The NBA was understandably excited to start its season and get away from the China controversy that had embroiled the league over the past couple weeks.
However, even more controversy ensued on Tuesday night and on into Wednesday as video surfaced showing LeBron James walking off the court and screaming while the national anthem played.
LeBron disrespecting the Anthem?!? Oh no pic.twitter.com/3Gev5Dh24x
— Mickstape (@MickstapeShow) October 23, 2019
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The internet did not take kindly to James’ ill-timed and disrespectful outburst:
If this was the Chinese anthem @KingJames would have showed the proper respect https://t.co/a5yUyXo1dm
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 23, 2019
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LeBron was yelling for them to play China’s anthem @MickstapeShow pic.twitter.com/eeV4ZdvnS5
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 23, 2019
LeBron may truly have zero respect for America. National anthem still going and he walks off and yells “LET’S GO” to the crowd. His behavior the past month is indefensible. pic.twitter.com/Ql0T8a2QC2
— T.J. Moe (@TJMoe28) October 23, 2019
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New Jersey twins arrested for threatening to kill DHS spokeswoman and ICE officers
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Gene Simmons says musician royalty act is about protecting the next Elvis Presley
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What a classless disrespectful move to the country that gave you the opportunity to make billions of dollars @KingJames. You’re more than welcome to leave anytime you want and don’t come back. Put your hand over your heart and say thank you. https://t.co/72bihf44wu
— Turner Wintz (@19tmoney19) October 23, 2019
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Gene Simmons says musician royalty act is about protecting the next Elvis Presley
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Lawsuit: Man Died After Royal Caribbean Served Him Dozens of Alcoholic Beverages and Sedated Him
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Kamala Harris declares herself a ‘historic’ figure: ‘There will be a marble bust of me’
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Judge allows DOJ to release Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury transcripts
Watch: Dem. Rep. Spins Out After Learning Trump Has Officially Restored Biden’s HHS Sec. ‘Rachel’ Levine’s Name to Richard at HHS HQ
Mamdani Chooses Felon Rapper Who Served 7 Years in Prison for Key Criminal Justice Position
House Democrat drops re-election bid after Texas redraws congressional map
It’s game 1 of the regular season and Lebron is already disrespecting our National Anthem and our country smh https://t.co/JovkQcwsVs
— cole (@colem008) October 23, 2019
James faced a firestorm of criticism after saying that Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey “wasn’t educated” on the China-Hong-Kong issue, before he sent a message of support to pro-democracy protesters earlier this month.
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Luigi Mangione said ‘all these people here for a mass murder, why?’ at arraignment: police officer
New Jersey twins arrested for threatening to kill DHS spokeswoman and ICE officers
DOJ fights major obstacle to bring new case against Comey
Gene Simmons says musician royalty act is about protecting the next Elvis Presley
Vermont school district flies Somali flag amid massive fraud investigation in divisive move: GOP chair
Lawsuit: Man Died After Royal Caribbean Served Him Dozens of Alcoholic Beverages and Sedated Him
Trump Cranks Up the Pressure on Defiant Zelenskyy, Says He Must ‘Start Accepting Things’
Kamala Harris declares herself a ‘historic’ figure: ‘There will be a marble bust of me’
GOP senator pitches ‘Black Friday’ Obamacare fix that bridges Democrat, Republican demands
Judge allows DOJ to release Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury transcripts
Watch: Dem. Rep. Spins Out After Learning Trump Has Officially Restored Biden’s HHS Sec. ‘Rachel’ Levine’s Name to Richard at HHS HQ
Mamdani Chooses Felon Rapper Who Served 7 Years in Prison for Key Criminal Justice Position
House Democrat drops re-election bid after Texas redraws congressional map
While backpedaling, James said that he is not a politician, and said that not “every issue should be everyone’s problem.”
Since that time, James has said he will no longer talk about the NBA-China rift. The Lakers star forward also did not have any comment about his disrespect towards the flag on Tuesday night.
The NBA faced serious financial hardship after China retaliated against the league by canceling promotional events and several business arrangements. It should also be noted that James has several financial interests in China outside the NBA. Most notably, Nike’s extremely lucrative sales in China, plus the deal that James’ production company has in the development of Space Jam 2 which is expected to do very well in the communist country.
Story cited here.
