LeBron James playfully mocked the University of Michigan and coach Jim Harbaugh during a press conference after the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Phoenix Suns. James referenced Michigan’s college football sign-stealing scandal and joked that his team was able to decode the Suns coach’s signals without getting suspended like “that team up north.”

NEW DELHI: NBA star LeBron James playfully mocked the University of Michigan and coach Jim Harbaugh during a press conference after the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Phoenix Suns. James, a native of Ohio and a fan of Michigan’s rival, Ohio State, took a lighthearted jab at the Wolverines in light of their college football sign-stealing scandal.

After the Lakers’ win, James mentioned that they were able to decode some of the Suns coach Frank Vogel’s signals on the sideline due to their familiarity with him from his time coaching the Lakers during their 2020 NBA title win

James humorously added, “The best thing about tonight is we were able to get those signals, and we’ll still be able to play on Sunday. We won’t get suspended, like that team up north.”
The reference to “that team up north” alludes to the University of Michigan, which is facing repercussions from the Big Ten Conference. Coach Jim Harbaugh has been banned from coaching in the remaining three regular-season games due to a sign-stealing scheme.
This disciplinary action comes as Michigan, with a 9-0 record and a No. 2 ranking, is pursuing a third consecutive Big Ten title and the school’s first national championship since 1997. The ban on Harbaugh adds an extra layer of challenge to their upcoming game against No. 9 Penn State.