LeBron James’ 2025 playoffs got off to a poor start with a home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Playing in his 22nd season at the age of 40, you might think LeBron James could be cut a little slack.
Yet expectations remain set on the same goal, to win the championship in his pursuit of greatness. Paul Pierce recently named LeBron James as his number one player under the most pressure this season.
LeBron James’ first playoff game with the LA Lakers this season ended with a 117-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, creating a trickier path ahead for the team.
And one late incident set him up for mockery among the fans who love to see him fail.
In the fourth quarter with the LA Lakers down by double digits, LeBron James was pictured on his knees begging an official to go in his team’s favor.
It was a sign of his team’s desperation, and an insight into how LeBron was feeling late in the game, like everything was going against him.
And of course, the visual of LeBron on his knees for the referees provided ample material for his haters to mock him.
“This fraud is really on one knee begging and crying for a call smh Kobe and Jordan would never do some lame ____ like this,” one wrote.
Another made a comparison to Steph Curry, writing: “Steph literally gets assaulted every play and I’ve never seen him do this lol some players like Lebron just lack killer instinct.”
“Crying down 23 when the game is over. Honestly hilarious,” added another.
“Everyone might have picked the Lakers, but this is why no one wants them to win. This is really bad,” added a fourth.
There were dozens more responses, many more unkind, while others defended LeBron to argue that he had a valid point to complain about the calls.
One argued: “LeBron clearly got fouled on his last 3 in front of the ref and no call.”
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, who is a fan of the LA Lakers, referenced the LeBron James incident in a post on X.
He tried to see the funny side, and believes LeBron will respond with a big performance beyond his 19 points in Game 1.
He wrote: “The Refs Got us on 1 knee begging for calls! Don’t Worry Lakers in 5! Lebron is about to have 35-40 next game.”
LeBron James’ 19 points was below his season average of 24.4 points and career average 27.0.
He averages a career 28.4 points per game in the playoffs, and 27.8 last season. Arenas is likely right that a big point haul is coming.
