LeBron says speculation about his future is last thing on his mind
MIAMI -- LeBron James knew about the NBA Draft lottery results and of Charles Barkley's latest comments regarding the King's future.
But James had little desire to discuss either following the Miami Heat's practice on Thursday.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft on Tuesday night, and the result immediately sparked banter about James possibly returning to his former team.
"I heard about it but I don't really have thoughts about it," said James, who can opt out of his Heat contract this offseason.
"I'm in the middle of the conference finals, I'm not worried about draft lotteries, draft conversations. That's the last thing on my mind."
The Heat and Indiana Pacers will play Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals at AmericanAirlines Arena on Saturday night. Miami tied the series by winning Game 2 on Tuesday night following the draft lottery.
Barkley, the former NBA star and current television analyst, said Wednesday that James should return to Cleveland, which will have its third No. 1 overall draft pick in the past four years.
Barkley also said the Cleveland fans were "real fans" unlike those in Miami.
"I didn't hear the comment but he said it before," James said. "I don't really have a comment on it. Cleveland has great fans, Miami has great fans -- I've always said that."
While his on-court priority is winning championships, James might not look at potential contenders the way fans and media do.
"We're not the most talented team, I don't think, in the NBA," James said. "There are other talented teams. We have some very, very high IQ basketball players. I think IQ is more important than talent."
What team or teams is more talented than Miami?
"I don't know," James said with a smile.
You can follow Charlie McCarthy on Twitter @mccarthy_chas or email him at mac1763@bellsouth.net.
