(SP) – LeBron James’ run to his latest NBA Finals appearance has hit its first speed bump. The superstar has been accused of mistreating two innocent boys while the Cavaliers were playing in Boston earlier this week.
“Obviously, we take accusations like this very seriously and are looking into them,” read a statement from Cavaliers GM David Griffin. “We will have further comments after we have all the facts.”
According to more than 17,000 witnesses, James repeatedly humiliated the youngsters on two separate occasions last week.
Because the victims are assumed to be minors, their names have not been disclosed. But witnesses say the one is a “fresh-faced lad who could be no more than 13 or 14” who coaches the Celtics. The other: “a tiny child who is so little he just lost his first tooth.” The latter child is said to be so humiliated that he has quit the sport of basketball indefinitely.
If true, the incidents would greatly tarnish the reputation James has created over his career that has been above reproach off the court. However, the Cavaliers star says he is innocent of the charges.
“I have no idea what any of this is about,” he said. “If I accidentally ran over some little kids or something while I was playing, I apologize. But they shouldn’t be out on the court with grown men.”
