LeBron James. Image via: NBA.com
Clemons said the 41-year-old grabbed him after the collision and apologized. He also used the moment to talk about the grind of an 82-game season. In year 24, he said, he enjoys the small moments and the fans who support the team.
The fan, Troy Clemons, has since said what happened to the cup. He told ESPN’s Kris Rhim he did not keep it. He said he was glad James is in Philadelphia and was just there to enjoy the game. He said James is a man like anyone else, and a cup someone else drank from was not worth keeping. “I threw the cup in the trash,” he told Rhim. James said he had spilled some of the wine, so he wanted to know if it was worth it. It is a “long marathon,” he said, and players who never find ways to have fun will wear down.
James had his own explanation after the game, and it came with a point about the length of the season. The video spread fast on social media, and ESPN tracked down Clemons after the game. James took the cup, sipped from it, handed it back and ran onto the court. The spill did not bother Clemons. He then got himself another drink. His review was lukewarm.
The 22-time All-Star finished with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting, seven rebounds, nine assists and one steal. At 7-1, the 76ers are tied for the best record in the NBA. They open a three-game road trip Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The Sixers held Chicago to few second-chance points, he said, which let them run. The fun cost Philadelphia nothing on the floor. Most of his impact came as a passer. Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Dean Wade all had success. James credited the defense. ET against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.