LeBron James believes that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce didn't just become members of the Brooklyn Nets when they left Boston. James contends they also became hypocrites.
Speaking to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com before Miami and Brooklyn's preseason game at the Barclays Center on Thursday night, the four-time MVP called out KG and Pierce for departing Boston a year after they criticized Allen for doing the same thing.
"I think the first thing I thought was, 'Wow, Ray got killed for leaving Boston, and now these guys are leaving Boston.' I think it's OK; I didn't mind it," James said. "But there were a couple guys who basically [expletive] on Ray for leaving, and now they're leaving."
After the 2011-12 season, Allen, a free agent at the time, chose to take less money from the Heat instead of what the Celtics had offered and joined James and Dwyane Wade.
Before last season started, Garnett said he cut off communication with Allen. When the Celtics and Heat played in the season opener last year, Garnett snubbed his former teammate. Pierce said he was "a little bitter" about Allen's departure.
Pierce and Garnett, along with guard Jason Terry, were traded to Brooklyn during the 2013 offseason. Garnett had to waive his no-trade clause for the deal to be completed.
UPDATE: Garnett and Pierce responded to James' comments.
"Tell LeBron to worry about Miami. It has nothing to do with Celtic business," Garnett said, via Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com. Pierce made it clear that he had been traded and didn't leave Boston via free agency.
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