Cavaliers' Jaylon Tyson apologizes to LeBron James after Donovan Mitchell comment goes viral

Jaylon Tyson apologizes to LeBron James

"There was no disrespect there," Tyson, who scored 20 points Wednesday, said (h/t Cleveland.com's Ethan Sands). "I didn't want to disrespect or step on anybody's toes. That's one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Obviously, I was a Cavs fan growing up because of [James]. I didn't want to take away [from] him, but I just wanted to give Don his flowers. That was my biggest goal in it. And if I offended anybody or anybody got mad about it, I'm sorry, I take responsibility, but I just wanted to give the man his flowers because we want to do the same that Bron and them did here. We want to do that with him as our leader."

The comment probably didn't offend James. He has heard worse throughout his 23-year career with the Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. The 21-time All-Star also knows Cleveland will always be home. 

Before the game, the Cavaliers played a tribute video for 41-year-old James in case it's his last game in Cleveland. It clearly touched the four-time NBA champion.

Mitchell, meanwhile, made sure to praise James while acknowledging he wants to help the franchise win its second championship. 

"At the end of the day, [James] laid the foundation," Mitchell said. "They've done a lot for the city, being from here. Obviously, you want to replicate that. You know what I'm saying? So he deserves the energy he's got here. At the end of the day, the first title in 50-something years. For us, we're trying to do — obviously differently — but like at the end of the day, we're trying to find ways to go out there and bring the city another championship."

Even if Mitchell and Co. accomplish that goal, there's only one king in Northeastern Ohio.