Happy New Year 2025

Tag: LeBron

LeBron James takes heat for late decision to skip NBA All-Star Game

LeBron James drew some blowback on Sunday night as he announced 90 minutes before the NBA All-Star Game was set for tip-off that he would forgo playing in it over a foot issue.

The Los Angeles Lakers star said he would miss the mini tournament with foot and ankle discomfort. It ended his streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game appearances. TNT hosts appeared to be appalled by the late decision from James.

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, #23, prepares to shoot as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, #45, watches during the skills challenge at the NBA basketball All-Star Saturday night festivities on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“I think ‘Bron coulda helped somebody else out and said this earlier,” Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said, via Awful Announcing.

Former NBA star Jalen Rose added that James “took a roster spot from somebody.”

It was the first time James had missed an All-Star Game since 2004. He was set to play for Team Shaquille O’Neal in the All-Star Game’s new competition format. The team was then down to seven players – Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and James Harden.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James speaks during a press conference before the NBA basketball All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it’s not where I want it to be,” James said. “And with 30 games left and with us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild, West, I feel like it’s very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming on.

“So, I won’t say it’s maintenance, but it is maintenance,” he said. “At the same time, I have to look out for myself when it comes to this to this injury I’ve been dealing with for years.”

James said he will resume rehabbing the injury on Monday and hoped to play on Wednesday as the Lakers return from the break to compete against the Charlotte Hornets.

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Shaq’s OGs player LeBron James, #23, sits courtside in street clothes during Game 2 of the NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)

He is averaging 24.3 points, 9 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
LeBron James breaks silence on blockbuster trade by refuting report he was ‘frustrated’ with now ex-teammate

While most were sleeping, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a stunning blockbuster that led to Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis swapping teams.

The deal is perhaps one of the most star-studded ever, as it’s the first time in NBA history two reigning All-NBA players were traded midseason.

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There are lots of questions that need to be answered, primarily on the Dallas side of things, as it’s shocking a team would trade a 25-year-old MVP candidate with global starpower fresh off an NBA Finals appearance.

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Lakers forwards LeBron James and Anthony Davis during the Atlanta Hawks game at Crypto.com Arena on March 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

However, one report from CBS Sports said LeBron James “had grown frustrated” with Davis, who is averaging over 25 points and a dozen rebounds while playing elite defense.

James’ Lakers defeated the Knicks shortly before the trade broke, but James has not spoken to reporters about the move yet (Davis was inactive), but James did see the report on X, and broke his silence matter of factly.

“You a [f—ing] lie,” James wrote on X, adding Pinocchio and clown emojis.

Luka Dončić of the Mavericks handles the ball against Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center on Feb. 26, 2023, in Dallas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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James is said to have found out about the trade shortly before the news broke on X while he was out to dinner with his family following L.A.’s victory. It’s being reported that the Mavs only reached out to the Lakers, and would only acquire Davis if it meant moving Dončić. Other than the organizations facilitating the trade, it’s said that no one else knew what was going on behind the scenes.

The Lakers received Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks took on Davis, Max Christie and Los Angeles’ 2029 first-round pick. To settle it all out, the Utah Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks.

LeBron James gestures to fans as he sits on the bench with forward Anthony Davis during the game against the Golden State Warriors, Oct. 13, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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The Slovenian led the NBA with 33.4 points per game last season and won’t turn 26 until later this month. In his career, he averages 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, putting himself in the MVP conversation every year of his young career.

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February 2, 2025
Stephen A Smith sounds off on LeBron James about son’s playing time amid struggles: ‘Stop this’

It’s becoming quite clear that Bronny James isn’t quite ready for the NBA yet.

The son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was called up from the G-League ahead of Tuesday’s game, and he got to play 15 minutes, by far the most of his young career, in his 13th appearance.

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But it was a struggle, as he went 0-for-5 from the floor and committed three turnovers.

LeBron James and Bronny James of the Lakers on the court for the first time during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

James has made just one shot of 16 from the floor this season, which adds up to just a 6.3 shooting percentage. Sure, it’s unfair to judge on such scarce playing time, but he certainly hasn’t done himself any favors.

The father-son duo have received flak ever since Bronny was selected 55th overall by his father’s team in the summer, with lots of criticism about nepotism.

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Well, after Tuesday’s performance, Stephen A. Smith insinuated that it’s still going on, and it’s not beneficial.

“I’m really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be toward LeBron James, one of the top two or three players in the history of basketball. I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad,” Smith said on Wednesday’s edition of “First Take.”

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James against the Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Oct. 28, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Smith added he has “no issues” with the two playing on the same team, as James has “earned that” privilege.

But with his struggles, LeBron is not doing his son any “favors,” said Smith.

“We know that he’s not ready yet! And I’m saying this with compassion! I’m asking the greatest player in the game, one of the greatest we have ever, or will ever see, who is a basketball savant, you know what these numbers mean, to your son, you’re exposing your son like this.”

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James warms up for the Raptors game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Nov. 1, 2024. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

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Bronny, who averaged less than five points per game in his lone season at USC, has fared much better in the G League, averaging 16.3 points per contest.

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January 29, 2025