The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James faced backlash online immediately after an incident unfolded during a game last night where James went and physically grabbed a referee and got two fans ejected from the game.
When asked during a post-game press conference what the fans did that made him “uncomfortable,” James responded, “I mean nothing is uncomfortable for me, but there’s a difference between cheering on your home faithful, booing opponents and things of that nature or not wanting your opponents to be successful, and there’s then moments where it goes outside the line with obscene gestures and words that shouldn’t be tolerated in our game from nobody.”
“I would never say it to a fan and a fan should never say it to a player,” James added.
James did not make any claims about what the two fans said or did, and there were only unsubstantiated rumors online speculating about what happened.
James, who complained about the use of “obscene” words from fans, can be seen on video grabbing a referee, walking up the individuals in question, and pointing at them while yelling: “It’s right f***ing here!”
LeBron unhappy with some fans courtside in Indiana pic.twitter.com/1Ud3B69G1E
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 25, 2021
There was a lot of negative reaction online to the incident, with many calling James “LeSnitch” or “LeKaren” for getting the fans ejected.
And yes, we definitely will talk about the LeSnitch incident that happened at tonight's game in Indianapolis.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 25, 2021
LeSnitch back to his old tricks! He'll call fouls on people who aren't even in the game, cry to the officials. It's what he does. He whines to the league when things don't go his way. Nuggets fans remember what happened in the playoffs. https://t.co/0ZXazSPnfA
— Terry Wayne Carpenter, Jr. (@TJCarpenterShow) November 25, 2021
Someone called him LeSnitch 😭😭😭 https://t.co/48AerXYbQq
— Maxisnicee (@maxisnicee) November 25, 2021
Sees why LeSnitch is trending… pic.twitter.com/sM22A7yB0t
— Chris Uno Cero (@ceroto60) November 25, 2021
Warranted or not the LeSnitch nickname is hilarious
— Jake (@Procis1on) November 25, 2021
#LeSnitch trending
— MartyParty (@martypartymusic) November 25, 2021
More like LeKaren, calling the manager https://t.co/tlwIMmFv2c
— Adam Lane Smith (@TheBrometheus) November 25, 2021
Wait. He got heckling fans kicked out of an opponent's arena? That's just embarrassing. LeKaren. https://t.co/IlJj3iPAB2
— Ben (@freedomanddogs) November 25, 2021
Some said that the incident was what ultimately makes NBA legend Michael Jordan better than James because they said that Jordan would not have the fans ejected.
“Saw LeBron had fans removed from a game last night. I’m sure the fans were being a**holes. But that’s a difference between Jordan and LeBron,” sports writer Josh Yohe wrote on Twitter. “Jordan would have wanted them to stay in the front row, would have drained 10 straight shots, and stared them down after each one.”
Saw LeBron had fans removed from a game last night. I’m sure the fans were being assholes.
But that’s a difference between Jordan and LeBron. Jordan would have wanted them to stay in the front row, would have drained 10 straight shots, and stared them down after each one.— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) November 25, 2021
“And this is why Michael Jordan will always be superior,” Fox News reporter Joseph A. Wulfsohn tweeted.
And this is why Michael Jordan will always be superior. https://t.co/ZuwK88TE8g
— Joseph A. Wulfsohn (@JosephWulfsohn) November 25, 2021
Other top responses included:
https://t.co/P7Cm14yGZj pic.twitter.com/ZEsSB5UB48
— Ian Miles Cheong @ stillgray.substack.com (@stillgray) November 25, 2021
the way Bron grabbed the ref by his arm to show him who’s bothering him. 😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/MT4bKGFOB0
— Sean Alcide (@Sean_Lyric) November 25, 2021
Now he's getting fans suspended AND swearing at them? This is getting pathetic https://t.co/CUEg2aQRkK
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) November 25, 2021
Did they say something about China? https://t.co/kbMuKLxCKl
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) November 25, 2021
LeBron stopped the whole game to snitch on these people lmaooooo. They got ejected, no warning or nothing. He told them to get out, and they had to get out lmaooooo
LeCEO https://t.co/WILfre54oX
— Mightykeef (@MightyKeef) November 25, 2021
This is what happens when entitled rich people mix with cancel culture. https://t.co/JwBf5CZvkh
— heidi.tez (@HeidiBriones) November 25, 2021
Are all NBA players permitted to drag referees across the court, or just LeBron James? https://t.co/enApSBE1sv pic.twitter.com/oti46mTlaX
— Jeryl Bier (@JerylBier) November 25, 2021
The incident happened after James had just returned from serving a one-game suspension for striking a player in the face earlier this week.
James was ejected from his team’s 121-116 win against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night following a play that resulted in another player having their eye cut open.
James was ejected after “striking Detroit big man Isaiah Stewart in the face while jostling for rebounding position,” ESPN reported. “The hit led to a stoppage in action while Stewart, with blood streaming down his face, had to be held back multiple times by Detroit personnel as he tried to confront James.”
“The incident occurred with 9:18 remaining in the third quarter and the Lakers trailing 79-67,” the report added. “Stewart was initially whistled for a loose ball foul on the play. Following an official review, James was assessed a flagrant foul 2 and ejected, Stewart was assessed two technical fouls and ejected.”
“It was a tough play with Isaiah,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “His eye got cracked all the way open, and he was upset for a reason.”
Weak minded hate crime hoaxer and ANTIFA pedophile admirer @KingJames throws sucker punch. What a complete lowlife and overall punk – and yes I’d say it “man to man” to you.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) November 22, 2021