The NBA has been a league of stars for decades, but the 2018-2019 season is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in recent memory. With LeBron James joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Kawhi Leonard traded to Toronto, and Kevin Durant signing with Golden State, there are plenty of new faces in new places.
The love fest is a term that refers to an event where people are in good spirits. However, the It Wasn’t Gonna Be No Love Fest is when someone has bad intentions.
Opposing players have tried to get under the skin of every NBA great. In fact, LeBron James is all too familiar with the tale. James has had plenty of rivals during his career, from DeShawn Stevenson to Lance Stephenson to even Jae Crowder.
However, James had one of his most heated on-court feuds with former Chicago Bulls big man Joakim Noah, who didn’t seem to mind that James was the greatest player in the league. Every time they played, the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year went for LBJ, and his competitive fire led in some heated battles.
Noah recently spoke out about his struggles with James, and he explained why he never gave up on The King.
The NBA rivalry between LeBron James and Joakim Noah was fierce.
Joakim Noah joined the NBA a few years after LeBron James, when he was selected ninth overall in the 2007 draft by the Chicago Bulls, after James was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
As the Bulls met the Cavs in the 2010 playoffs, Noah got familiar with James and vice versa in his third season.
The Cavaliers cruised to victory in the series, winning in five games, but Noah went off on Cleveland after Game 1, declaring that it “sucks.” He then went on to make one of the most infamous remarks in NBA history.
“It appeals to you?” Do you consider Cleveland to be cool? According to ESPN, he stated during a news conference, “I never heard anyone say, ‘I’m going to Cleveland on vacation.” “What is it about Cleveland that is so appealing?”
The animosity between Noah and James followed LBJ to the Miami Heat. It lasted even when he returned to Cleveland, his final destination, in 2014.
During the 2014-15 playoffs, James dunked on Noah, and he subsequently claimed that the big man made improper comments, prompting him to retaliate with the slam.
“As a competitor, I like his passion. According to Cleveland.com, James stated, “I appreciate his passion, but I believe the words he spoke to me were a little bit too far.” “I’m a parent of three children. It became really rude. It’s OK with me if I have to compete with Jo. I like his competitive spirit, but we should leave it at that. Because his rude comments to me were uncalled for, the best way to respond is to play.”
Noah, on the other hand, shrugged it aside.
According to Cleveland.com, he replied, “Disrespectful?” “I have a lot of respect for LeBron James. We’re simply two competitors attempting to win a game. That is all there is to it. I have no idea what he’s talking about. I’m simply trying to help my team win games.”
Former Bulls player Derrick Rose discussed his rivalry with LeBron James.
On May 15, 2011, during the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron James (center) of the Miami Heat reacts while Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls looks on. | Getty Images/Gregory Shamus
Joakim Noah resigned from the NBA in March 2021, but he recently spoke about his feud with LeBron James on the Knuckleheads with Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles podcast.
On the Sept. 7 show, he stated, “Any time we faced the Miami Heat or Cleveland, every team that LeBron was on, it was always a battle.” “Those were the games you circled on the schedule when you penciled them in.”
Noah said that he still receives vitriol from Cleveland fans, but he just wanted people to know that he will not back down.
“LeBron is a fantastic player, and I just wanted everyone to know we were going to go after him when we played against him,” he added. “This wasn’t going to be a love fest.” I despised that love fest nonsense. That nonsense drove me insane. And competition isn’t always beautiful, which I believe is part of what people like about it. It isn’t always conducive to bringing out the best in you. It’s not always pretty. … People often say things like, “You’re a hater,” and so on. No, all I wanted was to win.”
Noah’s mentality made him one of the most ferocious opponents on the floor. He and James, on the other hand, are unlikely to get into it again very soon.
Joakim Noah says he’s different now that he’s retired.
Noah is no longer antagonizing his opponents, despite his reputation. In retirement, he’s attempting to do the exact opposite.
On Knuckleheads, he stated, “Now I’m about trying to accomplish stuff with [bringing] people together.” “Competition is no longer an issue. It’s not the same at all. I can’t compete with folks in my neighborhood. I’m not interested in competing with my friends.”
On the court, Noah and James used to fight, but those brawls are now a part of NBA legend. Maybe they’ll be able to put their disagreements aside and get together in Cleveland shortly.
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