LeBron James drew conservative backlash after cameras showed him appearing to practice a golf swing and shooting motion during the national anthem before his Philadelphia 76ers debut. The clip went viral, though there’s no indication James intended it as a protest or statement.

By the Numbers
  • 76ers beat the Knicks, 106-100.
  • James is 41 years old.
Yes, But

Critics called James’s behavior disrespectful, while the clip alone doesn’t establish his intent. The backlash also lands amid a long-running pattern of conservative criticism of James, including over his past comments about President Donald Trump.

Bottom Line

A brief, ambiguous moment during the anthem became a political flashpoint—driven as much by James’s history with his critics as by what the video actually shows.