After the NBA sent a memo instructing teams to prepare to possibly play in empty arenas amid the coronavirus outbreak, Lakers superstar LeBron James said he will not play under those conditions.
“I ain’t playing,” James said after the Lakers defeated the Bucks on Friday night, per USA Today’s Mark Medina. “I ain’t got the fans in the crowd. That’s who I play for. I play for my teammates. I play for the fans. That’s what it’s all about. If I show up to an arena and there are no fans in there, I ain’t playing. They can do what they want to do.”
There’s no indication at this point that the league intends to play any games behind closed doors — this week’s memo was simply advising teams to make preparations in case the situation worsens in the coming days or weeks. However, James insisted that playing without fans in the stands cannot be done.
“We play games without the fans?” James asked. “Nah, it’s impossible.”
As the number of coronavirus cases around the world and in the U.S. has increased, the NBA has released statements at various junctures. Last Saturday, the league said it was working closely with the Center for Disease Control but not anticipating any schedule changes.
“The health and safety of our employees, teams, players and fans is paramount,” that statement read. “We are coordinating with our teams and consulting with the CDC and infectious disease specialists on the coronavirus and continue to monitor the situation closely.”
In another memo, the league warned teams that pre-draft combines and international scouting events could be impacted by the outbreak.
POS Lebron. I won’t play. Call the Wahhhhhhhbulance!
Its on the way to your house first
Egomaniacal Bron literally turned a league-wide memo into a narrative about himself. Wow.
A leauge wide memo that turns fans into dust like Thanks snapped. Guarentee he won’t be the only one to speak out on it.
Well yeah, because he spoke first instead of shutting up. The actual league/game runs through Steph, the ESPN and social media narratives run through Bron.
LOL its funny how you actually believe this garbage. Steph has photos trying to flex with his wife. LBJ ain’t got nothing like that but sure Lebron is the social media egohead.
How was it about himself.. people go out of their way to find reasons to bash lebron.. he said he plays for his teammates and he plays for the fans.. him saying that means he doesn’t want fans to be excluded from watching the team.. comprehend?
Lebron supports the fans by saying no to this nonsense and he gets called an egomaniac? Lol, some people.
What a simp, no fans? how about the vast majority of them who sit at home? you wont play for them, just because nobody can be in attendance. Such a goofy look. But they shouldnt be playing games at all if the outbreak is so bad it’s causing them to not allow fans in the arena. Too much sweat too many bodily fluids, doesnt make enough sense to go through the hassle and risk unless your only concerned about $$$$
I don’t think you know what simp means
Short for simpleton? Ya know like a schmuck? Whats your definition?
Ouch!
In present day slang, being a simp means going to excessive lengths to impress a girl. It’s not something I thought I’d be explaining here.
Michael giving us all the TikTok def! Respect!
If it didn’t exist before social media, it doesn’t count? OK zoomer.
Looks like you’re the one that doesn’t know what it means.
It’s gonna happen, Bron. Get ready!
It’s like lebron wakes up everyday and asks hi self what can I say today to make myself look a bigger dbag than the day before.
As much as I wanna disagree with this….it just seems like it is such the case with him.
How can one player make a league-wide memo all about himself is truly some next-level narcissism.
I like lebron but this makes him sound like such a diva
God forbid he does what he’s paid to do.
God forbid he does what he’s paid to do in front of the people who pay for him to do it.
Ah yes, the “no one is watching at home” defense.
What does he care he still gets paid
Glad LeBron didn’t play in the old ABA. Maybe he should ask Dr J about this.
How bout the Sports Arena in the mid-eighties when the Clippers first came to play in LA in 84. They gave away tickets to get 1000 people in the place on a good night. That was Packed! We used to sit courtside for free. No BS. Don’t remember seeing Billy Crystal in those days….
One foot shorter and he’s playing Rec games with fat guys named Stan and Stu.
I think he probably believes he is immune to the virus because he’s had a few caronas in his life.
LeBron plays for the fans? The same fans he dumped twice in Cleveland and once in Miami?
Well played, TJECK109.
I’m always up for criticizing Lebrun, but some of you guys seem to just pile on whatever he says.
He gets paid by the fans – this statement is actually letting the NBA (and the owners) know that.
You: “oh, he plays for the fans – what an idiot! Going to cry now that there isn’t anyone to watch your greatness?”
The biggest criticism about LeBron is he’s fame-driven, so even when saying its about the fans…the way he made this all about himself really proves that.
The fans actually pay his salary so this is a fair thing to say.
Bron making it about himself while claiming he’s doing it for the fans is ultimate love of the fame.
Lebron could save a kid from a burning car and all you idiots would say he did it to make himself look good…. you honestly think anything you say about him makes a difference.. I’m surprised by all the negativity.. just enjoy his greatness while he’s still playing
Amen bruh!!! Finally someone talking sense in here, much needed!
@GABEPERKINS
Guys, let’s stop pretending that “fans” pay the salaries. The TV contracts pay the salaries, so much so that the salary cap is directly calculated based in majority upon expected TV revenues. I suspect that TV games with no fans would get lower ratings (would they pump in a soundtrack of cheering, like a laugh track on comedy shows?), but the “fans” who attend games are a very very small portion of the revenue the NBA generates – stadium tickets themselves are less revenue than concessions and parking for every team, and in some instances the stadium revenues are shared with a local governmental authority.
So, while I do feel “there is no league without fans” – see my prior comment on the ABA – let’s not pretend that the NBA is concerned about anything other than TV revenue. Even re-scheduling those LA games in respect for Kobe probably triggered some clawback clause in the TV contract, as advertising for those games is sold well in advance and money is returned for ads not run as scheduled.
Hilarious! Like fans don’t watch on the TV? Those people don’t matter? Whatever dude…..
Try not to look for a fight here, I think you misstate my point.
What I am saying is that the NBA doesn’t really care if anyone attends the games, they do care if anyone watches them on TV, as that is the biggest source of income. Not playing the games is not an option, but they have a public relations problem since any public places are a threat to spread the virus. So, playing with no fans in the stadium, as opposed to cancelling the games.
You have to admit, though, that NBA games played in virtual silence would be like watching a practice on TV, not very compelling, the crowd reaction adds a lot to the experience.
He’s right no matter what the haters say. Why should fans be punished because Adam Silver is spineless. The amount of people in the US with the virus could barley fill up 1 section at Staples Center. Silver is prepared to punish us yet won’t dare talk bad about China who started this whole thing.
Agreed this is an idiotic plan
Way to speak up LEBRON!!!
Lebron shows his leadership, no hesitation, everyone else can follow!
While playing in an empty arena would be difficult, if it’s what must be done then he should be professional and play.
Lebron at the center of attention again?! Oh look the sun came up today…
Common, like continual posting in an effort to finally get it right.
Someone is thinking way to much into my posts. It starts to get weird when some freak tries to read your motivations, something he has no insights into because we are complete strangers..WEIRD to say the least.
(posts modded Mar.8)
I actually hope they close games off and the only way to get in is to sign a waiver. That sounds like heaven. All the dumb finkle matter will stay at home while the ticket prices plummet and have a whole stadium to oneself. Corona where have you been all my life!!
LeBron claims to play for fans and his teammates. We know plays for himself and all the attention HE can get.
Maybe that’s what his fans want, if they are fans of his teams. It’s certainly what the league counts on financially.