LA Lakers star LeBron James playfully teased Draymond Green about the collection of wines he offered during what seemed to be a meeting with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and sports personality and businessman Maverick Carter.
LeBron James initially shared a photo on his story featuring seven wine bottles with the caption, “Was one of those nights!” and tagged Green, Paul and Carter.
Carter later reposted the story, complimenting Green as he “would not stop pulling out the major hits,” referring to the wine. LeBron James then reposted Carter’s story, adding:
“He (Draymond Green) should be put in jail for what he did!”
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Among the luxurious wines displayed at Green’s gathering were the Clos de Tart Clos de Tart Grand Cru Monopole, Domaine Dujac Echezeaux Grand Cru, Chateau Margaux, Château Lafite Rothschild and a Gevrey Chambertin, Clos St. Jacques Domaine Armand Rousseau.
LeBron James is one of the NBA’s most notable wine connoisseurs, often sharing posts about the wine he enjoys. Last year, he offered a glimpse of his collection, which featured nine bottles estimated to be worth over $13,000.
The NBA is home to several wine connoisseurs, including Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Gregg Popovich and CJ McCollum.
Carmelo Anthony is credited with turning LeBron James into a wine enthusiast
LeBron James’ banana boat friend Carmelo Anthony is said to be the one who introduced “The King” to the world of wine.
According to WineEnthusiast.com, during Anthony’s time with the Denver Nuggets, whose owner also owns the Screaming Eagle Winery and Vineyards in Napa, he became hooked on wine and helped LeBron James and Chris Paul become wine connoisseurs.
In an interview with BonAppetit.com, Anthony mentioned that he enjoyed having a glass of wine after games and realized he was spending a lot, leading him to start his own venture.
“I started off not knowing what I was doing, just having a glass of wine after games, before I started collecting,” he said. “I looked back after being on this wine journey and realized I was spending a lot of money, so I thought ‘I might as well put this money into my own thing.’”
“Once I had an understanding of what I really wanted, and after I felt like I perfected my palate, I was ready to enter the market.”
Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs and former Team USA head coach, is also credited with turning several NBA personalities into wine enthusiasts.
“From what I’ve heard in NBA circles, it all traces back to Gregg Popovich,” Bill O’Connor, executive vice president of sales of wine company Kendall-Jackson, said (per WineEnthusiast).
“They call him the ‘Popfather of Wine,’ or something like that… He can speak Burgundy, Bordeaux, anything. He was the catalyst.”
Anthony has since launched his own wine brand, VII(N) The Seventh Estate, in 2022.
