NBA

Isiah Thomas doesn’t hold back on LeBron James warming up shirtless: “We ain’t summer league. We ain’t at the YMCA”

LeBron James was warming up ahead of the Lakers’ game against the Pistons, but his attire - or lack of - was not pleasing to some.

LeBron James was warming up ahead of the Lakers’ game against the Pistons, but his attire - or lack of - was not pleasing to some.
SAM HODDE | AFP
Jennifer Bubel
Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.
Update:

On Friday, ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Houston Rockets, LeBron James warmed up on the court, but his choice of wardrobe upset Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas.

Isiah Thomas: “If you want to fine somebody, fine that”

On NBA TV, LeBron was shown warming up without a shirt, and Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas was shocked at the lack of professionalism. It wasn’t clear exactly when the footage was shot, but the stands were still empty of fans.

“I just totally, 100% object to this,” Thomas said. “If I was the GM or coach, I would never let one of my players walk out on the floor looking like this. I mean, we are professional, NBA league. We ain’t Summer League. We ain’t the YMCA.”

“I just think the professionalism in our NBA league has diminished so much,” Thomas continued. “Look, I like LeBron, I’m a fan of his, so forth and so on, but to walk out on the floor before a game, with no shirt on, and shoot, I mean, come on, man? Where we at? What we doing? Where we at?”

Thomas even went so far as to say that the league should fine LeBron for choosing not to wear a shirt during the pre-game warmup.

“Adam Silver, if you want to fine somebody, fine that. Put a fine on that,” Thomas said.

LeBron James fires back at Isiah Thomas

Earlier this season, LeBron got into a back-and-forth social media argument with ESPN ’s Stephen A. Smith (as well as confronted him to his face) when he made comments about his son Bronny. But this time, he chose to bring up Thomas’ comments, but not really address them, instead focusing on the playoffs ahead.

LeBron wrote this on X:" Man I was going to say something but it’s useless at this point in my career! Anyways more important CONGRATULATIONS JJ on a 50 win season in the WEST & Post Season nod! That’s 🔥🔥🔥🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🫡"

LeBron played for 22 minutes against the Rockets in the Lakers’ 140-109 win before he exited, appearing to aggravate a groin injury (though coach JJ Reddick assured after that James is “fine”). The Lakers’ victory saw them seal the No. 3 seed in the West.

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