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
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial
Tourist vanishes after leaving Utah airport to backpack in mountains
Watch: 17-Year-Old Aspiring Preacher Stuns ‘American Idol’ Judges with Gospel Song, Wins Rare Platinum Ticket
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Shady trial lawyer pipeline’ funneling millions to Democrats according to report
Trump Accuses 4 Republican Senators of Being ‘Unbelievably Disloyal’ Amid Tariff Bill Battle
Musk not leaving yet, wrapping up work on schedule once ‘incredible work at DOGE is complete’: White House
SCOTUS leaves future of Planned Parenthood uncertain in Medicaid case
Kelly Loeffler argues ‘Liberation Day’ will provide ‘salvation’ to US market
North Korea calls US-Japan missile deal ‘warning signal’ that adds ‘strategic instability’ to region
Judge blocks Trump admin from firing federal probationary workers
Trump, Senate GOP budget leaders huddle at White House on reconciliation bill
FBI Agent Didn’t Know He Was Supposed to Lie, So He Confirmed Biden Laptop Was Real on Call with Twitter: Report
24 Hours Before Trump’s Tariffs Kick In, Israel Bows Knee and Removes All Tariffs on US
Congo commutes 3 Americans’ death sentences following coup attempt
Trump administration deports 100K illegal migrants since inauguration: report
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
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial
Tourist vanishes after leaving Utah airport to backpack in mountains
Watch: 17-Year-Old Aspiring Preacher Stuns ‘American Idol’ Judges with Gospel Song, Wins Rare Platinum Ticket
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Shady trial lawyer pipeline’ funneling millions to Democrats according to report
Trump Accuses 4 Republican Senators of Being ‘Unbelievably Disloyal’ Amid Tariff Bill Battle
Musk not leaving yet, wrapping up work on schedule once ‘incredible work at DOGE is complete’: White House
SCOTUS leaves future of Planned Parenthood uncertain in Medicaid case
Kelly Loeffler argues ‘Liberation Day’ will provide ‘salvation’ to US market
North Korea calls US-Japan missile deal ‘warning signal’ that adds ‘strategic instability’ to region
Judge blocks Trump admin from firing federal probationary workers
Trump, Senate GOP budget leaders huddle at White House on reconciliation bill
FBI Agent Didn’t Know He Was Supposed to Lie, So He Confirmed Biden Laptop Was Real on Call with Twitter: Report
24 Hours Before Trump’s Tariffs Kick In, Israel Bows Knee and Removes All Tariffs on US
Congo commutes 3 Americans’ death sentences following coup attempt
Trump administration deports 100K illegal migrants since inauguration: report
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
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial
Tourist vanishes after leaving Utah airport to backpack in mountains
Watch: 17-Year-Old Aspiring Preacher Stuns ‘American Idol’ Judges with Gospel Song, Wins Rare Platinum Ticket
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Shady trial lawyer pipeline’ funneling millions to Democrats according to report
Trump Accuses 4 Republican Senators of Being ‘Unbelievably Disloyal’ Amid Tariff Bill Battle
Musk not leaving yet, wrapping up work on schedule once ‘incredible work at DOGE is complete’: White House
SCOTUS leaves future of Planned Parenthood uncertain in Medicaid case
Kelly Loeffler argues ‘Liberation Day’ will provide ‘salvation’ to US market
North Korea calls US-Japan missile deal ‘warning signal’ that adds ‘strategic instability’ to region
Judge blocks Trump admin from firing federal probationary workers
Trump, Senate GOP budget leaders huddle at White House on reconciliation bill
FBI Agent Didn’t Know He Was Supposed to Lie, So He Confirmed Biden Laptop Was Real on Call with Twitter: Report
24 Hours Before Trump’s Tariffs Kick In, Israel Bows Knee and Removes All Tariffs on US
Congo commutes 3 Americans’ death sentences following coup attempt
Trump administration deports 100K illegal migrants since inauguration: report
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
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial
Tourist vanishes after leaving Utah airport to backpack in mountains
Watch: 17-Year-Old Aspiring Preacher Stuns ‘American Idol’ Judges with Gospel Song, Wins Rare Platinum Ticket
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Shady trial lawyer pipeline’ funneling millions to Democrats according to report
Trump Accuses 4 Republican Senators of Being ‘Unbelievably Disloyal’ Amid Tariff Bill Battle
Musk not leaving yet, wrapping up work on schedule once ‘incredible work at DOGE is complete’: White House
SCOTUS leaves future of Planned Parenthood uncertain in Medicaid case
Kelly Loeffler argues ‘Liberation Day’ will provide ‘salvation’ to US market
North Korea calls US-Japan missile deal ‘warning signal’ that adds ‘strategic instability’ to region
Judge blocks Trump admin from firing federal probationary workers
Trump, Senate GOP budget leaders huddle at White House on reconciliation bill
FBI Agent Didn’t Know He Was Supposed to Lie, So He Confirmed Biden Laptop Was Real on Call with Twitter: Report
24 Hours Before Trump’s Tariffs Kick In, Israel Bows Knee and Removes All Tariffs on US
Congo commutes 3 Americans’ death sentences following coup attempt
Trump administration deports 100K illegal migrants since inauguration: report
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.
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial
Tourist vanishes after leaving Utah airport to backpack in mountains
Watch: 17-Year-Old Aspiring Preacher Stuns ‘American Idol’ Judges with Gospel Song, Wins Rare Platinum Ticket
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Shady trial lawyer pipeline’ funneling millions to Democrats according to report
Trump Accuses 4 Republican Senators of Being ‘Unbelievably Disloyal’ Amid Tariff Bill Battle
Musk not leaving yet, wrapping up work on schedule once ‘incredible work at DOGE is complete’: White House
SCOTUS leaves future of Planned Parenthood uncertain in Medicaid case
Kelly Loeffler argues ‘Liberation Day’ will provide ‘salvation’ to US market
North Korea calls US-Japan missile deal ‘warning signal’ that adds ‘strategic instability’ to region
Judge blocks Trump admin from firing federal probationary workers
Trump, Senate GOP budget leaders huddle at White House on reconciliation bill
FBI Agent Didn’t Know He Was Supposed to Lie, So He Confirmed Biden Laptop Was Real on Call with Twitter: Report
24 Hours Before Trump’s Tariffs Kick In, Israel Bows Knee and Removes All Tariffs on US
Congo commutes 3 Americans’ death sentences following coup attempt
Trump administration deports 100K illegal migrants since inauguration: report
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.