“LeBron James is cheap”. Did you ever imagine you’d ever come across such a line? Seems most unlikely, but hold on! There’s a story behind such a claim (of course!). Bron is infamous for being tight about his money. Talk about a billionaire. Now, a random blast from the past has emerged and we’re getting a glimpse of the so-called ‘cheap’ LeBron James.

Ty Lue, Bron’s close friend and ex-head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers appeared on the Draymond Green Show. The legendary coach shared a story from his Cavs days when he experienced LeBron James’ major concern despite winning the championship. Lue asked Draymond: “You know how cheap LeBron is?” Green agreed, saying: “Oh man! Golly!”

Then the LA Clippers HC narrated: “We win a championship you know, Game 7 (2016 NBA Finals). I go open the ceiling the money still, it’s like 4700 or something like that right? So, s**t, I pocket, you know what I’m saying? And so Bron- we, they throwing champagne. So Bron’s like “Hey Ty Lue where’s that money at man?” I said, Man, I went up there it’s missing, I don’t know where. We just won a championship and he’s worried about $200.”

Huh! LeBron James had to worry about two hundred dollars? Oh boy! Now it’s clear where the ‘cheap’ accusations are coming from! Besides, Bron himself confirmed he’s the cheapest player in the NBA. In 2017 his Miami Heat teammate Dwayne Wade talked about how Bron wouldn’t use his phone if there was no wi-fi.

James Sr. bluntly replied: “No, I’m not doing that. I’m not turning on data roaming. I’m not buying no apps. I still got Pandora with commercials. … I’m not.” Well, Demetris Nichols had to intervene to remind Bron: “You know you’re rich, right?” However, adamant on his stance, the LA Lakers superstar responded: “I’m not paying for it. I’m not paying.”

Now, coming back to Ty Lue’s experience with LeBron James’ cheapness, let’s dig into the story a bit more.

LeBron James’ $200 worries have an interesting back story as Ty Lue narrates

The 2016 NBA Finals is meant for the history books. Seven games of sheer rivalry and basketball madness. The then-defending champions Golden State Warriors were facing off the fierce Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James at the peak of his gameplay had literally harassed his opponents with his attacks. But well, Stephen Curry was nothing less. However, the game dragged to a decisive Game 7 saw the champions of the East become the champions of the league for the first time. Thus, Ty Lue broke Cleveland’s curse in a moment meant to be etched in the walls of time.

Ty Lue picked his 2009 Lakers coach Doc Rivers’ tactic. After winning Game 5 against the Warriors, Lue came into the locker room and asked everyone to give him $200. He told them that he’d wrap it up and put it in the ceiling. So, after winning the decisive game, the Cavs became the rightful champs of the league and the HC returned to the locker room to get the money. Everyone is popping champagne and celebrating the moment, except LeBron. What was he doing? Going around his HC asking about his $200.

Seriously, that has to be the most hilarious story you’d ever hear about a billionaire like Bron. And as we said this wasn’t his first time going around saving his money. Now, he’s 40 and playing his 22nd season, who knows if he’s as ‘cheap’ as he used to be back in the day?