“And with that said I’ll holla at y’all! Getting off social media for the time being. Y’all take care.” And with that, one of the most followed athletes on social media clearly announced taking a break (unlike Ross and Rachel). Announcing the decision less than a week ago, many people wondered about LeBron James’ reasoning. Was it because of the ‘hypocrisy’ claims that came his way after retweeting Rich Kleiman?

Was it because of Bronny, as Stephen A. Smith claimed it to be? Whatever the reason, the player has now put his habit of sending out love to football players through tweets on hold, thanks to his media pause. However, this doesn’t mean LeBron cannot show his love, ‘in person’!

LeBron James was amongst those who made an in-person appearance at the NFL matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams. It occurred at the iconic SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a 19–20-minute drive from the Crypto. Com Arena. Given the game’s location, one would have expected the NBA star to support his local team. However, since Saquon Barkley was representing the Philadelphia Eagles, a ‘conflict of interest’ may have arisen.

LeBron’s in-person appearance came only hours after Saquon Barkley shared an Instagram story with his 3 million followers. The NFL star highlighted being a recipient of the ‘LeBron James Monopoly Set’! A collaboration between the iconic board game and Nike, the set contains a personalized version of the game that highlights some of the most iconic moments of the NBA All-Time Scorer’s two-decade-long professional journey.

A select few can even get a pair of the Nike LeBron 1, ‘Monopoly Edition’, as part of the set. The $37 million worth did, and he made LeBron know of the same!

Most of you would well-acquaint yourselves, with buying properties and exchanging fictional currency during a game of Monopoly, right? Well, the LeBron James Monopoly Set is the same, but with a few altercations. The currency is named ‘Bron Bucks’, and the properties include places where LeBron has lived at one point. As for game pieces, one can choose between a championship ring, jersey, sneakers, and a basketball.

Several people in the Lakers star’s lucky circle have already received a set. Only a few days ago, content creator Mike Kaufman highlighted his set, which he claimed weighed “7000 pounds” (though it may be an exaggeration). Therefore, it wouldn’t have been right if Kaufman received one, but Barkley didn’t. After all, especially he and LeBron James go back in time.

The inseparable bond between LeBron James and Saquon Barkley

For the past few years, LeBron James and Saquon Barkley have shared a bond based on mutual respect. Saquon sent the hooper his flowers earlier in January 2023 by wearing a pair of Nike’s Zoom Generation Cleats. Upon a micro glance, one would realize they bore a close resemblance to the ‘LeBron Air Zoom I’, the NBA star’s first signature shoe released by the brand back in 2003. It caught the Lakers legend’s attention, and he reacted, writing, “@saquon! That boy so COLD!!!”, on social media.

Notably, Saquon Barkley would be amongst those who came to LeBron James’ defense a year later. The Lakers player had gone viral for claiming, “The cars, the jewelry, and all the other dumb s–t don’t matter”. He stated how today’s younger generation should focus on the game rather than individual wealth. Soon enough, words like ‘hypocrite’ and other jeers came up on his social media handle.

However, Saquon instead posted, “A OG having all this, and also telling young dudes that its not important bc it will all come in due time if you just stay focused & perfect your craft, doesn’t make him a hypocrite, it makes him right.”

Since the commencement of the NFL season, LeBron’s been taking to X to praise the Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback. From “OMG SAQUON SO DAMN QUICK/FAST!!!!!!! SO GOOD MAN!” to “LOVE IT!!!! Selfless at its FINEST!”, it would be rare that the Eagles were playing and LeBron wouldn’t send his flowers to Barkley.

Given his social media break, however, and the fact that the game was taking place so close to home, LeBron James made the best use of the given opportunity.