The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to manage the time of LeBron James in the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season.
While that might mean less time on the court, the four-time NBA champion must continue respecting the game.
His move against the Golden State Warriors has drawn criticism, ironically from a Lakers legend, Michael Cooper.
Cooper, best known as the Lakers' defensive wiz during the "Showtime" era, took exception to LeBron James' behavior in the game that Los Angeles lost, 129-125, to the Warriors on October 14, when he spoke on his show, "Showtime with Coop."
The 67-year-old saw how the 38-year-old Lakers star changed clothes after playing nearly 18 minutes in the first half of that match. However, it was the part where James was spotted eating fruit salad that drew his ire.
WWE Basketball 🤡🤡.. After playing in the first half, LeBron is now in street clothes eating on the bench in the 2nd half... I've have never ever seen anything like this before... Fanboyyyys still think sports is real pic.twitter.com/bixzLHB3l8
— ALL SPORTS ARE RIGGED 2023 (@FormerNFLFan789) October 14, 2023
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"I didn't like that," Cooper said via USA Today. "Again, he's LeBron James, but still, you've got to have respect for the game, man. He's over there - I don't mind the guy eating, but go eat in the locker room, and then when you come out, come out and be part of the team, not just sit on the end of the bench eating," he added.
Cooper drops the truth on guarding James
But aside from that, the 1987 NBA Defensive Player of the Year praised James and mentioned that the 19-time All-Star is one player he would not have wanted to guard.
Despite concerns about his health, seeing LeBron James play in the preseason was surprising. It will be recalled that there was concern about his foot after it was revealed that he played through a torn tendon, CBS Sports reported.
It was never revealed how James handled his foot issue. But according to Lakers coach Darvin Ham, the future Hall of Famer is healthy and got his pre-injury burst back when he spoke to reporters earlier this month.
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