LeBron James violated the NBA’s pandemic protocol when he attended his liquor brand unveiling on the eve of the inaugural “play-in game” against the Golden State Warriors.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar attended a photoshoot for the release of his tequila brand alongside the likes of rap luminary Drake and Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan.
Drake even put the evidence showing King James’ attendance on his Instagram page.
The league confirmed that James breached the protocol rules.
“It’s a violation of the agreed-upon protocols, and, as we have in other comparable instances around the league, it has been addressed with the team,” a league spokesman told ESPN on Friday.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, LBJ will not be suspended for protocol violation.
LeBron James won't be suspended for protocols violation, sources tell ESPN. Nature of event didn't rise to a threat level of virus spread, as described in @McTen's story below. Suns-Lakers Game 1 on Sunday. https://t.co/nEAcnBsbvv
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 22, 2021
James defended his decision to attend the event.
“Anything I do off the floor is predicated to my family for the majority or 99.9 percent of that,” James said on Friday after practice. “It’s about the health and safety of my family. That’s what it came down to. Being available to my teammates on the floor is about taking care of my body and me doing everything I can to make sure I’m available both mentally, physically and spiritually as well. But anything of that nature is all family talk.”
Famously outspoken NBA analyst Charles Barkley was blunt in his assessment of the league’s courage to suspend the face of the NBA during the playoffs.
“If it was a nobody, they would put him in health and safety protocols. Ain’t no f—— way LeBron James is going to be … out because of health and safety protocols,” Barkley said according to Yahoo! Sports. “When I read that, I just started laughing. LeBron James is playing Sunday. Guaranteed.”
"Ain't no f***ing way LeBron James is going to be sit out because of health and safety protocols."
Charles Barkley weighs in on the NBA and LeBron as only he can 🗣
Story, ICYMI ➡️ https://t.co/oV0JHNbfQB pic.twitter.com/pll38v6CnU
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 22, 2021
