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Kobe Used LeBron's Cramps To Sell His Own Sports Drink

Kobe Is Trying To Make Money Off LeBron's Cramps
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Blog Editor, The Huffington Post

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat converse after a game at STAPLES Center on December 25, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

When LeBron James cramped up, Kobe Bryant saw an opportunity.

Bryant made a conspicuous pitch for sports drink BodyArmor on Instagram just hours after James was forced to leave Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Spurs late in the fourth quarter because of severe cramps. Earlier this year, Bryant told Forbes that he invested a "substantial" amount in the sports drink company.

"Pro and college players should be allowed to CHOOSE what sports drink hydrates them the best and not be FORCED to drink LEAGUE SPONSORS. #AthletesChoice 2 much on the line for cramping #UpgradeYourSportsDrink @drinkbodyarmor #AthletesFirst," Kobe wrote, managing to turn what could have just been some more LeBron trolling into a swipe at the NBA.

In a busy night for sports drinks on social media, the official @Gatorade account trolled James on Twitter following his exit.

@ryanbkoo The person cramping wasn't our client. Our athletes can take the heat.

— Gatorade (@Gatorade) June 6, 2014

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