Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James stirred up controversy this week when he revealed that he wasn’t a particularly big fan of Boston Celtics fans.
Calling out an entire fan base is a polarizing enough move on its own, but the reason why James hates them was even more incendiary.
“Boston because they racist as f*ck that’s why, they will say anything. I’ve been dealing with this my whole life, I don’t mind it,” he said.
LeBron was asked what city he hates playing in the most:
“Boston… because Celtics fans are racist as f*ck.”
via @admvp_ | The Shop on HBOMax
pic.twitter.com/GT3MLCHuG3— 🪬 Lakers Vino (@VinoUncorked) July 15, 2022
“Like if I hear someone close by I check him real quick then move onto the game. They gonna say whatever the f*ck they wanna say, I even got a beer thrown on me once leaving the game.”
One person who didn’t take kindly to that? Barstool Sports founder, Dave Portnoy.
Portnoy’s response to James largely speaks for itself:
Never forget when Lebron basically defended genocide in China to line his pockets https://t.co/3yvlapKJMO pic.twitter.com/dGdm8RdntB
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 16, 2022
It is a reference to James refusing to comment on the NBA’s issues with China because it would cost him sponsorship-wise, while being an extremely vocal proponent of political and societal affairs that don’t hinder him financially.
Whether that’s a fair criticism or not is up to every individual to decide on their own.
Portnoy has never been one to bite his tongue. His recent run-ins with Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green speak for themselves.
Beyond that, Portnoy is also no stranger to controversy. He also isn’t afraid to publicly speak his mind on whatever he wishes to speak on (though his girl has softened him up a bit).
Dillon Brooks is having himself quite the offseason. https://t.co/yXBNHC35bS
— Game 7 (@game7__) July 16, 2022
James generally doesn’t respond to stuff like this. And it’s unlikely that’ll change in this instance.
But if he does, Portnoy will no doubt be ready and waiting for him.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
