On Saturday, the Wolves stunned the Lakers with their physicality. Before LeBron James and Co. could understand what hit them, they were a game down in the series. Having learnt their lesson, they came prepared last night and fought physicality with more physicality. While the LA team evened the odds, one moment left Laker Nation gasping in concern. LeBron took a nasty hit to the face from Julius Randle and fell on the hardwood writhing in pain. But was he really hurt? Or was it just another Oscar worthy performance?
During the live broadcast, James lay on the floor for several minutes covering his face in agony. However, a close-up shot of the incident making the rounds on social media shows the four-time champ sneakily looking at maybe the refs and his teammates, showing no signs of being hurt. After the momentary lapse, LeBron transitions back to his original expression of pain as he is lifted back up on his feet by his teammates.
Sure enough, the video has raised speculations that James might have flopped to get a foul call. If that was the case, he succeeded because Randle’s made basket on that play did not count as he was called for an offensive foul. Moreover, James’ reaction caused the refs to review the play for a potential flagrant foul. While there was clear wind up by Julius when he hit LBJ, the refs did not upgrade the foul to a flagrant.
LeBron think he slick
(h/t bonbaguy23/TT) pic.twitter.com/10OAMCcEJS
— Overtime (@overtime) April 23, 2025
Although things worked out in LeBron’s favor last night, the close-up video could land him in trouble. Only four years ago, the Lakers star was given a stern warning by the league for violating it’s anti-flopping rule. It happened after James exaggerated his fall following a box out by Dillon Brooks during the Grizzlies clash. Not only Bron, but his then teammate Kyle Kuzma also received the warning for pulling off a similar acting job. If Adam Silver finds James guilty of flopping after yesterday’s play, he might have to face the consequences in the form of a fine or another warning. And looks like the fans have already deemed him guilty after watching the clip.
NBA World deems LeBron James a “drama queen” as he receives new nickname after Game 2 incident
Soon after the video was made public, netizens began accusing James of flopping. Comments like “He such a drama queen” and “He’s too old to be doing that” began flooding in. One even deemed him “LeGoat of flopping.” Well, this is not the first time James had been accused on flopping. He has been known to put some extra theatrics into his falls just to get more foul calls.
He such a drama queen
— KEEZY BABY (@1keezybaby) April 23, 2025
However, LeBron recently addressed those accusations on The Pat McAfee Show, “I am like literally over the last five-six years while everybody’s been claiming I flop all the time, I’m like in the bottom half of free throw attempts per game. You know what the funny thing is, I have a lot of teammates they come to the Lakers and they be like ‘Man, when I used to play against you, I used to think you got every goddamn call and I hated it. And now that I’m your teammate, it’s like Oh my Goodness, you don’t get any calls.’” Yes, James is such a physical specimen that a lot of the times officials do not blow the whistle in his favor because he is too strong. So, he is forced to use some theatrics to get calls. And he has become pretty good at it.
LePeekaboo pic.twitter.com/NyFVp0mmMb
— ໊ (@YETABOi) April 23, 2025
Even in last night’s play, one fan commended his commitment to the act, “It’s incredible how quickly he pulls himself together when the camera catches him.” Also, one netizen had a new nickname for him because of his sneaky look, “LePeekaboo.” Well, James is no stranger to the flopping accusations and even though he might have put some extra antics into it, Randle did smack him hard in the face. So, as long as his antics are helping the Lakers gain an edge, James might not mind getting an earful from some fans. Thoughts?
The post Calls Mount Against LeBron James As Lakers Star Risks Adam Silver’s Punishment Despite Receiving Warning appeared first on EssentiallySports.