Basketball: 'Get off her back': LeBron James defends reporter over question

LeBron James reacts in shock when told the news of Erin Popovich's passing.

NBA star LeBron James has defended a reporter who asked him about the death of a rival coach's wife just minutes after finishing a game.

TNT sideline reporter Allie LaForce asked James about the death of Erin Popovich, the wife of San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who passed away on Thursday, aged 67.

James was visibly shocked to learn the news of Erin's passing during an on-court interview on live TV and was lost for words as he tried to comprehend the tragic development.

LaForce asked if James had a message for Popovich. "Holy sh**," James eventually said as he choked back tears.

"I'm a huge Pop fan, I love Pop. That's such a tragedy. My best wishes go out to Pop and his family. That's devastating news.

"The NBA family, we all stick together. I know we compete every night but when something like this happens it really puts things in perspective so I send my well wishes and my prayers up to the heavens above."

Many people on social media said the question was inappropriate but James has defended LaForce saying she told him the news before the interview and called the idea that he was blindsided "absolutely false".

"Once I started talking about it, once we were on air," James said in a video posted on Twitter, "actually my emotions just kind of took over, and that was just my emotions coming straight from my heart about the late Erin Popovich."

.@KingJames sends his thoughts and prayers to the family of Gregg Popovich, sets record straight on reporter’s question. pic.twitter.com/VCsFuEtFVU

— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) April 19, 2018

The Spurs are currently taking on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA playoffs.

Spurs coach Greg Popovich. Photo / Getty

"We mourn the loss of Erin," Spurs general manager RC Buford said in a statement.

"She was a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humour to all of us."

The reaction on social media quickly turned to whether the reporter — or her employer who may have directed her — was right to bring the topic up with James so soon after a game.

This sideline reporter for TNT was wrong to notify LeBron James of popovich’s wife’s death during a live television interview. He cussed on live tv btw

— Marcus Sullivan (@MarcusESullivan) April 19, 2018

I’m not blaming Allie LaForce for asking LeBron about Popovich’s wife. I blame the producer who wanted her to ask.

— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) April 19, 2018

Never been a sideline reporter. I know its a tough gig. But dont think that was the right time to ask that question to LeBron about Gregg Popovich's wife. LeBron just finished a game. Had no idea that news/question was coming. Credit to LeBron for handling the question with class

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) April 19, 2018

Erin Popovich had been "ill over an extended period", ESPN reported on Thursday.

The Popovichs were married four decades and had two children. Gregg Popovich has coach San Antonio since 1996, leading the Spurs to five NBA titles.

- With news.com.au