The NBA said on Sunday that the two fans who The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James had ejected from a game last week had allegedly violated the league’s code of conduct for fans.
“NBA spokesman Mike Bass on the two courtside fans at Pacers-Lakers who were removed from seats: ‘The fans were ejected for violating the NBA Fan Code of Conduct,’” Shams Charania, NBA analyst for The Atlantic, tweeted. “Sources said the two fans made inappropriate comments and gestures toward Lakers star LeBron James. No lifetime ban or further consequence is expected.”
Sources said the two fans made inappropriate comments and gestures toward Lakers star LeBron James. No lifetime ban or further consequence is expected. https://t.co/O2qALhjWSV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 28, 2021
There have been no official reports on what the fans said, only unsubstantiated rumors from disreputable sources, however, video does show that one of the two fans did appear to be waving his arms at James in the moments leading up to James having the fans thrown out of the game.
James is seen grabbing an official by the arm, bringing the official to where the fans were seated, and pointing at the individuals in question 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
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.
There was a lot of negative reaction online to the incident, with many calling James “LeSnitch” or “LeKaren” for getting the fans ejected.
James was later fined $15,000 for an obscene gesture that he made during the game and he was warned about foul language that he used in media interviews.
“James has been fined $15,000 for making an obscene gesture on the playing court and warned for using profane language during media availability in response to league imposed discipline,” the NBA said in a statement. “The incident occurred with 1:17 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 124-116 overtime win against the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 24 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.”
The video featured below shows the incident at the 1:17 mark in the fourth quarter that the league deemed to be an “obscene gesture.”
This @KingJames celebration 😂 pic.twitter.com/lCC1cmEcPh
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 25, 2021
The league’s warning about James’ use of foul language appears to come from the remarks that he made to ESPN while he was responding to the news that he had been suspended for a game for striking a player in the face.
“I mean, it’s some bulls***,” James told ESPN. “But whatever.”