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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

LeBron James has been playing in the NBA for 20 seasons. Even at the age of 38, James can perform consistently every time he steps on the court. So there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest players to play this sport. After winning numerous titles and accolades, some fans are apparently fed up with LeBron and want to support some fresh faces. Even after signing a new contract with the Lakers that lets him play with them for 3 more seasons, fans are drifting away from LeBron.

However, recently at the FIBA World Cup match between Team USA and Team New Zealand, a fan went viral. The fan was holding a sign that showed her love for her new favorite player and said he is better than James.

Why do people hate LeBron James?

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Even after performing extremely well for so many years, James faces criticism. But somewhere at the heart of the criticism lies the perception of his offensive prowess. They compare James’ shooting to the likes of Durant and Curry, where he obviously is behind. Despite only having led the league in scoring once, LeBron’s style focuses on assisting his teammates and grabbing control in crucial situations. LeBron’s perceived weaknesses, particularly his inconsistent jumper, often overshadowed his offensive versatility.

Detractors contend that his inability to consistently score from afar diminishes his offensive prowess. Nonetheless, his distinct technique relies on intelligently selecting his moments, spreading the floor, and raising his team’s overall performance. He has a unique ability to impact the game in multiple ways, often coming close to triple-double averages in points, rebounds, and assists, a feat unmatched by others.

Despite his eventual success with the Miami Heat, the infamous televised announcement of his decision to join the team damaged LeBron James’s image. LeBron’s arrogance and behavior, like asking for dunk footage to be removed, make people view him negatively.

Read More: What Was LeBron James’ 2K Rating as a Rookie?

Even in the FIBA World Cup match, team USA won 27 points against New Zealand in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The players who performed exceptionally well were Paolo Banchero, Tyrese Haliburton, and Austin Reaves. Banchero led the way with 21 points, Reaves added 12 points and six assists, and Haliburton chipped in with 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

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by u/redoblivion23 in lakers

And during the match, a fan moment went viral.

Fans reacting to the viral sign

A fan was seen holding a sign saying, ” Austin Reaves > LeBron James“. This moment caught the eye of the NBA world, which had a lot to say.

One fan took it to social media and wrote,

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by u/andy440rt from discussion This kid LMAO
in lakers

Another fan even praised the fan holding up the sign and said,

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by u/chootie8 from discussion This kid LMAO
in lakers

One fan was telling his story of how he is a LeBron fan and how people hate on LeBron.

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by u/Zenithreg from discussion This kid LMAO
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A fan even trolled the person who was holding the sign and wrote,

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by u/collector444 from discussion This kid LMAO
in lakers

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One more fan agreed with the person with the sign and said,

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by u/polymathicus from discussion This kid LMAO
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LeBron James’ polarizing nature reflects his exceptional talents and human flaws. Despite his accomplishments, he’s often criticized rather than celebrated for his actions. Even though the NBA community might hate on James, there is no doubt he is an exceptional player who has written his name in the history books forever.

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