LeBron James says it sucks he dunked on Ben McLemore

Dec 20, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) dunks the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

When the Sacramento Kings drafted Ben McLemore with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, few people were more excited than LeBron James, strangely enough.

The Miami Heat superstar was stunned the former Kansas product slipped in the draft, suggesting that NBA front offices were ‘sleeping’ on McLemore and suggested Sacramento was going to be a perfect fit for the rookie thanks to the Kings’ coaching staff. And he should know, considering he spent time working with both head coach Michael Malone and assistant Chris Jent in Cleveland.

So it came with a bit of disappointment on Friday night that it was McLemore who James baptized with a ferocious dunk, leading the MVP to suggest he wished it hadn’t been the rookie who he dunked on:

"LeBron on his dunk over Ben McLemore: “It sucks that it was him because I like him.”"

In fairness to McLemore, he was simply standing his ground attempting to draw a charge – more than a lot of players would do with James barreling towards them.

Assuming you somehow missed the throwdown, enjoy (or more likely, cringe):

http://youtu.be/1DQBldMETbA