Unusually high temperatures due to the air conditioning being out at the AT&T Center in San Antonio caused players, fans and the media to be all kinds of uncomfortable Thursday night at Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The biggest storyline from the game, a Spurs 110-95 victory, was LeBron James’ early exit – not due to foul trouble but because of cramping.
James has a history of dehydration and cramping. And like many, he’s all about routine. So when he asked out a couple times, including the third quarter when he typically plays all 12 minutes, it was obvious that the heat was bothering him.
At one point in the second half, ESPN’s Doris Burke reported that her thermometer read 88 degrees.
In the fourth quarter, he checked back in with 4:33 to play. On their first offensive possession, he drove to the rack and scored over Boris Diaw … and that would be his last contribution of the night. After he came down, he tightened up and couldn’t move. He would need assistance to the bench and later received two and half bags of IV.
The Internet jumped on James for not being able to finish the game. I’m not one to judge because I’ve never experienced anything similar. In Miami’s quest to 3-peat, you’re telling me he’s not going to try to finish the game if he could? Heat coach Erik Spoelstra made the right move by telling James his night was over.
The tweets of Gatorade, an official NBA sponsor, caught my attention late Thursday night. While not “public” tweets, their replies clowned on James, playing on the storyline like so many others.
@LazyBumDrew we were waiting on the sidelines, but he prefers to drink something else.
— Gatorade (@Gatorade) June 6, 2014
Well, that’s not exactly true. Though James has an endorsement deal with Powerade, he drinks Gatorade during games.
The home team provides Gatorade, water and soft drinks to the visitors. If an individual has a specific drink of choice, the team is sure to travel with it.
For New York’s Carmelo Anthony, that’s FIJI water. That’s all I have ever seen him drink. For some others, it’s Red Bull.
For James, it’s tall lemon lime Gatorade with the twist caps. Remember those? Miami is always sure to travel with a case of them.
Because of his endorsement deal with Powerade, ball boys are instructed to rip off the label before it is taken to the bench. What James is drinking is, in fact, Gatorade. Players can drink whatever they want on the bench but only Gatorade can be seen during big games.
You also may notice that whenever James sits down for a postgame press conference, a staffer removes the bottle of Gatorade that is present for most other players and coaches.
James’ teammate, Dwyane Wade, and Indiana’s Paul George are Gatorade spokesman.
Another tweet from Gatorade:
@ryanbkoo The person cramping wasn’t our client. Our athletes can take the heat.
— Gatorade (@Gatorade) June 6, 2014
Kinetico is the official water of the Pacers. That’s the water they drink and provide to the visiting team as well as the media. During nationally televised games, the labels must be ripped off. Players may still drink the water, or an energy supplement drink typically mixed in by the strength coach or interns, but the bottle must be label-free.
While a bit funny, Gatorade’s likely regretting tweets made from their official social media account. (They issued an apology on Friday). Not only because they are the official sponsor of the league and it’s not a good look, but also because it may hurt a future deal should they want a relationship with James.
Then again, money rules.