LeBron James had another rock-solid performance on Thursday night for the Los Angeles Lakers, but it was his postgame remarks that stole all the headlines.
During the Lakers’ win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, star wingman Anthony Edwards got ejected after picking up two technical fouls. He then threw the basketball into the stands out of frustration. That sparked a debate about whether he can truly become the next face of the NBA.
Well, according to LeBron, there’s not a player out there that should want to be the face of the league. That’s because he believes the media criticizes the best players every chance it gets.
“Why do you want to be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis [expletive] on everybody? That responsibility, it’s just weird energy from the people that, you know, I don’t know,” James said.
James went on to say that he accepted his role as the face of the NBA, but he knew what he was getting himself into.
“Ant said he don’t want it. I didn’t ask for it, but I knew there was a responsibility for me, not only to my family, my friends, my community and whoever that was going to follow my journey throughout my career, not only in Ohio when I started there but all over America and all over the world when I traveled all over the world. I’ve always taken that seriously and understood from the beginning what being a professional was all about and what being a role model was all about.”
Judging by the reactions on social media, NBA fans didn’t appreciate these comments from James.
“This is the [expletive] I just can’t stand about Bron. Even as a Lakers fan. What are we even talking about,” one fan tweeted.
“This dude complains more than any all time great athlete in history,” a second fan wrote on X.
“For a guy that didn’t have a single ounce of issues or bad rep to get [expletive] on this much through his career, why would anyone who isn’t even close to perfect want to be in his position,” another fan argued.
“What a weak comment from LeBron,” a fourth person commented.
James has been the face of the NBA for roughly two decades. Replacing his impact – on and off the court – will be nearly impossible.
At the end of the day though, the NBA needs someone to answer to the call.
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