INDEPENDENCE: LeBron James was in no mood Thursday to elaborate on his random tweet or his quick trip to Florida during the Cavaliers’ time off this week. James offered a terse “no” when asked if he wanted to explain the tweet and offered only that it wasn’t aimed at a teammate or anyone else within the Cavs’ organization.
“It’s ok to know you’ve made a mistake. Cause we all do at times,” James wrote on his Twitter account Tuesday. “Just be ready to live with whatever that comes with it and be with those who will protect you at all cost!”
As for his quick trip to Miami to soak in sun and spend time with former Heat teammate Dwyane Wade, James said he understood why the trip could cause consternation among fans given his four years playing for the Heat.
“I don’t care [if people are upset],” James said. “I would love to go to L.A., but I’ll take 2½ (hour flight) over 4½. I’ve got a house in L.A., but it makes more sense for me to go south than go west. But I go because I want to.”
James posted a picture with trainer David Alexander to his Instagram account, and Alexander later posted a video of James and Wade working out together this week. The Cavs took two days off because they don’t play again until Friday.
James sold his Miami mansion prior to the start of the season but still makes routine trips there. He spent time there last season when he took two weeks off in the middle of the season to rest knee and back injuries.
“We worked together [Wednesday] and that’s it,” Wade told Miami reporters. “That’s one of my best friends so it’s not odd.”
James also discussed the play of the Cavs, the performance of Tyronn Lue and any firm plans to sit out games in the future (there isn’t one), but seemed annoyed by questions regarding the tweet and his trip to Miami.
“That’s cool? I’m OK to leave when I want to leave?” James said as he concluded his availability. “Be back at my work on time, two hours before? OK. Last one to leave the gym. OK. Thank you. Love you guys.”
Lue said there are no plans as of now to rest James or anyone else, although that remains the goal for the final six weeks of the regular season.
The Cavs have four sets of back-to-backs in the next two weeks, providing ample chances to rest guys. Lue said he won’t settle on his playoff rotation until the final six or seven games of the season — when most postseason teams rest their starters the most.
“My whole thing is going into the playoffs you want to be on a good roll and playing good going into the playoffs, so, that’s my thought, that’s my philosophy,” Lue said. “We’ll still get guys rest when we have the chance to.”
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.