LeBron: 'I definitely didn't start the superteam'

LeBron James, having already denied ever playing on a superteam, doesn't agree with Draymond Green's declaration - made at the Golden State Warriors' title parade, of all places - that James brought superteams to the NBA.

James and Green exchanged words and Instagram posts Thursday while the Warriors held their championship celebration in downtown Oakland, marking their second title in three years off the Cleveland Cavaliers. Green mocked James for "starting the superteam" in his speech.

In a subsequent appearance on the "Road Trippin' Podcast" with Cavs teammates Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, James continued distancing himself from the roster label while hitting back at Green.

"I mean in 2003, the Lakers combined Karl Malone, Gary Payton, (Shaquille O'Neal), and Kobe (Bryant)," James said. "And in 1996, when (Michael) Jordan was retired, the Rockets joined Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Clyde Drexler all on the same team. ...

"I definitely didn't start the superteam, if that's what he's trying to say."

While James might not have started the trend, whether or not he ever followed it is still up for debate. The Miami Heat aligned three Hall of Famers in their prime, while the Cavaliers have two No. 1 picks and a former All-NBA player in Kevin Love. By James' estimation, though, neither roster qualifies as a superteam.

James concluded by sprinkling another pinch of salt on Green.

"I just feel like that it's great that on the day you're celebrating your championship, my likeness and my name is in your head. I love that," James said.

Green wore a "Quickie" shirt at the parade as revenge for all of James' trolling throughout the season, prompting the Cavs superstar to respond on Instagram. Green followed up with a retort of his own, then needled James in his speech.