On Saturday, LeBron James said the New York Knicks "passed on a really good one" by drafting Frank Ntilikina instead of Dennis Smith Jr., and said the Mavs' rookie point guard "should be a Knick."
Knicks center Enes Kanter, among others, took those comments as a jab at Ntilikina, though LeBron today clarified that he meant it as a shot at former Knicks President Phil Jackson.
During today's shoot around at Madison Square Garden, LeBron addressed his comments about Dennis Smith Jr, telling reporters that he was "definitely" taking a shot at Jackson.
Per ESPN,
"Oh yeah, it's definitely a shot at him," James said. "That's for sure."
"Phil was just a small piece (of the Knicks' recent struggles)," James said. "Well he was a big piece of it, actually. I don't have no problem with the Knicks organization. I wasn't here so I don't know the insights and everything. ... Y'all know how they handled the Carmelo situation, but I'm not a fan of Phil Jackson, though. I think you guys already know that. Let's not -- that's the past though. He's not even here anymore."
Dennis Smith Jr. has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in this year's talented crop of rookie. The 6'2 point guard is currently averaging 14.8 points, 4.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds in roughly 29 minutes of action per night.
The Knicks will host LeBron and the Cavs tonight at Madison Sqaure Garden, their second meeting of the season. In their first matchup in Cleveland, the Knicks won easily, 114-95.