LeBron jokes that new teammate Marc Gasol robbed him of Defensive Player of the Year in 2013
LeBron James is excited to have Marc Gasol as a teammate for the upcoming season, but while discussing his happiness with the Lakers signing the veteran point guard this offseason, LeBron could not resist taking a light-hearted shot at the guy he feels robbed him of the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2013.
"Happy to have Marc, another champion," LeBron said on an episode of "Road Trippin'." "Won it with the Raptors two years ago, who I've always loved. Marc has my Defensive Player of the Year trophy at his house but that's nor here nor there."
Gasol won the DPOY when he was the defensive anchor for the Memphis Grizzlies, beating out LeBron, who would have to settle for only winning both the regular season and Finals MVP for the Miami Heat. LeBron has long contended he deserved to win DPOY at least once in his career and 2013 is the season he feels he was most deserving.
Of course, considering that LeBron is the reigning champion, he's not too bitter about the whole ordeal and he made it clear that he was only joking about any potential beef with his new center.
"I love you, Marc," LeBron said. "I can't wait to talk about this."
While it's unlikely that Gasol will hand over his DPOY trophy to LeBron, he may be able to help him win a fifth title as the Lakers attempt to repeat this upcoming season. Gasol may not be the defensive force he was in his prime, but he still can be an invaluable defensive weapon for a team that lost Dwight Howard and traded away JaVale McGee this offseason.
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