With great fandom comes huge criticism, and LeBron James is no exception. James, who has received astonishing fame and accolades over the years in his glorious career in the NBA, has recently been called out by former Detroit Pistons point guard and NBA analyst, Isiah Thomas as the Lakers legend appeared shirtless in his pregame practices on the court. Thomas called the gesture unprofessional and said that the NBA should punish it.
Isiah Thomas slammed LeBron James for his shirtless appearance on the court
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Houston Rockets in a crucial matchup on Friday, April 11. The game is going to be quite important for both teams, with a lot at stake. James, who is available to play the highly anticipated showdown at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, has been called out by NBA legend and analyst Isiah Thomas.
James appeared shirtless on the court ahead of the game for his practice sessions, which did not go well with Thomas. “I would never let one of my player walk out on the floor looking like this. I mean, we are professional NBA league. We ain’t summer league,” Thomas said. “I totally 100% object to this.”
“I just think that the professionalism in our NBA league has diminished so much,” he continued.
Thomas went on to add, “Look I like LeBron, I’m a fan of his but to walk out on a floor before game with no shirt on, come on, man, this… Where we at? What we doing?”
“Adam Silver if you wanna fine somebody, fine that, put a fine on that,” he added, urging the Commissioner of the NBA to punish James for his shirtless appearance.
Fans react to Isiah Thomas’ criticism of LeBron James
Fans online, however, are not very pleased with Thomas’ plea for LeBron James’ punishment.
“I watched him walk off the court with time left on clock, past my Bulls bench, no hand shakes, nothing. That is as UNPROFESSIONAL as I’ve ever seen. Fkn hypocrite. What a joke,” one fan wrote on X.
“I’m not even LeBron guy but this is ridiculous. Zeke has done a lot of major things wrong and is mad Bron is shooting a basketball without his shirt on,” another wrote, supporting James.
“What a farce. This league has gone downhill so much.”
One fan initially thought it was a joke, “I watched this on NBATV. Come on now, it’s pre-game warmups. I thought Isiah was messing around and going to compliment him on his physique, which led him to say that. I get that the NBA is different now, but this is LeBron. Relax.”
“This look like the warmup before the official warmup.. like before the fans even get there. Nahhh zeke. Lol”
“why are we giving screen time to Isaiah?”
Also Read: LeBron James “I love everything about that guy” explains why he’d want to play with Steph Curry
As for LeBron James, he has been in great shape and, at 40, is still playing at an elite level. James is currently averaging 24.6 points per game, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.
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