LeBron James Says He's Focused on Pistons, Not Stan Van Gundy Saying He's Favored By Refs

Before Game 1 of DET-CLE playoff series, Van Gundy said LeBron gets away with many calls.

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Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy isn't the first NBA coach, and certainly won't be the last among people who watch NBA games, that LeBron James is made an exception by officials on violations made during games.

On Sunday before the tip-off of Game 1 in the Detroit-Cleveland first-round playoff series, Van Gundy made a smug comment to a sideline reporter that "LeBron's LeBron, and he's not going to be called for offensive foul calls" during games.

 

On Monday, Van Gundy was fined $25,000 by the NBA for his criticism of the officiating and LeBron during games.

Earlier today, LeBron was asked about his thoughts on Van Gundy throwing shade on the officiating, and if he is going to use this as a personal vendetta against Van Gundy going into Game 2, as well as the rest of the series. LeBron decried this notion, citing that he's focused on beating the Pistons as a team— not just the "Stan's" (including the emergence of Pistons guard Stanley Johnson) on their squad.

LeBron is 17-22 when facing Van Gundy-coached teams throughout his playoff career. But if he beats the Pistons, those are two less Stans he's gotta worry about going into the second round of the playoffs.

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[via CBSSports]

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