LeBron James’ Late All-Star Withdrawal Draws Criticism
Los Angeles, California – NBA superstar LeBron James drew widespread criticism on Sunday evening when he announced, just 90 minutes before the scheduled tip-off of the NBA All-Star Game, that he would be withdrawing from the event due to a foot injury.
James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ star forward, cited foot and ankle discomfort as the reason for his absence, ending his streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game appearances. The announcement shocked many, including TNT hosts who expressed their disappointment with the late decision.
"I think ‘Bron coulda helped somebody else out and said this earlier," said Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, according to Awful Announcing.
Former NBA star Jalen Rose added that James "took a roster spot from somebody."
This marks the first time James has missed an All-Star Game since 2004. He was originally scheduled to play for Team Shaquille O’Neal in the game’s new competition format. His withdrawal left the team with just seven available players: Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and James Harden.
"I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it’s not where I want it to be," James said in a statement. "And with 30 games left and with us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild, West, I feel like it’s very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming on."
"So, I won’t say it’s maintenance, but it is maintenance," he continued. "At the same time, I have to look out for myself when it comes to this to this injury I’ve been dealing with for years."
James indicated that he would resume rehabilitating the injury on Monday and expressed hope that he would be able to play on Wednesday when the Lakers return from the All-Star break to face the Charlotte Hornets.
James’ withdrawal has raised questions about his commitment to the All-Star Game and his willingness to play through injuries. Some critics have suggested that he is prioritizing his personal health over the interest of the NBA and its fans.
Others have defended James’ decision, arguing that he is entitled to rest and recover from an injury that has been nagging him for some time. They emphasize that he is averaging 24.3 points, 9 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game this season, indicating that he is still playing at a high level.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
