Former NBA player Brandon Haywood, who once served as LeBron James’ teammate in Cleveland, has come forward to address the talks about the four-time NBA champion’s so-called lack of a “killer gene.”
In a recent interview on fubo Sports, Haywood passionately refuted the notion, sharing a remarkable anecdote that underscores James’ fearless approach in clutch moments.
“Playing with him in Cleveland showed me that all that nonsense, like Skip Bayless be talking ‘He don’t have the killer gene!’ Man, if you don’t shut your old ass up…” Haywood exclaimed, dismissing the baseless narrative.
Haywood then recounted a game-changing moment where James displayed remarkable leadership and decisiveness. “Do you remember the shot that LeBron hit against Jimmy Butler in Chicago to three in the corner? So Bron had actually been playing terrible down the stretch of that game – turnovers, missed some shots, free throws. Terrible.”
Despite a rough performance, James took charge in the game’s crucial huddle, overriding the coach’s play. Haywood added, “We get to the huddle and David Blatt draws the play ‘JR [Smith] you get right here and get the shot.’ I’ve never seen this [LeBron]. He said ‘Absolutely not!’ Grabs the clipboard, erases the play and just said ‘Alright, this is what we gonna run. You go here, you go here. Hey, I’mma fake this way, I will pop to the corner and give me the ball right there. I’mma hit the shot.’
“I’ve never seen somebody draw up their own game winner. Bron’s not scared of that moment. Will y’all stop with that narrative, bro.”
