On December 25, 2025, on the day of Christmas, the Los Angeles Lakers legend, LeBron James, found himself in trouble, as he faced unexpectedly heavy online backlash and criticisms, not just for his game, but also for what he did just before the game. LeBron James was seen on camera making golf swing motions, while the U.S. National anthem was playing in the background just before a game with the Houston Rockets. And this immediately caught strong reactions from fans online and even the media. It sparked heavy backlash for the Lakers’ star because some viewers felt his actions were disrespectful, especially because it happened during a nationally symbolic moment. The incident first gained attention when ESPN shared a clip on its social media page. The post started spreading widely across X and other platforms, leading fans to debate about whether an NBA veteran like LeBron James showed disrespect towards a patriotic sentiment.
What really happened and how did LeBron James’ golf swings spark controversy?
ESPN shared footage online showing LeBron James holding a golf stick and swinging it, with a caption, “Bron working on his golf swing?”, as the American National anthem was playing just before the Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets game. Many fans took it as a sign of casualty and disrespect towards their national anthem, while some defended him, saying he was simply stretching or maybe warming up before the game. What made the situation even more controversial was that it was Christmas Day, a day full of emotions for fans and a strong sense of tradition in the NBA. As a result, fans felt the moment was indifferent, and they accused James of showing disrespect towards their national flag and the anthem, leading to varied online debates among fans and different sports platforms. LeBron James’ longtime friend and former teammate, Dwayne Wade, even added to the moment by suggesting that LeBron James was likely spending time practicing golf indoors, instead of worrying too much about the outside criticisms, because of his fondness towards the game, as he once talked openly about his growing interest in golf, that he even watches the game on YouTube, and sometimes even spends time practicing it, in his free time. This came following the Lakers’ coach JJ Redick’s criticism regarding the team’s recent struggles in playing the games, as the Lakers struggled on Christmas Day, with the Rockets winning a clear victory
LeBron James faces heavy backlash online from fans over perceived disrespect during national anthem
Fans across social media have heavily criticized LeBron James, as they felt the national anthem is a symbol of pride and national unity and carries a strong emotional meaning, so his actions felt disrespectful, with many fans questioning his team value in the Los Angeles Lakers, especially in recent times. “Want to fix the Lakers? Get rid of LeBron, get rid of Bronny, get rid of J.J.”, one fan commented. “The team would be much better without LeBron on it”, another fan wrote. While a third one wrote, “Lakers is better without LeBron. They should start building their team around Luka”. “LeBron never showed any etiquette through out his entire so u can forget him bowing out gracefully”, a fan wrote. While another added, “Expecting a 40 year old to lead a team is nonsense, they need a 2nd superstar beside Luka and major defensive changes or good defenders”. Overall, fans all over social media called out LeBron James for showing disrespect towards their national identity, suggesting that athletes should be careful, as these small incidents quickly trigger strong reactions.
Fans over social media lash out at LeBron James over perceived disrespect to the National anthem (Image via: YouTube)
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