James ready to answer Magic’s summer criticism

Associated Press

MIAMI

LeBron James gave a sympathetic nod to his past, then looked eagerly toward his immediate future.

First, quiet words of support for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Then, a not-so-subtle message sent to the Orlando Magic.

After the Miami Heat beat his former Cleveland franchise on Monday night, James offered a reminder that he’s still scorned by things that were said about him last summer when he left the Cavaliers and joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Florida.

But the target wasn’t Cleveland — where people burned his jerseys.

It was Orlando — the franchise that questioned his competitiveness.

So when the Heat next play Thursday at the Magic, chances are it’ll be a game that has a little bit of extra meaning for both sides.

“The simple fact that it’s a division opponent, that means a lot,” James said. “Trying to win your division is very key. And also playing exceptionally well on the road is definitely key. That definitely helps later on in the season.

“And being an Orlando team that basically said a lot of things about us in the offseason, that definitely adds a little bit to the fire.”

What James was referring to was the back-and-forth sparked by something Magic President Otis Smith said last July, just after the three stars aligned in Miami.

Smith’s quote: “I thought he was, I guess, more of a competitor.”

Heat President Pat Riley responded by saying that was an “absolutely stupid” remark.

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy jumped in by wondering why Riley thought it was his place to make moral judgments.

By the time the teams actually got around to playing in October, things cooled to a simmer, though James’ comment Monday night served notice that all has not been forgotten.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge,” James said.

Miami will take a 3 1/2-game lead in the Southeast Division over the Magic into Thursday’s matchup. Both teams are off until then. It’ll be the third meeting of the season; the first two were split, each club winning at home.

It’s a big game, if for no other reason than Miami has lost nine of its last 11 games in Orlando.

“Should be fun,” James said.

The fact that James had some sharp words to say after Monday’s game was no surprise.

The fact that he didn’t direct them toward Cleveland was.

James had plenty of opportunities to kick the downtrodden franchise he scorned last summer, both before and after the Heat sent the Cavaliers to their 21st straight loss. Instead, he wished the fans and the franchise well and said he carried no ill will for how the aftermath of “The Decision” played out.