LeBron James’ Suspicious Behavior During NBA Game Causes A Stir
LeBron James' Suspicious Behavior During NBA Game Causes A Stir
Recent video footage of NBA superstar LeBron James has sparked a flurry of speculation online. The clip shows James sniffing a substance before a game, leading some social media users to make unfounded allegations about performance-enhancing drugs. However, experts familiar with athletic practices recognize this as likely being smelling salts, a common and legal substance used by many athletes across various sports.
LeBron sniffing PED’s right before the game, Adam Silver really allowing this 🤦 pic.twitter.com/YGgMFeTI2j
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) April 1, 2025
Smelling salts, which release ammonia gas, are used to trigger an inhalation reflex that helps heighten alertness and awareness. This practice is particularly common among athletes seeking to increase focus before competition or during intense physical activity. Despite the online controversy, it’s important to note that smelling salts are not classified as performance-enhancing drugs and remain perfectly legal in professional basketball.
LeBron James Was Earlier Accused Of Doing PEDs
Throughout his career, LeBron James has faced occasional allegations about performance-enhancing drug (PED) use. These claims resurfaced prominently during March 2025 when Patrick Bet-David discussed the topic on his podcast, suggesting James might be using growth hormones to maintain his elite performance level at age 40.
Bet-David referenced an alleged connection to the Biogenesis scandal, claiming that James’ business manager Earnest Mims and trainer David Alexander were named in federal documents. However, he acknowledged there was no direct evidence linking James himself to PED use.
Some social media accounts amplified these claims, suggesting the NBA may have attempted to suppress information about James’ alleged connections to the Biogenesis investigation. These accounts noted that James’ representatives declined interview requests from ESPN despite the network providing context for their questioning.
Former NBA star Ron Harper came to James’ defense amid the speculation. Harper urged critics to allow James to continue his career without the burden of unsubstantiated allegations. He emphasized that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had already cleared James during their Biogenesis investigation.
Key facts about the allegations:
- The DEA found no evidence of wrongdoing by James
- James has never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs
- Claims often focus on his longevity and performance at an advanced age
- His connections to certain individuals were examined but yielded no proof of misconduct
These allegations emerged years after James had already established himself as one of basketball’s greatest players, having won championships with multiple franchises including the Cavaliers. Throughout his career, James has played alongside numerous stars including Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, and competed against legends like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.
The scrutiny James faces reflects the skepticism often directed at athletes who maintain exceptional performance into their later years.
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.
