PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — LeBron James brushed aside President Donald Trump’s latest attack Thursday night, laughing off the criticism after the Philadelphia 76ers rallied past Cleveland and suggesting it must have been a slow day for news.
Earlier Thursday, Trump posted a video on social media showing James moving around as the anthem played ahead of the Sixers opener Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. The president said James had disrespected the country, called him a total disgrace and said he owed an apology to the service members who died for the flag.
In the clip, James stretches his arms, appears to rehearse a golf swing and mimics a jump shot while most teammates beside him stand largely still. Trump also raised the episode at a rally in Iowa on Thursday.
Before the Thursday home opener against the Cavaliers, James appeared far more stationary during the anthem at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
The two have traded shots for years. In 2018 Trump questioned the intelligence of James, and in July the president said he preferred Michael Jordan as the greatest player and speculated about whether James was a racist. James, 41, is the career scoring leader in NBA history and signed a two-year deal with Philadelphia in July.
He scored 14 points in a 106-100 win over the defending champion Knicks on Tuesday, and the Sixers are now 2-0.
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