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
New Anti-Conversion Law in India Leaves Christians Vulnerable to Attacks
Police Seek Public’s Help Amid Search for Suspects in Deadly Homecoming Mass Shooting
Trump’s Iran gamble pays off as WWIII doomsayers now praise Israel-Hamas ceasefire
Trump dangles access to net unprecedented fundraising hauls
‘A Ridiculous Question for Me to Be Given’: Trump Hits Back at Reporter Who Asked Him About Taking Out Foreign Leader
Police chase ends with truck explosion and fire in dramatic scene captured on camera
Ramaswamy: 2025 GOP wins in New Jersey, Virginia, would ‘set the table for…more decisive victories’ in 2026
Trump Admin Retooling IRS to Go After Left Wing Groups Funding Political Violence: Report
Judge sides with Democrat historian to temporarily block Trump presidential library deal in Florida
Trump advisers project confidence in Gaza rebuild, though hostage recovery could take time
ICE reveals ‘disturbing details’ after agency rescued 3-year-old abducted to Mexico
Final stretch: Mamdani’s large lead shrinking as Cuomo gains ground in NYC mayoral race
Senate Democrats ‘open’ to Pentagon funding breakthrough despite shutdown gridlock
Zohran Mamdani, Who Treats Gaza Like NYC Borough, Says He Doesn’t ‘Really Have Opinions’ About Disarming Hamas
Shutdown delays major rulings in cases against Trump administration
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
New Anti-Conversion Law in India Leaves Christians Vulnerable to Attacks
Police Seek Public’s Help Amid Search for Suspects in Deadly Homecoming Mass Shooting
Trump’s Iran gamble pays off as WWIII doomsayers now praise Israel-Hamas ceasefire
Trump dangles access to net unprecedented fundraising hauls
‘A Ridiculous Question for Me to Be Given’: Trump Hits Back at Reporter Who Asked Him About Taking Out Foreign Leader
Police chase ends with truck explosion and fire in dramatic scene captured on camera
Ramaswamy: 2025 GOP wins in New Jersey, Virginia, would ‘set the table for…more decisive victories’ in 2026
Trump Admin Retooling IRS to Go After Left Wing Groups Funding Political Violence: Report
Judge sides with Democrat historian to temporarily block Trump presidential library deal in Florida
Trump advisers project confidence in Gaza rebuild, though hostage recovery could take time
ICE reveals ‘disturbing details’ after agency rescued 3-year-old abducted to Mexico
Final stretch: Mamdani’s large lead shrinking as Cuomo gains ground in NYC mayoral race
Senate Democrats ‘open’ to Pentagon funding breakthrough despite shutdown gridlock
Zohran Mamdani, Who Treats Gaza Like NYC Borough, Says He Doesn’t ‘Really Have Opinions’ About Disarming Hamas
Shutdown delays major rulings in cases against Trump administration
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
New Anti-Conversion Law in India Leaves Christians Vulnerable to Attacks
Police Seek Public’s Help Amid Search for Suspects in Deadly Homecoming Mass Shooting
Trump’s Iran gamble pays off as WWIII doomsayers now praise Israel-Hamas ceasefire
Trump dangles access to net unprecedented fundraising hauls
‘A Ridiculous Question for Me to Be Given’: Trump Hits Back at Reporter Who Asked Him About Taking Out Foreign Leader
Police chase ends with truck explosion and fire in dramatic scene captured on camera
Ramaswamy: 2025 GOP wins in New Jersey, Virginia, would ‘set the table for…more decisive victories’ in 2026
Trump Admin Retooling IRS to Go After Left Wing Groups Funding Political Violence: Report
Judge sides with Democrat historian to temporarily block Trump presidential library deal in Florida
Trump advisers project confidence in Gaza rebuild, though hostage recovery could take time
ICE reveals ‘disturbing details’ after agency rescued 3-year-old abducted to Mexico
Final stretch: Mamdani’s large lead shrinking as Cuomo gains ground in NYC mayoral race
Senate Democrats ‘open’ to Pentagon funding breakthrough despite shutdown gridlock
Zohran Mamdani, Who Treats Gaza Like NYC Borough, Says He Doesn’t ‘Really Have Opinions’ About Disarming Hamas
Shutdown delays major rulings in cases against Trump administration
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
New Anti-Conversion Law in India Leaves Christians Vulnerable to Attacks
Police Seek Public’s Help Amid Search for Suspects in Deadly Homecoming Mass Shooting
Trump’s Iran gamble pays off as WWIII doomsayers now praise Israel-Hamas ceasefire
Trump dangles access to net unprecedented fundraising hauls
‘A Ridiculous Question for Me to Be Given’: Trump Hits Back at Reporter Who Asked Him About Taking Out Foreign Leader
Police chase ends with truck explosion and fire in dramatic scene captured on camera
Ramaswamy: 2025 GOP wins in New Jersey, Virginia, would ‘set the table for…more decisive victories’ in 2026
Trump Admin Retooling IRS to Go After Left Wing Groups Funding Political Violence: Report
Judge sides with Democrat historian to temporarily block Trump presidential library deal in Florida
Trump advisers project confidence in Gaza rebuild, though hostage recovery could take time
ICE reveals ‘disturbing details’ after agency rescued 3-year-old abducted to Mexico
Final stretch: Mamdani’s large lead shrinking as Cuomo gains ground in NYC mayoral race
Senate Democrats ‘open’ to Pentagon funding breakthrough despite shutdown gridlock
Zohran Mamdani, Who Treats Gaza Like NYC Borough, Says He Doesn’t ‘Really Have Opinions’ About Disarming Hamas
Shutdown delays major rulings in cases against Trump administration
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.
New Anti-Conversion Law in India Leaves Christians Vulnerable to Attacks
Police Seek Public’s Help Amid Search for Suspects in Deadly Homecoming Mass Shooting
Trump’s Iran gamble pays off as WWIII doomsayers now praise Israel-Hamas ceasefire
Trump dangles access to net unprecedented fundraising hauls
‘A Ridiculous Question for Me to Be Given’: Trump Hits Back at Reporter Who Asked Him About Taking Out Foreign Leader
Police chase ends with truck explosion and fire in dramatic scene captured on camera
Ramaswamy: 2025 GOP wins in New Jersey, Virginia, would ‘set the table for…more decisive victories’ in 2026
Trump Admin Retooling IRS to Go After Left Wing Groups Funding Political Violence: Report
Judge sides with Democrat historian to temporarily block Trump presidential library deal in Florida
Trump advisers project confidence in Gaza rebuild, though hostage recovery could take time
ICE reveals ‘disturbing details’ after agency rescued 3-year-old abducted to Mexico
Final stretch: Mamdani’s large lead shrinking as Cuomo gains ground in NYC mayoral race
Senate Democrats ‘open’ to Pentagon funding breakthrough despite shutdown gridlock
Zohran Mamdani, Who Treats Gaza Like NYC Borough, Says He Doesn’t ‘Really Have Opinions’ About Disarming Hamas
Shutdown delays major rulings in cases against Trump administration
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.
