LeBron James is a three-time champion of the National Basketball Association and the face of the league, but he met his match in gamesmanship off the playing field in Nick Saban’s presser on Tuesday.
After being hit with a cease and desist letter from James’ legal team for the show ‘Shop Talk,’ the University of Alabama football coach was asked on his thoughts about the situation. While he considers James to be a great player, Saban isn’t backing down from having fun with his guys.
“There have been at least 20 barbershop type things on TV,” Saban said. “I didn’t know anybody owned that, I didn’t know he had one. I’m sorry anyone could be offended by something that we were just having fun with. I enjoyed it and we are going to continue to do it.”
The first episode of Shop Talk was released to Twitter last week, and it featured former players like Julio Jones, Ryan Anderson and Eddie Jackson discussing various topics. For a coach that’s known for intensity, the show brings out a lighter side of Saban as he reminisces on special moments.
While James’ pockets are not losing sleep from Alabama’s version of a barbershop conversation looking similar to his via Uninterrupted, it’s interesting how the 15-year veteran wants to be a trend setter on everything. Unfortunately, battling against a culture like Crimson Tide football is never an easy opponent. Saban is continuing his operation and James will have to deal with it.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
