LeBron James Quits Social Media to Escape 'Negativity' Amid Lakers' Winning Streak
November 20, 2024LeBron James has announced he is stepping away from social media, citing the negativity in sports media coverage as a primary reason.
This decision follows a wave of online criticism directed at him, particularly after the Lakers' recent games, including their victory over the Utah Jazz.
Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed that Bronny James will transition between teams, playing only home games for the South Bay Lakers.
At nearly 40 years old, James remains a key player for the Lakers, averaging 23.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 9.4 assists this season.
LeBron James, who has a massive following of 159 million on Instagram and 52.9 million on X, has a history of making dramatic announcements regarding his career.
In expressing his frustration, James referred to the current state of media as a 'damn shame,' echoing sentiments shared by Rich Kleiman, who criticized clickbait journalism.
As he prepares for his 22nd NBA season, James's social media break comes at a crucial time, allowing him to focus on the long season ahead.
James's announcement comes after he faced skepticism regarding his support for rookie Dalton Knecht, which he previously expressed during Knecht's college career.
Despite the media turmoil, the Los Angeles Lakers are enjoying a strong season with a record of 10-4 and are currently on a six-game winning streak.
Dalton Knecht recently made headlines by scoring a career-high 37 points against the Utah Jazz, tying the NBA rookie record for most three-pointers in a game.
The Lakers are aiming for a championship run this season, bolstered by strong performances from both James and Anthony Davis, who averages 30.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
Summary based on 14 sources
Get a daily email with more NBA stories
Sources
The Guardian • Nov 21, 2024
LeBron James says he’s taking a social media break over ‘negative takes’AP News • Nov 20, 2024
LeBron James says he's taking a social media break for nowESPN • Nov 20, 2024
Lakers star LeBron James says he's taking social media break - ESPN