NBA legend LeBron James has come under fire for apparently ‘disrespecting’ the national anthem prior to a Los Angeles Lakers game.Â
On Christmas Day, ‘King James’ took to the court for the Lakers clash with the Houston Rockets, where he was unable to prevent a 119-96 defeat on the night.Â
James scored 18 points on the night, the most for the Lakers except for Luka Doncic, as well as recording five assists and two rebounds.
However, after the game, fans weren’t talking about the 40-year-old’s showing on the court and, rather, were discussing his theatrics prior to tip-off.Â
Footage showed James warming up while a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner was performed and, seemingly, even took the opportunity to practice his golf swing.Â
The Lakers star has previously admitted in recent months that he’s become infatuated with golf and has been spotted on the course on multiple occasions.
LeBron James has come under fire for seemingly practicing his golf swing while a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner played at prior to tip-off at the Lakers game on Christmas Day
Fans have since labelled the Lakers star as ‘disrespectful’ for his pre-game theatrics
However, fans were not happy with James using the national anthem as a chance to get some practice swings and made sure their feelings were known on socials.
In the comment section to an ESPN video of James’ theatrics, one fan said: ‘And per usual disrespecting our national anthem’.
Another wrote: ‘most unlikeable athlete in history’.
‘Disrespecting the flag in the country that made him a millionaire,’ one user said.
One disgruntled fan said: ‘Exactly why he will never be the GOAT. SO DISRESPECTFUL’.Â
Prior to the Christmas Day clash with the Rockets, the NBA veteran admitted that he would rather be at home with his family than playing in the game.Â
Speaking to media in the build-up, James said: ‘I’d much rather be at home with my family. But I mean, it’s the game, it’s the game I love.Â
‘It’s the game I watched when I was a kid on Christmas Day, watching a lot of the greatest play the game on Christmas. It’s always been an honor to play it.Â
Fans did not hold back as they weighed in on the viral clip
The 4-time MVP has admitted that he’s become obsessed with golf in recent months
‘Obviously, I’m gonna be completely honest, I would like to be home on the couch with my family all throughout the day. But our number is called, so we have to go out and perform and I look forward to it’.
Back in August, meanwhile, James admitted that golf had become his new addiction and, since then, he’s been spotted on the fairway on multiple occasions.Â
‘Addicted. I’m sorry. I know, yep, that’s it. Yep. Rain and everything,’ James said on his Instagram story back in the summer.Â
Other NBA greats like Michael Jordan and Steph Curry also became prolific golfers during their playing days.
Curry even mocked LeBron for his swing once – even going so far as to impersonate James on-course at the American Century Championship celebrity tournament in Lake Tahoe.
‘Rookie hazing,’ Curry called it. ‘He got his first few swings out there. I talked to him last week and he told me how much fun he had.Â
‘You know, there’s something to work with that swing, though. That’s kind of what I was going for. He’s got good bones and a good foundation, and if he spends a little bit of time practicing, a little bit of coaching, he’s got potential for sure. So, I’m excited to see it.’Â
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LeBron James accused of ‘disrespecting’ the national anthem with his behavior before Lakers game