Sports talk icon Dan Patrick ripped LeBron James and ESPN on Thursday after James announced he’s not retiring from the NBA during a speech at the ESPYs on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
James made the statement when he received the award for best record-breaking performance by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time scoring leader this past season. Few observers believed James would retire, and Patrick accused James of seeking attention and ESPN of manufacturing a storyline for the same reason.
“I wasn’t waiting for an announcement,” Patrick said. “I got one. And then ESPN is treating it like it’s breaking news. And I went, ‘You know what’s breaking news? If he retired! Not that he’s coming back. Who thought that he might retire?
“It just … it just is needy, and you don’t need it,” Patrick continued.
"Lucky for you guys, that day is not today."
— ESPN (@espn) July 13, 2023
Go off, Bron 😂 pic.twitter.com/4X1Fqs0PqX
James initially faced backlash when he appeared to hint at retirement after the Lakers were swept in the Western Conference finals by the Nuggets. After the Game 4 loss, he ended his media availability by saying, “I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest, with me, personally, with the game of basketball.”
James, 38, was criticized for the comment by observers who accused him of trying to overshadow the Nuggets, who went on to win their first NBA title.
Denver coach Michael Malone didn’t care for the comment, and appeared to troll James while appearing on The Pat McAfee Show in June.
“Speaking of the Lakers, I just want you guys to know this is breaking news: I’m thinking about retiring,” Malone said with a laugh. “Only kidding, only kidding.”
James appeared to respond to the shot via an Instagram post shortly afterward.
“In Europe for the last past few weeks minding my business and I hear I’m on your mind that much huh??? I mean I guess I see why. 🤷🏾♂️ But Wave the flag on these lames!! Please make being player cool again cause the lame machine is at an all-time high. Enjoy your light but just know I’m the SUN. I stay on forever! 😉🫡🙏🏾👑,” James wrote in his post.
Whether James was seriously considering retirement probably will never be known for certain. What is certain now is that he will be playing in his 21st NBA season beginning this fall.
