Lakers superstar LeBron James violated the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols by attending an event promoting his tequila brand, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports.
James was reportedly one of several big-name guests at the event, which included rapper Drake and actor Michael B. Jordan, per McMenamin. Attendees were required to provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test.
“It’s a violation of the agreed upon protocols, and, as we have in other comparable instances around the league, it has been addressed with the team,” an NBA spokesman said to ESPN.
Despite the violation, James will not be suspended, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). James’ attendance at the event did not rise to “a threat level of virus spread” and he will be available for the team’s first-round series against the Suns, which tips off on Sunday.
As McMenamin notes, James has declined to outright state whether or not he has yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Teammate Dennis Schröder recently told German outlet N-TV last month that he and James both had not been vaccinated, but later amended that statement, telling reporters, “I’m the only guy that didn’t get vaccinated. I’ll just leave it at that.”
The Lakers as a team have yet to reach the 85% threshold for fully vaccinated players and personnel, which would loosen several health and safety protocols.
“We have not reached it yet, but we’re still hopeful,” head coach Frank Vogel said recently. “And I think there’s obvious benefits from the standpoint of us being able to do more things with each other in the cities that we’re going to. Something that’s been absent leaguewide in terms of team building and team bonding for all of us. “
Anyone else not on the Lakers would be suspended.
Anyone else in the NBA would be, but the anointed one gets away with pissy behavior on the court and off.
100%
And people still don’t believe league is rigged!!!! Daniel house says hello!
This league is comical. Who takes it seriously anymore? Different rules for different players. Gimmicky little 24 hour fitness tournaments. Played by adolescent minded children.
I wonder who gets fined $25K for pointing out the obvious.
Anyone fined for calling this out should refuse to pay a penny. Challenge the league on this.
Rules don’t apply to “King” James. Sounds like privilege to me.
It’s called oppression dude, lebron only made 100 million last year, can you imagine, life gotta be so tough for him
And don’t think he didn’t factor that in when making his decision. He flaunted the rules because he knew nothing would happen. So much for being a leader.
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”
Schroder will probably get fined for violating James’ HIPAA rights.
apparently HIPAA no longer applies to anyone
“Rules for thee, but not for me”.
Typical and expected.
This is why NBA ratings have dropped
This is so ridiculous. Not that I think players should be suspended etc for doing this. But levert was just out for violating protocols, numerous other players have been forced to miss games. They’ve never used the language “a threat level for virus spread”, how do you even determine that?
Lebron could tell silver to jump off a bridge & he’d thank him
He should be placed in Covid quarantine for 10 to 14 days. We will wait and see what the NBA does since its their biggest star. Watch them give him special treatment.
Steph Curry has been in playoff quarantine for 2 years
still better than your rockets team.
I’m a Lakers fan sir
You barely beat the warriors on a miracle shot and you talk smack?? SMH
You lost to the Memphis Grizzlies. Just sit this one out.
Grizzlies are a good team. So you admit you just troll comments here living your life through a NBA team. That is sad you must troll a team that lost 2 tough games in the last minute.
Dawg every comment I see from you is about LeBron or the Lakers despite you being a Warrior fan. You’re clearly the one who likes to troll. Still got trauma from 2016 lol.
That is not true. Why do you make up things here? You just want to make up excuses for trolling people. What does 2016 have to do with this comment? Sounds like you are the bitter person living your life through Lebron.
Ok 5 percent of your comments are about the Warriors, other 95 LeBron/Lakers. Its always how they aren’t actually going to be good enough or the NBA is rigging it for them. Man I hope we go back to back just to see the comments here.
95%? Why do you make up stuff? I could say the same about you 100% of your comments are trolling warrior fans because of your low self esteem issues. You were caught in a troll comment and now back tracking. Warriors problem all season was not closing out games. the last 2 games were winnable but they choked that could have been said about 10 of their regular season games this year. Problem with you is you want to play the victim card if somebody is not praising the lakers. I been saying for the last month Utah is the team to beat. You say the Lakers. I bet I am correct on that.
My only Warrior comments are in replies to Warrior trolls. You have been well established as one of them. There is a good chance LeBron gets his 5th ring and the Lakers get 1 behind the Warriors recent “dynasty”. That is going to hurt self esteem in the bay area. Maybe Draymond can go back to the parking lot and call KD.
See how you are the troll>.. here is my only Laker quote Give the Lakers credit they did a adjustment in playing small ball. Drummond makes them worst not better. Vogel saw that the warriors were to quick for them so he adjusted and brought smaller players off the bench. LeBron had to adjust too and went to being a passer trying to be a Green type player. Not sure why people say their defense is not good they have great defensive players. So can you explain why you take offense to my last quote about Lakers????
Yup A miracle shot by who again?????
Lebron. give the man his due he hit the 1 in a million shot.
Players today make that shot with their eyes closed. And yes Drummond was a waste of a roster spot
How about them warriors!!!!!! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahshahhahahahahahahahahahahahah
bad coaching in last nights game. Kerr got out coached.
So do you agree with Marty that Kerr should be fired?
Speaking of which, where is Marty? He has been curiously absent.
Not sure who would replace him. Kerr should not have played Curry and Green without a rest. Kerr needs to design plays that doesn’t mean ONLY give the ball to Curry. Houston did it with harden and it failed. Both LA and Memphis knew to double team Curry.
I can’t stand LeBron, or the Lakers, but nobody should have any sort of protocol after they have been vaccinated. People have been screaming about trusting the science for over a year now. It’s time to walk the walk instead of just talking the talk.
Yeah I have followed the rules and have “played my part”…not necessarily because I’m worried about getting the virus myself since I have been exposed to it multiple times and didn’t test positive, but because I want to help end this nightmare we’ve been living in for the past 13 months…I am fully vaccinated and want to take my damn mask off and start living a normal life again…of course California is behind the times on loosening restrictions and is going to keep a firm grip on controlling its population until June 15th despite the CDC putting new guidelines out last week.
He wouldn’t say whether or not he’s been vaccinated. That means he hasn’t been vaccinated.
@Teeball in addition his teammate said in german media he wasn’t.
James’ attendance at the event did not rise to “a threat level of virus spread”…then why isn’t the NBA adjusting their protocols as the science progresses? If something isn’t dangerous then why are they still considering it a violation at all?
This feels like a bad look for the NBA.
If it wasn’t the face of the league, what would have happened?
Say it was Demarcus Cousins, would he be suspended?
Even a miles bridges, would he?
The fact that we are even asking these questions makes it seem sketchy and unfair
Did he or didn’t he know the rules of the protocol? Yes of course! Did he knowingly violate that protocol? Absolutely! So why does he get privileges not that would be given to others? Because it’s LeBron James! This is a slap in the face of not just his teammates and not only all the players of the NBA but it’s also a slap in the face of those veterans who would have never broken the rules. Just another example of a spoiled athlete who thinks he’s above everyone else. Pathetic!
Draymond would’ve gotten fined for THINKING about goin to that event
on god
He doesn’t have to worry about that. Memphis took care of suspending him for the rest of the year last night.
Straight up BS!!
It’s LeBron’s league. Everyone else just plays in it. I thought the NBA was in the toilet with Stern. Silver is 100 times worse.
Either the protocols need to be changed or the superstar needs to be suspended. Which is it? Silver has to choose one.
Silver doesnt have to choose just because you say so. Haha
Time and time again lebron James is gifted special treatment by the league. In the end The nba is a business and as a business they do whatever they want to make the most money as possible. They care not if they follow the rules they put in place, they don’t care if the league is fair. This is sad for fans of basketball and highlights the failures in the nba. For too long has Lebron James had the refs on his payroll.
True+true+true+true+false = liar, lying… using truths as a way of advancing the lie that was always intended.
And about the truths… not even relevant or unusual IRL.
Lol ik that lebron doesn’t actually pay the refs. But he does get preferential treatment and it can be argued that refs favor stars such as him.
The sad thing is just a few days ago the Hawks coach was fined for claiming the league would help the Knicks win as it is better for them money and business wise to have the Knicks win. Here silver backs up that idea as he blatantly helps the lakers win, proving that the league tries to have bigger and more popular players/teams win.
I didn’t say this last year because I thought they earned the title, but if the Lakers win it all this year I give them a big asterisk. Adam Silver is copying Rob Manfred on how to be a terrible commissioner with this.
Us Laker fans wont be losing any sleep over your asterisks
I knew the comments here would be deranged. For those wondering why he isn’t forced to sit out while others like KD or Harden were just read lmao. He violated protocols but it wasn’t deemed to be at risk of spread. Harden and KD were at night clubs when there wasn’t access to the vaccine for the public yet. The pandemic is winding down. No one will be forced to sit out at this point unless they actually test positive or came in contact with someone who did. But hey LeBron Bad! narratives are easier
I miss the old system where we could downvote
Tell me one thing that’s wrong about what I said troll. Not many players have been forced to sit out due to conduct. Beyond Harden and KD can you even name one?
Lmao dude what are u talking about. The league just didn’t let levert play in the play in bc of protocols..
Because he came into contact with someone who actually tested positive, something LeBron did not. You people don’t do your research and it shows.
Many are butthurt by LeBron. And now they are being trolled by the league Too funny
‘it wasn’t deemed to be at risk of spread.’
And this was determined how? James hasn’t been vaccinated and who knows if anyone he was around have been?
Not a LeBron hater by any means but this is absolutely ludicrous for him not to miss time for this. Suns should petition the league to have LeBron quarantined and say they don’t feel safe exposing their players to a potential safety risk.
Maybe they did research on the event or tested people LeBron came into close contact with? COVID numbers across the country have fallen off a cliff. Believe it or not most events now are not “super spreaders” anymore. The league just said coaches don’t even need to wear masks anymore. This isnt fall 2020.
Fair enough. Then the league should dispense with COVID protocols as of today, or retroactive as of night of LeBron’s event.
But you can’t have the protocols in place and selectively enforce them. Silver can put out whatever mumbo jumbo he wants about reduced risk but it is what it is.
Exactly.
But this is the type of thing that rightfully rubs people the wrong way about LeBron. He’s a moralist when it comes to everyone else, but a libertarian when it comes to his own behavior.
Thats a reach but its worth it to know that you are engrossed with LeBrons behavior
Is it a reach?
Last time I checked LeBron has his fair share of soap boxes, so it’s a little odd he’s not willing to abide by the basic League rules of a pandemic, no?
Either way, glad you enjoyed. Being of fan of the NBA I do tend to follow the behavior of the League’s best player :)
Who is to say he didnt abide? The event was outside and a vaccination or a negative test was required. Its not like he went to a strip club. But either way I find it amusing that so many hang on every one of LeBrons words and actions.
Who’s to say he didn’t abide? This article you’re commenting on is literally about *the NBA* saying he violated COVID protocol. Take a minute and read the first paragraph of this article.
Jealousexgirlfriendsoflebron…rumors.com
this dude walks on water, amazing.
I guess the rules just don’t apply to LeBron. How typical.
Thats what happens when your team is relevant and good.. Too bad the Rockets wont qualify for years
It is too bad the Rockets won’t qualify for the draft lottery for years, which isn’t at all surprising if you consider that they rarely do.
Hopefully they will take advantage of the opportunity, keep their top-4 pick, and use it on a replacement for Harden. Maybe Cade?
This is Lebron folks, nothing should disturb Adam’s cash cow.
Not a cash cow, he’s a golden goat (ie, false idol).
So you admit you worship him. What else would Wallywood do with someone he hates?— worship it.
don’t mind him not getting suspended given the situation, but more than anything just wish it was fair all around. you know damn well if this was a random role player he’d be suspended
The best part about this is too see all those that are butthurt by LeBron get even more riled up. Too funny
I AM SO UPSET BY THIS!!!!
OH MAN, I SURE AM ANGRY!!!
I wonder what would happen if the Suns just refused to get on the court with him for health and safety reasons.
I think the whole protcal thing is stupid and mainly for show anymore.
With that being said rules are rules and LeBron broke the rules and should be punished .
If this were anybody else in the NBA, they’d be suspended right away. The NBA needs the ratings so God forbid they suspend the great Lebron James. I used to like him, but can’t stand him anymore. God I hope they get knocked out in the first round
Pray to God to forgive you for your Lakers envy lol
They are all vaccinated by now. Truth is he should of been fined. Or suspended a gm. Double standard is not wise. Lakers ain’t Winning anyway Soooooooo
Bron will get his Vacation . Move on it’s the playoffs
Phoenix should protest by not taking the court. He could give someone COVID!
Boy oh boy! Folks get sooo riled up ’bout nothin’!
Of course you suspend roll players & not LBJ, come on guys wake up!
No one cares ’bout competition or fairness, this is a business, entertainment business, so the fans, yeah you & I pay to watch LBJ do his thing, no one pays to watch a role player, as simple as!
LBJ & the NBA did the right thing, if you don’t like it don’t watch, NBA fans don’t care ’bout you, after all, NBA is stronger than ever & getting better yet!
Danuel House violates healthy and safety protocols, and he is banished from the bubble in Orlando with absolutely no proof other than the word of some worker who was most likely paid off by the Lakers to lie. LA goes on to win the title last year.
LeBron James violates healthy and safety protocols, the proof is plain to see, everyone saw him do it. Punishment? None whatsoever, not even a slap on the wrist.
What a load of BS bitterness. The NBA had other proof called “circumstantial” in irrelevant disciplines. It wasn’t a trial nor did it need that jurisprudence. Circumstantial evidence is not even banned in courts all the time.
No similarity in scale or danger to others either.
Then of course the usual paranoia followed, and a demand for instant same-day justice. Pathetic Wallywood.
Even with LeBron not going into health and safety protocols, when any one of the 528 other players in the NBA would have, the Lakers still barely managed to score 90 points today. Watch them get swept in the first round, that would be hilarious.