The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz by 25 points on Wednesday to improve their record to 19-3 on the season. LeBron James recorded a double-double during the 121-96 victory while scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in only 29 minutes of work. But while spending time on the bench in the fourth quarter–after the Lakers had built a 23-point lead heading into the final period–the Jazz television broadcast team took offense to the way LeBron was supporting his teammates out on the floor.
During the Utah broadcast of the game, the Jazz announcers accused James of being “disrespectful” for celebrating on the sidelines without his shoes. What they seemed to simply overlook was the fact that LeBron had given his shoes to a couple of young Jazz fans in attendance after confirming with his coaching staff that he would not be returning to the game.
Below is a video of some of that commentary during the broadcast.
Utah Jazz announcers were having NONE of a shoeless LeBron disrespecting their court 😂pic.twitter.com/Ojuh35h69D
— SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) December 5, 2019
At other points throughout the final minutes of the game, the Utah announcers added the following according to Trevor Lane from Lakers Nation.
Utah announcers angry LeBron w/o shoes & celebrating on the bench. "That's some disrespect. They are clowning right now…. if you're the Jazz you have to watch that and put that in your head for the next time you play. You don't come into someone else's building & wow"
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) December 5, 2019
In a direct response to the criticism, LeBron posted the following on his Instagram account this morning.
“Imagine doing your job at the highest level to where you’re not needed anymore, giving your shoes to a lil girl and boy who you inspire and hoped you made proud that night, then cheering on your teammates cause you love seeing them succeed more than yourself only to be criticized while doing it.
“People it’s the world we live in and you can’t let it ever stop you from your purpose in life. Negativity, bad energy, hate, envy, etc etc will try to bring you down throughout your journey and it’s up to you on how you handle it. I handle it by simply saying “Thank You” with a 😁 on my face and continue to push forward while doing it! LIVE.LAUGH.LOVE 🙏🏾❤️👑”
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