{"id":2403647,"date":"2025-02-18T09:47:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T14:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lebron-savaged-after-selfishly-skipping-game-at-the-last-second-struggling-nba-silent\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T09:48:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T14:48:29","slug":"lebron-savaged-after-selfishly-skipping-game-at-the-last-second-struggling-nba-silent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lebron-savaged-after-selfishly-skipping-game-at-the-last-second-struggling-nba-silent\/","title":{"rendered":"LeBron Savaged After Selfishly Skipping Game at the Last Second, Struggling NBA Silent"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flebron-savaged-after-selfishly-skipping-game-at-the-last-second-struggling-nba-silent%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2403647&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>LeBron James recently attracted significant media attention by withdrawing from the NBA All-Star Game just hours before the \u2062event, an \u2062action that\u2062 sparked anger among fans.This unexpected decision, allegedly due\u200b to injury, has led \u200dsome fans to speculate that James was trying to preserve his All-Star streak \u2064rather than allowing a younger player to \u2062take his spot. \u2063The All-Star Game\u2064 has \u2062undergone format changes, leading to\u200d criticisms \u2063about the game&#8217;s competitiveness. While james&#8217;s presence was anticipated, his\u2062 last<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">-minute\u2064 pullout left fans feeling<\/a> \u200che prioritized personal accolades \u200dover team spirit, given\u200d that he could have opted out earlier to allow \u2063for \u200ca replacement. Despite his reasons for \u2064withdrawing,the situation has \u200bintensified the\u2062 ongoing discourse surrounding James&#8217;s legacy and player \u2064conduct in the league.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Just weeks after a blockbuster trade nabbed all the headlines for new Los Angeles Laker Luka Doncic, LeBron James has successfully wrestled back the spotlight from his teammate.<\/p>\n<p>It just probably wasn&rsquo;t how he wanted to do it.<\/p>\n<p>James, no <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/lebron-james-endorses-kamala-harris-using-wildly-misleading-video\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stranger<\/a> to controversy (or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/lebron-james-gets-roasted-strange-response-trumps-victory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">roasting<\/a> from viewers), was lambasted by fans after he abruptly pulled out of the NBA All Star Game on Sunday, just a couple hours before tip-off.<\/p>\n<p>And those angry fans think they know exactly why James pulled the stunt the way he did.<\/p>\n<p>To wit, the NBA, whose television ratings woes are a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsbusinessjournal.com\/Articles\/2025\/02\/12\/nba-viewership-down-6\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">poorly kept secret<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/french-president-macron-woke-social-science-theories-entirely-imported-from-u-s-are-eroding-france\/\" title=\"French President Macron: Woke \u2018Social Science Theories Entirely Imported\u2019 From U.S. Are Eroding France\">media world<\/a>, held its annual All Star festivities over the weekend. Events ranged from a celebrity game, to a three-point contest, to a dunk contest.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>The ostensible crown jewel of the event, however, is Sunday&rsquo;s All Star game itself, which pits some of the best basketball players in the world against each other.<\/p>\n<p>(That is, if they&rsquo;re trying. A common knock against the modern All Star game and its diminishing ratings is that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-proved-democrats-want-to-forever-exploit-illegal-migrants\/\" title=\"Trump Proved Democrats Want To Forever Exploit Illegal Migrants\">players don&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t put any effort into the game.)<\/p>\n<p>The All Star game itself, usually played like a traditional basketball game, has gone under a massive restructure this year, featuring four mini-teams playing in a tournament, where games are won by the first team to score 40.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s as confusing as it sounds and is virtually unrecognizable from the days of Michael Jordan trying to rip the figurative heart out of Clyde Drexler in an All Star game.<\/p>\n<p>Given how unrecognizable the game&rsquo;s format is, it would&rsquo;ve been nice to feature one of the most recognizable &mdash; for better and for worse &mdash; faces in the world of professional sports.<\/p>\n<p>Or, in lieu of that, it would&rsquo;ve been nearly as nice if said recognizable face was properly replaced by another, slightly less recognizable face.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/took-one-game-lebrons-new-coach-start-whining-basketballs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">James<\/a> ensured neither would happen by withdrawing from the game so close to tip-off.<\/p>\n<p>(In fact, one of those four squads was captained and named after James himself: &ldquo;Team LeBron.&rdquo;)<\/p>\n<p>As the NBA remained mum on James citing mysterious injury ailments for pulling out (it&rsquo;s against NBA rules to falsify information on injury reports), fans raged against James for seemingly trying to preserve his All Star candidacy.<\/p>\n<p>Had James pulled out earlier, the NBA would&rsquo;ve had enough time to find a suitable replacement, though it&rsquo;s fair to wonder if James would&rsquo;ve bristled at seeing something like &ldquo;Team Doncic&rdquo; replace &ldquo;Team LeBron.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But had Doncic, or someone else, stepped up to replace him, that would&rsquo;ve come at James&rsquo; personal expense, snapping his two-decade All Star streak.<\/p>\n<p>And fans are privy to that idea:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Selfish as always. He just HAD to be there to stat pad another All Star selection&hellip;.crazy he&rsquo;s anybody&rsquo;s Goat&hellip;.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; &#120123;&#120160;&#120158;&#120154;&#120159;&#120154;&#120148;&#120156; &#127911; &#120141;&#120154;&#120152;&#120152;&#120154;&#120146;&#120159;&#120160; &#120143; (@dj_viggi) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dj_viggi\/status\/1891287029381570783?\">February 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Selfish as always,&rdquo; one X user said in response to a clip of the interview. &ldquo;He just HAD to be there to stat pad another All Star selection.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Given that the injuries James is purportedly nursing are severe enough to keep him out of a game, some fans surmised that James knew he was hurt &mdash; thus having ample time to nobly allow a younger star to take his place.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He knew he wasn&rsquo;t going to play,&rdquo; the user <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/T_rashPandada\/status\/1891289423070785558\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">posted<\/a>. &ldquo;Could&rsquo;ve stepped aside and let someone else get a shot but he&rsquo;d never do that.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/lebron-james-quits-social-media-due-negativity-attack-trump-supporters-failed-help-kamala-harris-win\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">James<\/a>, Doncic, and the rest of their merry band of Lakers will next play Wednesday, when the team hosts the Charlotte Hornets.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\"> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> \t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\"> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> \t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just weeks after a major trade made headlines for new Los Angeles Laker Luka Doncic, LeBron James has managed to reclaim the spotlight from his teammate, albeit not in the way he intended. Known for attracting controversy and criticism, James faced backlash from fans when he unexpectedly withdrew from the NBA All-Star Game just hours before it began. Many fans believe they understand his motives behind this last-minute decision. The NBA held its annual All-Star festivities over the weekend, which included various events like a celebrity game and a dunk contest, but the highlight was supposed to be Sunday\u2019s All-Star game featuring top players competing against each other\u2014though many criticize that players often lack effort in these games.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s format of the All-Star game underwent significant changes, introducing four mini-teams competing in a tournament where games are won by reaching 40 points first. This new structure is quite different from traditional formats seen in past years. Fans were disappointed that one of basketball&#8217;s most recognizable figures wouldn\u2019t be participating due to his late withdrawal (especially since one of the teams was named \u201cTeam LeBron\u201d). The NBA did not comment on James\u2019 cited injury as it is against league rules to misrepresent injury statuses.<\/p>\n<p>Had James withdrawn earlier, there would have been time for a suitable replacement; however, some speculate he wanted to avoid seeing another player take his spot and jeopardize his long-standing streak of All-Star appearances. Fans expressed their frustration online, accusing him of being selfish and prioritizing personal accolades over allowing younger talent an opportunity. Despite nursing injuries serious enough to keep him out of play, some believe he should have stepped aside for someone else instead of trying to maintain his status as an All-Star player. Next up for James and Doncic will be their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2403648,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LeBron.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50560,32997,42110,50561,33418],"class_list":["post-2403647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-game-decisions","tag-lebron-james","tag-nba-news","tag-player-behavior","tag-sports-controversy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LeBron.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2403647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2403647"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2403647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2403655,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2403647\/revisions\/2403655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2403648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2403647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2403647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2403647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}