National Basketball Association

Shannon Sharpe: LeBron's water bottle game was 'blatantly disrespectful' to the Knicks

Published Dec. 14, 2016 8:31 a.m. ET

Nick Schwartz

The Cleveland Cavaliers blew out the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden Wednesday night, and to pass the time in the fourth quarter, a few Cavaliers starters decided to play the "water bottle challenge" on the bench. LeBron James' attempt slid onto the court in the middle of the game, and he had to launch out of his chair to pick it up.

It's fair to assume the typically ultra-professional James might have been sending a message to Knicks president Phil Jackson, who recently issued a non-apology over his controversial "posse" remark. James said after the game that he was simply trying to have fun.

On Thursday's episode of Undisputed, Shannon Sharpe said LeBron was "blatantly disrespectful" in order to send a message.

“’Bron wanted to give it to Phil Jackson so bad. Because the one thing I know about athletes, when they’re upset at something you’ve said or something you’ve done to them, and they get a chance to get back at you… not only was LeBron trying to be disrespectful, he was openly and blatantly disrespectful.

’This is what I think of you, Phil Jackson, and your team. Me and my teammates, Kyrie, Kevin Love, we’re gonna sit out the entire fourth quarter, and we’re gonna flip the bottle.’”