LeBron James could breathe quietly, and someone would still find a way to turn it into a headline. Over the years, he’s been criticized for everything from “The Decision” TV special in 2010 to reading The Godfather without ever finishing it—remember J.R. Smith teasing him about that? Even his celebratory chalk toss or how he walked off the court early during the 2020 Finals got people talking. Whether it’s politics, fashion, or pregame routines, LeBron’s name stays in people’s mouths. It’s like he can’t win no matter what he does—and yet, he keeps showing up.
To his credit, LeBron rarely bites back harshly. His go-to response? Let the game talk. When Zlatan Ibrahimović once said athletes like LeBron should “stay out of politics,” LBJ fired back coolly: “I will never shut up about things that are wrong.” And when critics came after him for flopping, he joked, “I don’t need to flop. I’m 260 pounds.” That mix of calm and confidence has been part of his longevity. But just when you think the noise might be dying down, here comes another storm—this time involving NBA legend Isiah Thomas and a shirtless warm-up. This ability to remain composed amidst constant scrutiny has been a key factor in his sustained success.
Matt Barnes, never one to hold back, jumped into the whole Isiah Thomas vs. LeBron James chatter, like the voice of reason in the middle of all the noise. Before even picking a side, he asked the most logical question: “So is this like when fans are already in the building? Or… no one else is in the gym?” Classic Matt—making sure we’re not blowing things out of proportion without the full picture.
Once he got the context—that LeBron was warming up shirtless before fans were allowed in—Barnes didn’t hesitate to call it how he saw it. “So this is sparks. This is definitely not fire,” he said. And then he backed LeBron: “I could see if fans were in the building and he’s in there with shirt off shooting, which I don’t even see why it’s a big deal because NFL players do it all the time. They try to show off how cool they are in freezing weather with no shirt on which is crazy and they warm up and there’s no issues. But obviously LeBron is always a hot topic, so if someone gets a chance to shoot, they’re gonna shoot…”
Barnes brushed off the whole thing as nothing headline-worthy. It’s worth noting that Matt’s always shown major respect for LeBron. Remember when he said, “I feel the three greatest players of all time are MJ, Kobe, and LeBron”? That kind of statement tells you where his loyalties might lean. His points make sense, especially the NFL comparison—but is it fair defense or friendly favoritism? That’s for the fans to decide.
To help you, let’s dive into more conversations around the topic.
Is LeBron’s shirtless warm-up unprofessional?
Before a recent Lakers game, LeBron James warmed up shirtless, sparking criticism from NBA legend Isiah Thomas. On NBA TV, Thomas said, “I just totally, 100% object to this… We are the professional NBA league. We ain’t Summer League. We ain’t at the YMCA,” and even suggested that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver should fine James for the act. He believes the current generation of players lacks professionalism, despite James’ 22 years of experience in the league.
Gilbert Arenas weighed in on his podcast, defending James in his own way. Arenas acknowledged the old-school perspective but highlighted LeBron’s exceptional professionalism. He pointed out that players like LeBron and Kobe arrived at the arena hours before the game, setting the bar for dedication. “That’s the problem with the old heads,” he said. “Back in their day, they showing up the earliest 6:00 clock to a 7:30 game. When LeBron or Kobe came to arena, it was just them.” He continued, “The fans see us our shirts off doing interviews.”
Apr 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) passes against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith claimed that using James as an example was unfair. “To mention the word unprofessionalism and him with a broad brush would be incredibly unfair,” he said. Stephen A. Smith didn’t fully dismiss Thomas’s point. He actually agreed, to some extent, explaining why Thomas might have felt that way. Smith said, “You’re out there with no uniform, no T-shirt, in a professional setting, and the fans are already in the arena.” He acknowledged that LeBron was in a public space, not a private practice, which made the situation a bit different.
LeBron didn’t directly respond to Thomas but made a cryptic remark: “Man I was going to say something but it’s useless at this point in my career!” This comment seems to capture his overall approach to criticism at this stage in his career—more about letting his actions speak for themselves rather than engaging in back-and-forths.
The ongoing debate about LeBron warming up shirtless highlights a clash of perspectives between the old-school and new-school NBA. Some see it as a harmless act blown out of proportion, while others argue it crosses a line of professionalism. Ultimately, it leaves fans wondering: Is this an innocent part of LeBron’s routine or a break from the decorum expected in professional basketball?
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