Jamie Foxx came to the defense of NBA superstar LeBron James on Saturday, offering a strong statement in response to criticism of the Lakers player.
James, who is currently in his 22nd season in the NBA, continues to perform at an elite level, averaging 24.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. The Lakers sit in third place in the Western Conference, thanks in part to his stellar play.
Foxx’s comments came after an Instagram post from the account ‘lbjhistory’ outlined a series of common critiques aimed at James.
Seizing the opportunity to defend his fellow entertainer, Foxx wrote his impassioned defense of James in the comments.
“If he came up with a cure for cancer, they would say yeah but what about diabetes?” Foxx posted.
“40,000 points over 20 years of play carrying this bum a** league on his shoulders, ungrateful.”
Foxx believes James’ name drives media attention
The actor also claimed that those who are critical of LeBron are looking to benefit themselves by using James’ status.
“You have to mention LeBron James’ name in order to get clicks,” he added.
Foxx’s remarks are timely, as James himself recently criticized the media’s coverage of the NBA, particularly in light of the negative coverage surrounding the league’s top players.
During All-Star weekend, James commented on the notion of being the “face of the league,” particularly in reference to Anthony Edwards’ reluctance to take on that role in the future.
“I mean, it’s unfortunate but like, why do you want to be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis s**t on everybody?” James commented.
“To have that responsibility, it’s just weird. It’s weird energy.”
While James is no longer universally regarded as the league’s best player, he’s proven his enduring skill and leadership. In February, he elevated his game, posting an impressive 29.3 points per game, leading the Lakers to a 9-2 record during that stretch. James has also begun to build strong chemistry with new teammate Luka Doncic, further boosting the team’s performance.
