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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Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow drops out of Senate race weeks before primary
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Iranians call for Trump’s death at funeral for assassinated ayatollah: ‘Seek revenge’
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Watch a Gun-Range Officer Halt Some Hollywood Antics on the Spot
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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
Toddler declared dead after near-drowning was found alive in hospital morgue hours later, police say
Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow drops out of Senate race weeks before primary
NYPD detective, children shot in separate Brooklyn shootings over holiday weekend
Iranians call for Trump’s death at funeral for assassinated ayatollah: ‘Seek revenge’
Trump shares news of ‘crystal clear’ Reflecting Pool, calls for vandalism suspect’s arrest
Watch: UK Police Do It Again, Attack White Kid for Crime of Being Slammed on Ground by Black Kid
Watch a Gun-Range Officer Halt Some Hollywood Antics on the Spot
Here Are The Voters Backing Democratic Socialists
California Man Pleads Guilty to Harassing Guthrie Family With Fake Ransom Notes
Newsom blames Trump for DOJ probe, but reports say investigation predates his administration
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Navy suspends search for sailor who went missing when helicopter went down in Arabian Sea
Top highlights from Trump’s late night July 4 address: ‘No dream in history is bigger’
PHOTOS: Record fireworks show lights up DC for America’s 250th birthday
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
Toddler declared dead after near-drowning was found alive in hospital morgue hours later, police say
Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow drops out of Senate race weeks before primary
NYPD detective, children shot in separate Brooklyn shootings over holiday weekend
Iranians call for Trump’s death at funeral for assassinated ayatollah: ‘Seek revenge’
Trump shares news of ‘crystal clear’ Reflecting Pool, calls for vandalism suspect’s arrest
Watch: UK Police Do It Again, Attack White Kid for Crime of Being Slammed on Ground by Black Kid
Watch a Gun-Range Officer Halt Some Hollywood Antics on the Spot
Here Are The Voters Backing Democratic Socialists
California Man Pleads Guilty to Harassing Guthrie Family With Fake Ransom Notes
Newsom blames Trump for DOJ probe, but reports say investigation predates his administration
Samuel Alito Warns Mail-In-Ballot Ruling Leaves Giant Opening For Voter Fraud
‘He Came And Stab Me’: Food Truck Pirates Turn National Mall Into A Lawless Mess
Navy suspends search for sailor who went missing when helicopter went down in Arabian Sea
Top highlights from Trump’s late night July 4 address: ‘No dream in history is bigger’
PHOTOS: Record fireworks show lights up DC for America’s 250th birthday
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.
Toddler declared dead after near-drowning was found alive in hospital morgue hours later, police say
Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow drops out of Senate race weeks before primary
NYPD detective, children shot in separate Brooklyn shootings over holiday weekend
Iranians call for Trump’s death at funeral for assassinated ayatollah: ‘Seek revenge’
Trump shares news of ‘crystal clear’ Reflecting Pool, calls for vandalism suspect’s arrest
Watch: UK Police Do It Again, Attack White Kid for Crime of Being Slammed on Ground by Black Kid
Watch a Gun-Range Officer Halt Some Hollywood Antics on the Spot
Here Are The Voters Backing Democratic Socialists
California Man Pleads Guilty to Harassing Guthrie Family With Fake Ransom Notes
Newsom blames Trump for DOJ probe, but reports say investigation predates his administration
Samuel Alito Warns Mail-In-Ballot Ruling Leaves Giant Opening For Voter Fraud
‘He Came And Stab Me’: Food Truck Pirates Turn National Mall Into A Lawless Mess
Navy suspends search for sailor who went missing when helicopter went down in Arabian Sea
Top highlights from Trump’s late night July 4 address: ‘No dream in history is bigger’
PHOTOS: Record fireworks show lights up DC for America’s 250th birthday
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.
