LeBron James sends NBA fans into meltdown after interaction with Gary Payton was captured on live TV
NBA fans have been sent into a frenzy trying to figure out what ex-Lakers star Gary Payton said to LeBron James as he walked off court.
The LA Lakers were 11 points down at halftime against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals when James left the court on Thursday.
2
2
Video captured the smiling All-Star walking towards the locker rooms, when he passed former NBA star and Lakers player Payton who apparently had some thoughts on the game.
It's not clear what the 54-year-old said to James, but it stopped him in his tracks.
James didn't say anything in response but looked serious as he gave Payton a nod before continuing towards the lockers.
The interaction quickly went viral with more than a million views on Twitter.
Read More on the NBA
Many fans were quick to speculate what Payton said.
One fan said: "Love how he made sure he heard him."
Another said: "Warriors in 5."
Another said: "Come holla at me after the game."
Most read in Basketball
The former Lakers player Payton was on hand to watch his son, Gary Payton II, who's a shooting guard for the Warriors.
In Golden State's Game 1 loss, Payton II dunked on James in the third quarter.
As for Game 2, LeBron had 21 points in the first half and would only score two points in the last two quarters of the game.
Los Angeles would lose 127-100 to the Warriors as star Klay Thompson led the way with 30 points.
The series is now tied at 1 and Game 3 is set for Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena.
