LeBron James has once again found himself at the center of a social media storm, but this time it's not about his on-court heroics or off-court business moves. During the national anthem before Tuesday's game at Madison Square Garden, the 42-year-old forward was seen working on his golf swing and jumpshot form, a routine that has become as predictable as his pregame chalk toss.
The video, which quickly went viral, drew a mix of amusement and outrage. Some fans laughed it off as harmless pregame jitters, while others took it as a blatant sign of disrespect. One popular X account posted, "LeBron doing ANYTHING to disrespect the National Anthem," while Clay Travis added, "LeBron decided to practice his golf swing during the national anthem last night. I can't wait until he retires, he's been toxic for the entire NBA."
But here's the thing: this isn't a new move from the four-time champion. Over the past year, LeBron has been caught practicing his golf swing during the anthem multiple times, including during his final season with the Lakers. ESPN even shared a clip of him doing it last season, which sparked similar backlash. It's a habit that's become as consistent as his 20-point scoring averages.
LeBron's growing obsession with golf is no secret. He's been vocal about wanting to change the perception of the sport, particularly within the Black community. "One of my main goals in not only of playing the game of golf with my friends and we have a great time, we go out there and mess around, but I want to be able to, and my goal is to open doors for kids that look like me growing up in the inner city, to be able to go to country clubs at seven, eight, nine years old and be able to go out and caddy or be able to go out and rent clubs and be able to be coached and play the game of golf," James told Boardroom.
While his intentions for golf are admirable, his anthem behavior continues to rub many the wrong way. The debate over anthem protests has long been a flashpoint in sports, and LeBron's antics at MSG have reignited that conversation. Some argue that his actions are a deliberate statement, while others see it as a thoughtless habit. Either way, it's clear that LeBron isn't likely to stop anytime soon.
This isn't the first time an athlete's anthem behavior has caused a stir. The WNBA has faced its own controversies, with players walking out during the anthem and drawing sharp criticism from figures like Vance, who called it "disgraceful." The league has even adjusted its anthem policy amid the fallout. LeBron's situation, however, feels different—it's not a protest but a routine, which makes it all the more puzzling to his critics.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on LeBron to see if he finally changes his tune. But given his track record, it seems more likely that he'll keep swinging away, both on the course and during the anthem.
