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LeBron James is arguably the greatest player in NBA history. The King is also one of the smartest players in the league and is known for keeping his composure under pressure. Despite being under intense scrutiny since his time as a talented teenager, LeBron has dealt with the attention expertly.
5 Times LeBron James lost his cool on the basketball court
It is unusual to see LeBron James fail to maintain his composure, but after 17 years in the NBA, there are a few instances where the superstar has tangled with rivals, referees, or even a teammate.
We look at five times LeBron James lost his cool on the court.
LeBron James gets heated after Kyle Lowry's shove
LeBron James dominated the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Playoffs during his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The King and his Cavs eliminated the Raptors in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals before repeating the feat in the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs.
A year later, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs and held a 2-0 lead as the series moved to the Cavs' Quicken Loans Arena.
The Cavaliers dominated the first half of Game 3, but Toronto mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter and drew level. With seven minutes left on the clock, LeBron was called for a foul as he tracked Kyle Lowry's drive.
Lowry hooked the King's arm and shoved him to the floor, even though the referee had already made the call and play had been stopped. LeBron didn't appreciate the unnecessary display of physicality, and his teammates were forced to step in and prevent the situation from getting out of hand.
James, however, had the last laugh as he scored 38 points and hit the game-winning shot to put the series 3-0 in Cleveland's favor.
Also Read: Michael Jordan vs Lebron James Stats, Accolades & Net Worth
LeBron James gets into Mario Chalmers' face
LeBron James has been recognized as a great teammate and is well respected among his teammates. However, during his stint with the Miami Heat, James almost got into a fight with his own teammate, right in the middle of a game.
Mario Chalmers and LeBron James had a strong relationship during their time with the Miami Heat. James was often seen giving instructions to Chalmers from the bench and during defensive switches.
Also Read: Who is LeBron James Jr? All you need to know
However, during a game against their Eastern Conference rivals Indiana Pacers in the 2013-14 NBA season, Chalmers and James got into an argument during a timeout. Teammates were forced to hold LeBron back and stop the argument from escalating.
The tension was short-lived, as James quickly apologized to Chalmers during the same game.
LeBron James and the scuffle against the New York Knicks
LeBron James uncharacteristically acted as instigator and courted controversy with the New York Knicks in 2017. In an interview, James claimed the franchise should have selected Dennis Smith Jr. in the 2017 NBA Draft with the eighth pick instead of Frank Ntilikina.
While LeBron James' comments were directed as praise for Smith, they were critical of the Knicks, their president Phil Jackson (who had previously referred to James' inner circle as a 'posse'), and young Ntilikina.
During the next game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks, the King got into a scuffle with Ntilikina, who pushed James following an alley-oop dunk. Things got heated, and Enes Kanter squared up to LeBron as the scuffle threatened to blow up.
LeBron James vs. Draymond Green in the 2016 NBA Finals
The 2016 NBA Finals will always be remembered for LeBron James' and the Cavs' come back from 3-1 down against the Golden State Warriors.
The turning point in the series came in Game 4, as the Warriors were ready to win at the Quicken Loans Arena and establish a commanding 3-1 lead.
Late in the fourth quarter, LeBron James and Draymond Green got into an argument which ultimately ended with Green being suspended for the pivotal Game 5. The Warriors star was accused of trying to hit James in the groin and was hit with a Flagrant Foul 1 (which was his fourth of the 2016 NBA Playoffs, resulting in a one-game ban).
LeBron James and JR Smith's disaster in the 2018 NBA Finals
In the first game of the 2018 NBA Finals against Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James had one of the greatest performances in NBA Playoff history, scoring 51 points.
A great pass from James to George Hill sent the point guard to the FT line with less than five seconds left in the game and the Cavs down by a single point. Hill tied the game with the first free-throw but missed his second attempt.
JR Smith grabbed the offensive rebound but forgot that scores were level. Assuming the Cavs were ahead, Smith dribbled the clock out. LeBron James was distraught and cut an angry on the Cavs' bench before the team lost in overtime.
After losing Game 4, LeBron James revealed to the media that he had a fracture in his right hand, which was sustained after punching a whiteboard in the aftermath of the Game 1 loss.
Also read: New York Knicks 'All In' on Russell Westbrook Trade if the Price is Right
