NBA notebook: LeBron calls Philadelphia visit rumor 'disgusting'
Days after a series of billboards in the Cleveland area pushed for LeBron James to leave town for the Philadelphia 76ers this summer in free agency, the Cavaliers star was the subject of a Philly report saying he was looking into private schools in the area over the All-Star break.
"I've told this to a few other people, and I have no problem saying this," 76ers TV analyst Alaa Abdelnaby said Tuesday on Philly Sports Talk . "My brother lives in the Philadelphia area and he told me that LeBron, last week through a superintendent, was in the area checking out some private schools during the All-Star break."
Later Thursday at the Cavaliers' team shootaround, reporters asked the 33-year-old superstar about the Philly report.
"Pennsylvania? Nah. What are you talking about," he said. "Over the All-Star break, I was on vacation and then went to Los Angeles."
Cleveland.com reports that after the formal media session, James labeled the report "disgusting."
--The Cavaliers suspended guard JR Smith for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers for "detrimental conduct."
Coach Tyronn Lue said Smith was suspended for something that happened after morning shootaround, but didn't offer specifics. He added that Smith will be ready for practice Friday and return for the team's game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Rodney Hood will start in Smith's place against the Sixers.
Smith is averaging 8.3 points and 1.9 assists in 59 games (56 starts) this season. The 32-year-old has seen his playing time dip in the team's last three games, getting a season-low 15 minutes on the court against the Memphis Grizzlies last Friday.
--Ante Zizic is back with the Cavaliers after being recalled from the Canton Charge following his one-game stint with the Cavs' NBA G League squad.
Zizic scored 15 points and had 13 rebounds in Wednesday's 96-93 victory for Canton against the Maine Red Claws. The center is averaging 16.2 points, 9.4 boards and 1.1 blocks in 17 games with the Charge this season.
The 21-year-old has appeared in 16 games with Cleveland this season, averaging 1.1 points and 1.1 boards over three minutes per game. Zizic was acquired in the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics last offseason.
--Field Level Media
