LeBron lifts media blackout to call Chris Paul

FILE - In this April 5, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, front, is fouled by Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Sunday in Cleveland. On Monday, May 4, 2015, the Cavaliers, missing two starters, will open their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals against a confident and finally healthy Chicago team looking to exact some revenge on James, who has eliminated them from the NBA playoffs three times since 2010. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

By Associated Press May 4, 2015 3 min read

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) – LeBron James lifted his personal media boycott during the playoffs to phone a friend.

Cleveland’s superstar does everything he can to block out distractions during the postseason: turning off his cellphone, avoiding Twitter and watching NBA games only with the sound muted.

But he made an exception on Saturday, when close friend Chris Paul made a game-winning layup in the final seconds of Game 7 to send the Los Angeles Clippers past the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.

“I called him from my wife’s phone,” James said following Monday’s shootaround as the Cavs prepared to face Chicago in the Eastern Conference semifinals. “He answered the phone and was like ‘Wassup?’ I told him ‘don’t say nothing, you’re not allowed to reply, you’re not allowed to say anything.’ I told him how amazing he was and how great he was and I hung up on him.

“I haven’t spoken to him since, it’s the truth.”