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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has been the subject of criticism for his comments made about Israel at the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Over the past two-plus decades, the voice of Los Angeles Lakers‘ superstar LeBron James has carried a ton of weight across the NBA and sports world in general. However, while speaking over the league’s annual All-Star Break, James made headlines for his comments in a not-so-great light, as he spoke about the country of Israel, amid their war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
When asked about Portland Trail Blazers’ star Deni Avdija, who hails from Israel, and his fans from the country, James’ response sparked major backlash.
“(Avdija’s) playing exceptional basketball, so that’s that. And then, if I had fans over there, I’ve never been there,” James said. “If I have fans over there, then I hope you’ve been following my career, I hope I inspire people over there to not only want to be great at sports but be better in general in life. So, hopefully, someday I could make it over there. Like I said, I’ve never been over there, but I heard great things. I appreciate the question.”
Israel has been accused of crimes against humanity by the Human Rights Watch for their war in Gaza, and James became an immediate target online for criticism for not addressing the conflict.
LeBron James’ Israel Comments
While James’ comments didn’t address the conflict directly, or in any manner for that matter, that didn’t stop him from receiving subsequent criticism.
James received both support and opposition on social media for his Israel comments.
“The athletes who once had the courage to speak up for the injustices of other people don’t exist anymore. The BLM stuff in 2020 was just a publicity stunt for people to watch the bubble games. These guys get paid and get told to shut up and dribble. And they do it proudly. Sickening,” a social media user said, according to Quincy Thomas of Where Is The Buzz.
“Absolutely nothing wrong with this answer,” another user posted. “What an amazing answer for a clearly set up question, wow.”
In the past, James has been a proponent of civil rights and personal freedoms, as seen in his ‘Shut Up And Dribble’ saga with Fox News host Laura Ingraham.
Despite that, James has come under fire for not addressing what has been one of the biggest political issues across the globe over the past few years.
Avdija, the subject of the original question posed to James, has been outward and open about his support for his home country.
“I’m an athlete. I don’t really get into politics, because it’s not my job,” Avdija said in a recent interview with The Athletic. “I obviously stand for my country, because that’s where I’m from. It’s frustrating to see all the hate. Like, I have a good game or get All-Star votes, and all the comments are people connecting me to politics. Like, why can’t I just be a good basketball player? Why does it matter if I’m from Israel, or wherever in the world, or what my race is? Just respect me as a basketball player.”
In what was perhaps the only other chapter relating to Israel at the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, noted New York Knicks super fan Spike Lee was seen wearing a pro-Palestine outfit to the event, though he didn’t make a public comment on the wardrobe choice.
LeBron James All-Star Weekend Comments
Though perhaps James’ comments on Israel made the most headlines, it was far from the only thing he discussed at his All-Star Weekend press conference in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Perhaps the next most notable topic he addressed was retirement, as there have been rampant rumors about the league’s all-time leading scorer calling it quits after this year, once his contract with the Lakers runs out.
“Yeah, I mean, I want to live,” James said. “When I know, you guys will know. I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live, that’s all.”
While there has also been mass speculation about James leaving the Lakers for a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he also didn’t address that topic.
Furthermore, James discussed the team ramping up for the playoffs, his hopes of staying healthy for the rest of the season, potentially becoming a team owner once he retires, as well as giving flowers to a number of players across the league.
But as James has yet to publicly confirm his plans for next season, he once again kept everyone on the edge of their seats as they await either a new contract with the Lakers, news of a move elsewhere, or a retirement announcement.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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