bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Jonathan White

LeBron James has hit back after criticism from Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his social and political activism, while Jeremy Lin has spoken up for the outspoken NBA star.
James told the media that he will never just “stick to sports” after his Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trailblazers, rejecting the Swedish footballer’s comments.
“I would never shut up about things that‘s wrong,” the NBA star said when asked about Ibrahimovic’s criticism.
“I preach about my people and I preach about equality, social injustice, racism, systematic voter suppression, things that go on in our community,” James said.

LeBron responded after Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticized him for his activism.
“I’m kind of the wrong guy to actually go at because I do my homework.” pic.twitter.com/VyKgBrYuiz
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 27, 2021

“Because I was a part of my community at one point and seeing the things that was going on and I know what‘s going on still because I have a group of 300-plus kids at my school that’s going through the same thing and they need a voice. And I’m their voice.
“I’m their voice and I use my platform to continue to shed light on everything that may be going on not only in my community but around this country and around the world.
LeBron James’ China comments dragged up in Trump row
“There‘s no way I will ever just stick to sports because I understand how this platform … how powerful my voice is.
“I speak from a very educated mind,” James added. “I‘m kind of the wrong guy to actually go at because I do my homework.”
James called Ibrahimovic a hypocrite for speaking out about “undercover racism” in Sweden in an interview with Canal+ in 2018 when the striker claimed he had not got the credit he deserved because his name is not typically Swedish.

AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic was critical of James in an interview with Uef and Discovery+ in Sweden on Friday.
“I like him (James) a lot. He’s phenomenal, but I don’t like when people with a status speak about politics. Do what you’re good at doing,” Ibrahimovic said.
“I play football because I’m the best playing football, I’m no politician. If I’d been a politician, I would be doing politics.
LeBron James and Jeremy Lin whataboutery helps no one’s cause
“This is the first mistake famous people do when they become famous: for me it is better to avoid certain topics and do what you’re good doing, otherwise you risk doing something wrongly.”
Several people have defended James including former NBA star Jeremy Lin, himself a vocal campaigner for social justice, in an Instagram story.
“When athletes donate money from the salary they earn, no one seems to have a problem accepting it. When athletes speak from the platform they earn, then we have problems? Double standard ZZZ.”


Meet Coco Jones, the R&B singer who performed at the Super Bowl pregame show

Chinese players often lack ‘survival instinct’ needed to thrive in NBA, Yao Ming says

Chinese basketball prospect Yang Hansen makes NBA Rising Stars team at All-Star Weekend

LeBron James snubbed as an NBA All-Star Game starter for first time in 21 years

NBA (National Basketball Association)

LeBron James hits back at Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jeremy Lin backs NBA star for activism

LeBron James, of the Los Angeles Lakers, warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. James responded to comments from Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the game. Photo: AFP

A screenshot from Jeremy Lin's Instagram account where he responds to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's criticism of LeBron James. Photo: Instagram/@jlin7

LeBron James’ and Jeremy Lin’s Black Lives Matter support does not mean they must have a view on Hong Kong protests

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts during a match against the Portland Trail Blazers. Photo: EPA

Steve Kerr on Jeremy Lin ‘coronavirus’ slur, backs NBA G League investigation

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr questions a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs. Photo: AP

Jeremy Lin sits out G League, stands up for Asian-American community in face of Covid-19 racism

Jeremy Lin talks to Chinese media during a press conference for the Beijing Ducks in August 2020. Photo: Xinhua

LeBron James’ China comments dragged up in Donald Trump Goodyear boycott row

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates a play during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Photo: AP

Sport

Basketball

‘There’s no way I will ever just stick to sports’ James says after Los Angeles Lakers win over Portland Trailblazers
AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic critical of James for his social and political activism – ‘Do what you’re good at’


‘There’s no way I will ever just stick to sports’ James says after Los Angeles Lakers win over Portland Trailblazers in face of comments from AC Milan striker over political activism.


Jeremy Lin

George Floyd protests

LeBron James