"Anyone wouldn't want to be in that environment because it's toxic" - When LeBron admitted he was 'pissed' off by KD's comments

The start of the 2018-19 season had a new ring to it. After years of watching the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, there was one thing for certain: the 2019 NBA Finals would present a different matchup. While the world certainly wouldn’t have taken issue with another LeBron James-Kevin Durant Finals matchup, Bron was at odds trying to galvanize a young roster in Los Angeles. KD, meanwhile, was aiming for a three-peat.

Golden State’s title pursuit was jostled early in the season when No. 35 and teammate Draymond Green engaged in a scornful argument on the bench in November. While the teammates' harsh splitting opened the way for what most would describe as a “toxic” environment, Durant thought the more glaring toxicity was happening down south in L.A.

It depends on what kind of player you are...So much hype comes from being around LeBron from other people, Durant said . "He has so many fanboys in the media. Even the beat writers just fawn over him. I'm like, we're playing basketball here, and it's not even about basketball at certain points. So I get why anyone wouldn't want to be in that environment because it's toxic. Especially when the attention is bulls--t attention, fluff. It's not LeBron's fault at all; it's just the fact you have so many groupies in the media that love to hang on every word. Just get out of the way and let us play basketball ."

LeBron’s reaction

Even when it comes to things not directly related to him, the four-time MVP is often asked about his opinion. But now, this was unlike anything that James ever experienced. Sure, LBJ is the most scrutinized athlete maybe ever. But to hear his contemporary, his peer — a player he calls a friend — say that the environment around him is toxic completely blindsided the Lakers superstar.

"I was a little pissed off when I first heard it, to be honest," James said later in an interview . "I didn't know where it stemmed from. ... I was asked later on that night after our game, and I didn't want to comment because I didn't see it, I didn't hear [it]. ... I started UNINTERRUPTED for a reason, and I know how sound bites can be chopped and diced and things of that nature, so I wanted to get the whole layout of what actually happened."

It was just three weeks until LeBron and Kevin would face off in their first meeting of the season. And after a bombshell story like this, fans were intrigued by the two superstars’ reaction and the added edge the Lakers star would play with come Christmas day.

On the same day Durant’s comments were absorbed by the basketball world, LeBron went nuclear on the San Antonio Spurs with 42 points (20 in the fourth quarter) to go along with 3-7 shooting from the 3-point line — including a late launch from the hash mark that swirled Staples Center into a deafening roar. It was No. 23’s third-highest-scoring output of the season. Was he fueled by KD's comments earlier in the day? Maybe.

Related: "Young fella, you alright. Go sit back down. You good" - Jayson Tatum shares what Michael Jordan told him after a wine accident

The stars hashed it out

Later, in his interview with Rachel Nichols, James revealed that he had talked to the Warriors star on the phone and that they had to come to an understanding.

"Got a phone call from KD," he added . "He mentioned how he felt and how the story...how he felt the story took a twist. And as a man, I can't, I don't hold on to things—too long. I'm too happy in my life right now, and I don't hold on to anything that will take away from my happiness."

A part of James’ happiness was sparked by a late-career attempt at capturing another title. At the time, Los Angeles sat at No. 4 in the Western Conference with a 19-14 record. No. 23 had multiple masterpiece performances on the season as he juggled trying to lead by example and encouraging his young teammates to step up to the plate. Later in the month, despite losing James to a second-half injury, the Lakers marched into Oracle Arena and knocked off the back-to-back champs in a double-digit blowout.

Related: "How many people can relate to him on Earth?" - Kevin Durant on LeBron James setting the longevity standard