In a moment that captured significant attention, LeBron James, basketball icon and face of the Los Angeles Lakers, became the talk of social media, not for his signature dunks or clutch shots, but for enjoying a fruit salad on the bench.
During a preseason match against the Golden State Warriors, which ended in a 129-125 defeat for the Lakers, broadcast cameras honed in on James. The athlete was seen, not in his usual Lakers’ jersey, but in street attire, casually consuming a fruit salad in the second half of the game. While this may seem innocuous to some, the gesture didn’t sit well with Lakers’ royalty.
NBA legend Michael Cooper, renowned for his time with the Lakers during which he secured five NBA championship titles, voiced his displeasure on his podcast, “Showtime with Coop.” He remarked, “I didn’t like that. LeBron is undoubtedly one of the game’s greats, but there’s a decorum, a respect for the game that should be maintained. If he wanted to eat, the locker room was the place. When out on the floor, even on the bench, you’re part of a team.”
LeBron had clocked in an impressive performance in the first half, with 12 points, five assists, and two rebounds in just 18 minutes. Yet, he switched to casual attire during the halftime break, becoming more of a spectator for the rest of the match. The scene of him enjoying his fruit, while gesturing to fellow players and attentively watching the game, became an unexpected highlight.
As LeBron, now 38, gears up for his 20th NBA season and sixth with the Lakers, his legendary status remains uncontested. Boasting accolades like 19-time All-Star selections, four-time NBA finals MVP titles, and being the NBA’s current leading scorer with 38,652 points, this episode serves as a reminder that every move of such icons, on and off the court, will always be under the lens.