Game time: LeBron gave teammates Apple watches before NBA Finals

Back in Michael Jordan’s time, when Chicago Bulls were in the NBA Finals, they often punctuated huddles with a call-and-response cheer: What time is it? answered with a hearty GAME TIME! and a woof.

LeBron James knows that there’s no time for all that in this day and age. His teammates need to know the time, all the time. To that end, LeBron treated his Cavalier teammates to a bevy of gifts, including Apple watches, before the NBA Finals, according to NEOMG’s Chris Haynes.

LeBron reportedly gathered the team at their Bay Area hotel, rented out a lounge, and gave an address about the coming challenges that the Finals would bring. He spoke of adversity, seen and unseen, and of the importance of staying together no matter what.

Perhaps most importantly, there were gifts. Per Haynes:

When James concluded his address, he shifted the tone of the meeting to a looser, more casual setting. He arranged for food, music was blasting and he even brought in a barber for players to get haircuts.

The team relaxed and talked about family, the news and just life in general. This was his way of easing any pre-Finals tension they might have had.

But before they went their separate ways that night of the meeting, James had another surprise. He gave them all brand new Apple watches.

The gifts are a treat, and multiple players commented on how much James takes care of his teammates.

“He’s one hell of a teammate,” [Tristan] Thompson said. “He takes care of his team. He takes care of us with Beats, Samsungs. Everything that he’s part of that he can give for the team, he’s done that all the time and it shows how much he cares for us.”

“Look, LeBron is probably the greatest player in the world who gives out gifts like it’s candy,” [Brendan Haywood] said. “We look forward to it every single time.”

In a wrinkle that is too good to be made up, J.R. Smith sounded the most excited out of everyone. He has a player option for next season, and while a post-receiving-Apple-watch comment should not be taken as an oral contract, some free swag can’t hurt his chances of staying in Cleveland.

“I don’t know how he does it, but every day it’s something different,” Smith said with a laugh. “Watches, sneakers, Beats [headphones], hoodies, book-bags. Man, I can’t wait to come back next year. I want to see what we’re getting next year.”

With three more wins over the Golden State Warriors, the Cavs can get some rings to go with those watches. Here’s hoping LeBron picked out timepieces that go nicely with fat gold rings.