Just days after he said that he saw some Miami Heat players crying in the locker room after the team's loss to the Chicago Bulls, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is now addressing the level of attention that his post-game comment received.
"This is a classic example of sensationalism, looking for a headline," said Spoelstra on Monday. "I really think you guys are probably reaching for this. Guys were very emotional about it in the locker room. Heads were down. I saw glossy eyes, but that's about it. I think everything else is probably an exaggeration."
Spoelstra also said on Monday that he didn't regret making the comment. He says that his comment was taken out of context, and he blames the media for blowing it out of proportion.
According to a report from ESPN.com, "Spoelstra said he wasn't aware that his reference to players crying was even a big deal until he was told by Heat media relations executive Tim Donovan that the issue had garnered national headlines."
The reactions to Spoelstra's 'crying comment' have been mixed. Some players, including Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, reportedly mocked Heat players after hearing of Spoelstra's comment. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, on the other hand, had this to say about the comment: "Everybody responds differently... If guys are crying in the locker room, guys are crying in the locker room. That doesn't mean they're chumps. That doesn't mean they're soft. It doesn't mean anything."
And as to whether the Heat players feel that Spoelstra violated their trust by making the comment that he made, Heat forward LeBron James said, "We stay together. Spo is the captain of this ship and we're behind whatever Spo says. It doesn't matter. Spo can go out there and say whatever he wants about the team, and we're going to stand behind him."
(Sources: ESPN.com)
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