Griffin clarifies LeBron comments: We 'have a very positive relationship'

Former Cleveland Cavaliers and current New Orleans Pelicans executive David Griffin took to the media Friday in an effort to clarify perceived critical comments attributed to him about LeBron James.

In a story published Thursday, Griffin was quoted as saying he doesn't think James has been "the same animal anymore about winning" since the Cavs won their 2016 NBA championship.

Griffin maintains his words were taken out of context.

"The article doesn't give you the context that I was talking about at that particular point in time," Griffin said Friday on ESPN's "The Jump."

"This wasn't new information, it was just presented in such a way that made it sound like I'm currently saying that, and that is not at all what took place," he added, pointing out his concerns existed in the aftermath of the title.

"My belief at that time was there is no way anyone can be born in Akron, Ohio, deliver the first championship in 52 years to Cleveland, Ohio, and be the same human being," Griffin said. "... My fear at that time was that (James) wouldn't have that same animal-like desire to win. And what we've seen is he's gone to multiple Finals since, so it was an unfounded fear."

Griffin left the Cavs after the 2016-17 season when his contract expired. James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2018.

"It wasn't the man himself," Griffin said of James. "It was everything that came with a team led by LeBron James. It had nothing to do with being miserable with LeBron. We had and have a very positive relationship."

On Thursday, it was reported that James' camp was "shocked" by Griffin's comments in the article. The same day, James posted a cryptic tweet in which he stated, "Enough is enough."

Griffin took over the Pelicans in April, and in June dealt franchise cornerstone Anthony Davis to James' Lakers, satisfying a months-long trade request.