LeBron James Says Joakim Noah Went Too Far with In-Game Trash Talk

The Cavs-Bulls series remains a testy affair. Chicago took a 2-1 lead Friday night on a Derrick Rose buzzer-beater. The lingering feud between LeBron James and Joakim Noah remains something to keep an eye on going forward.

Via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, James said afterward that some of Noah’s in-game trash talk went too far, crossing a line.

"“I’m a father with three kids. It got very disrespectful,” James said. “I’m OK with competing against Jo. I love the competitive nature, but we should leave it there. The disrespectful words that he said to me were uncalled for.”"

James let his play do the talking, dunking on Noah in the third quarter. However he picked up a technical foul for his reaction.

"“The best way to retaliate is by making a play. That’s the only way I know how to resolve things is by making a play to help our team,” James said. “If it was the ’90s or ’80s, I would’ve been able to say what I had to say and move on. But I got the T. And I earned it.”"

For his part, Noah downplayed it and told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer he didn’t know what James was talking about.

All eyes will be on Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.