Count LeBron among those who hate sleeved jerseys

It wasn't the removal of his protective mask that caused LeBron James and the Miami Heat to struggle against the San Antonio Spurs.

No, it was the addition of a few inches of fabric, covering from the midway point of the clavicle, over the acromion and down to the long head of the biceps. Blame it on the sleeves.

James became the latest in a growing line of NBA stars to express their displeasure with the league's new sleeved jerseys which, of course, aren't going anywhere because money talks.

"I'm not making excuses, but I'm not a big fans of the jerseys," James said Thursday. "Every time I shoot it feels like it's just pulling right up underneath my arm. I already don't have much room for error on my jump shot. It's definitely not a good thing."

The league, however, has not found a difference in shooting percentages in games where sleeves are worn, and there is "enormous demand" for the jerseys. James will just have to deal and find a way around the 6-of-18 shooting night. While he looked just fine on Christmas Day, for example, shooting 7-of-14 for 19 points in a win, he is shooting just 3-of-25 outside of four feet while wearing sleeved jerseys and is yet to hit a three.

"I have to figure something out the next time I have to wear them," he said, though this wasn't the first time he's complained or been forced to wear the new threads. Adapt or die.