LeBron is ready for fouls and Soulja Boy
Posted by Jodie Valade, Plain Dealer Reporter April 23, 2008 15:04PM
LeBron James is gearing up for Thursday's Game 3 against the Washington Wizards by preparing for the worst: plenty of more hard fouls and probably lots of Soulja Boy echoing throughout the Verizon Center.
"If they hit us with a punch, we have to be able to counter their punch," James said Wednesday before realizing his choice of words and grinning. "Not literally. Let me change the wording. If they make a few shots, we have to counter their attack."
James said he was surprised that Wizards center Brendan Haywood was not suspended for the flagrant-2 foul he delivered in Game 2, and that Haywood never apologized for shoving him out of bounds when he was midair. Haywood told reporters in Washington that he apologized to James.
The physical play -- specifically the fouls aimed at James -- has been the focus of this series as Cavaliers coach Mike Brown and James have voiced concern for the Wizards' vocal intent to make each James basket difficult.
Officials monitored both sides closely in Game 2, with Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao earning a flagrant-1 foul for smacking Andray Blatche across the face. James said that was a loving caress compared to the treatment he's been receiving.
"There were no fouls that have been similar to what I've been taking," he said.
As for expected play of Soulja Boy by the Wizards, James said he's not practicing his Soulja Boy dance moves.
"I got my Roc Boys dance ready," James said.
Roc Boys, of course, is a song by James' favorite hip-hop artist, Jay-Z.
