LeBron James Caught Training His ‘Golf Swing’ Throughout Nationwide Anthem

[ad_1] The NBA and the nationwide anthem have been embroiled in controversy for the higher a part of the final decade. In 2020, NBA gamers knelt throughout the anthem on the peak of the BLM protests and riots.

In 2025, followers now declare LeBron James practiced his golf swing throughout the Star-Spangled Banner.

Earlier than Sunday’s sport between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings, James was caught on digital camera swinging his hips and arms because the anthem performed within the background.

Sports activities commentator Craig Carton and different followers felt James was training his golf swing throughout the anthem. Carton referred to as out James’ conduct throughout Monday’s episode of The Craig Carton Present.

“Should you wanna disregard your coach, and disrespect your teammates … do it by yourself time. Don’t do it throughout my nationwide anthem,” Carton stated.

LEBRON DISRESPECTED THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!

“Should you wanna disregard your coach, teammates, do it by yourself time… he disrespects the nationwide anthem… that’s a superb time to work on my golf swing? Whereas the anthem is being performed?” — @craigcartonlive #NBA #Lakers #LeBronJames pic.twitter.com/sMZ66TITDA

— The Craig Carton Present (@CraigCartonShow) December 29, 2025

Clearly, Carton was not proud of James not listening to the Star-Spangled Banner.

“Your man, the self-appointed king, decides that’s a superb time for me to work on my golf swing and disrespect the women and men of the navy who gave their lives for this nation. Let me get a pair air swings in whereas the anthem is being performed as a result of I don’t play good basketball anymore, I set to work on my golf sport,” Carton stated.

Sunday might have been the primary time James’ golf sport crossed over with the anthem, however the 41-year-old has made headlines this season for his head seemingly being on the green as an alternative of the basketball courtroom.

Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships

Throughout a timeout in October, James was seen getting golf suggestions from a teammate as an alternative of listening to what was taking place contained in the huddle.

Earlier in December, he was training his golf swing throughout the Lakers sport in opposition to the Phoenix Suns.

These incidents have been head scratchers, however Sunday’s antics had pushback.

It provides to the longstanding rocky street between sports activities and the nationwide anthem.

In 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first kneeled for the anthem in protest. James supported Kaepernick’s actions for years, even kneeling a number of instances throughout the anthem himself.

Throughout Sunday’s sport, it didn’t seem that James was protesting the anthem. As an alternative, the 23-year NBA veteran merely wasn’t standing at consideration like most everybody else within the enviornment.

Showing to work on a golf swing at any level throughout an NBA sport is a priority for Lakers followers. Lakers coach JJ Redick stated in a latest interview that his staff merely doesn’t care sufficient. James’ shut pal, Dwayne Wade, stated his former teammate isn’t too involved about his coach’s feedback.

“LeBron is on his golf simulator proper now,” Wade stated.

It’s clear that James, like many Individuals, loves golf. Perhaps the backlash from Sunday’s swinging is sufficient for the NBA legend to rethink what he does throughout the two minutes it takes to honor the US.