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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Breaking: Trump Offers White House Press Secretary Job to Conservative Commentator and Former DHS Official Katie Zacharia
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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
Multiple College Football Games Rescheduled as Hurricane Isaias Approaches
James Talarico resurfaces after extended absence as his campaign pushes back
Scottish School Rebrands Christmas Cards to ‘Winter Cards’ Citing ‘Inclusivity’ Concerns
Obama the Slave Driver: Workers at Presidential Library Unionizing as Wages Frozen, Time Off Cut, and Health Care Costs Rise
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DeSantis presses reluctant Floridians for swift evacuations as Hurricane Isaias strengthens
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Texas think tank accuses Houston parent coalition of using ‘socialist’ tactics to push radical agenda
‘SNL’ writer’s missing sister case leads homicide detectives to Joshua Tree months after family’s murder claim
Culture clash laid bare as violent Somali gangs grip suburban communities: ‘These kids are different’
Letitia James stumped by debate question while GOP rival delivers ‘zinger for the ages’
Kash Patel announces arrest of suspected ShinyHunters co-conspirator after FBI jobs portal breach
No knockout blow: Strategists say Michigan Senate debate unlikely to shift race
Breaking: Trump Offers White House Press Secretary Job to Conservative Commentator and Former DHS Official Katie Zacharia
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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
Multiple College Football Games Rescheduled as Hurricane Isaias Approaches
James Talarico resurfaces after extended absence as his campaign pushes back
Scottish School Rebrands Christmas Cards to ‘Winter Cards’ Citing ‘Inclusivity’ Concerns
Obama the Slave Driver: Workers at Presidential Library Unionizing as Wages Frozen, Time Off Cut, and Health Care Costs Rise
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Reveals the Truth About Illegal Alien Shot by ICE in NYC, Points Finger at Mamdani and Hochul
DeSantis presses reluctant Floridians for swift evacuations as Hurricane Isaias strengthens
‘Trans girls need guns’: Terrorism inquiry puts supporter of leftist gun community behind bars
Texas think tank accuses Houston parent coalition of using ‘socialist’ tactics to push radical agenda
‘SNL’ writer’s missing sister case leads homicide detectives to Joshua Tree months after family’s murder claim
Culture clash laid bare as violent Somali gangs grip suburban communities: ‘These kids are different’
Letitia James stumped by debate question while GOP rival delivers ‘zinger for the ages’
Kash Patel announces arrest of suspected ShinyHunters co-conspirator after FBI jobs portal breach
No knockout blow: Strategists say Michigan Senate debate unlikely to shift race
Breaking: Trump Offers White House Press Secretary Job to Conservative Commentator and Former DHS Official Katie Zacharia
Watch: Walter Payton’s Son Gets Emotional as He Learns of Mike Ditka’s Death During Live Broadcast
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.
Multiple College Football Games Rescheduled as Hurricane Isaias Approaches
James Talarico resurfaces after extended absence as his campaign pushes back
Scottish School Rebrands Christmas Cards to ‘Winter Cards’ Citing ‘Inclusivity’ Concerns
Obama the Slave Driver: Workers at Presidential Library Unionizing as Wages Frozen, Time Off Cut, and Health Care Costs Rise
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Reveals the Truth About Illegal Alien Shot by ICE in NYC, Points Finger at Mamdani and Hochul
DeSantis presses reluctant Floridians for swift evacuations as Hurricane Isaias strengthens
‘Trans girls need guns’: Terrorism inquiry puts supporter of leftist gun community behind bars
Texas think tank accuses Houston parent coalition of using ‘socialist’ tactics to push radical agenda
‘SNL’ writer’s missing sister case leads homicide detectives to Joshua Tree months after family’s murder claim
Culture clash laid bare as violent Somali gangs grip suburban communities: ‘These kids are different’
Letitia James stumped by debate question while GOP rival delivers ‘zinger for the ages’
Kash Patel announces arrest of suspected ShinyHunters co-conspirator after FBI jobs portal breach
No knockout blow: Strategists say Michigan Senate debate unlikely to shift race
Breaking: Trump Offers White House Press Secretary Job to Conservative Commentator and Former DHS Official Katie Zacharia
Watch: Walter Payton’s Son Gets Emotional as He Learns of Mike Ditka’s Death During Live Broadcast
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.
