During the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener, LeBron James was observed continuing his pre-game warm-up routine while the national anthem was played. This action has drawn sharp criticism from media figures and political commentators who view the behavior as a sign of disrespect toward the flag and the country.

Joe Concha, writing for the Washington Examiner, characterized James' actions as "completely intentional," arguing that the athlete is aware of the media attention surrounding him during high-profile games. Concha further suggested that James lacks appreciation for his platform and the opportunities afforded to him. Meanwhile, Breitbart reported that President Trump has weighed in on the controversy, criticizing James' conduct during the anthem. In response, James has publicly addressed the President's remarks, though the specific nature of his rebuttal remains a point of contention in the broader media narrative.

While the outlets agree that James continued his warm-up during the anthem, they differ in their characterization of his motivations. Breitbart frames the event as a direct confrontation between the athlete and the President, while the Washington Examiner focuses on the perceived lack of gratitude and the intentional nature of the act. Neither outlet provided a statement from James explaining his specific reasoning for his actions during the anthem, nor did they include perspectives from those who support athletes protesting during the anthem.