Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is facing fierce backlash after video footage surfaced showing him practicing an exaggerated golf swing during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Thursday’s Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets.

Honestly, is there anybody in sports more loathsome and self-obsessed than this guy?

The clip quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from fans who accused the 40-year-old NBA icon of disrespecting the American flag and the national anthem.

ESPN originally posted it on TikTok with the caption “Bron working on his golf swing?”

I don’t give a rip if he’s working on his golf swing or some dance moves for a post-retirement stint on Dancing with the Stars. What he’s not doing is being respectful and giving the national anthem the attention it deserves.

@espn #lebron #golf #basketball #lakers #nba ♬ original sound – ESPN

LeBron James and the Lakers Get Crushed

The incident comes at a time when LeBron James’ legacy is under intense debate as he is in the sunset of his career, with detractors frequently contrasting him with Michael Jordan on matters both on and off the court.

It’s not a debate of whether Jordan or James is better. The discussion really is whether or not James belongs in the top 10 at all. James, who is currently tied for 27th on the list of NBA players with the most championships, would have a tough time cracking a list of the best players of all time.

Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Julius Erving. Name one of those guys you’d take off the list and replace them with LeBron.

ESPN’s decision to promote the clip of LeBron, very clearly ignoring the national anthem, rather than condemn it, only fuels accusations of media bias. James has not publicly responded to the controversy.

The Lakers fittingly went on to suffer a 119-96 blowout loss to the Rockets, extending their losing streak to three games, with none of those games being particularly close. Also fitting? The team was one of the best in the league before LeBron came back from his supposed injury. Since then, they’ve been a mess.

READ MORE: 104-Year-Old Veteran Delivers Emotional Anthem at Rangers-Islanders Game

Not the First Time He’s Done This

It’s weird. LeBron James has a knack for completely ignoring the national anthem as if it isn’t being played or sung, and then pretending it’s not a big deal.

A couple of years ago, he was caught sitting during the anthem. The ‘King’ walked courtside at the debut of his son, Bronny James, at the University of Southern California (USC).

James was seen holding his daughter’s hand as he walked to his seat, and after a few seconds to get settled, the two sat, even as the song continued playing.

LeBron James makes his entrance at the Galen Center for Bronny James’ debut during the national anthem, holding daughter Zhuri’s hand. Accompanied by Bryce James and two of his Sierra Canyon teammates, Bryce Cofield and Jayden Alexander. pic.twitter.com/tN0iSMhkJA

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) December 10, 2023

LeBron got a lot of heat over that clip above. So he’s known for at least 2 years that his actions during the national anthem are being heavily scrutinized.

And yet, here he is, working on the mechanics of his golf swing. Dude should play in China.