LeBron James suffered his first-ever first-round defeat on Friday, losing to a young and hungry Phoenix Suns team at home.
Naturally, one can only imagine how frustrating it was for James to go out like that just a year after winning the title, and he let the frustration show after the final buzzer.
Clearly feeling sour about the ending, James refused to shake hands with the competition, instead opting to head straight to the locker room.
LeBron hitting the locker room early to get his excuses ready for his press conference
https://t.co/eGOwcsqMut
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 2, 2021
It’s a pretty bad look for LeBron, especially because he’s a seasoned veteran with experience winning and losing in the playoffs.
The fallout on social media was pretty bad.
Can't wait to talk about LeBron leaving the court without shaking any hands … just as he left the bench (and stench) with 5:40 left in the blowout Game 5 loss at Phoenix. That's who he is and always has been.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 4, 2021
Fuck that Lebron don’t shake hands. Head straight to the locker room
— LAKERS 2025-2026 CHAMPS (@DougAM_) June 4, 2021
https://twitter.com/rodharper/status/1400684759555186689
Lebron didn’t shake any of the Suns players hands. Walked to the locker room like a baby.
— Eric K (@E_Krawl) June 4, 2021
Nice of @KingJames to not show respect to his opponent and not shake any of the @Suns hands. Couldn’t wait to get into the locker room. Take the loss like a champion.
— Todd Villarreal (@MrVillarreal32) June 4, 2021
Oh Lebron is horrible. He didn’t even shake hands or nothing with the Suns…straight to the locker room
— Bre. (@MiszBr3) June 4, 2021
Lebron is such a bitch didn't even shake hands just went straight to the locker room
— Glep (@_silveraaa_) June 4, 2021
It was a disrespectful move by James and one that reeks of sour grapes. And while he has every right to be upset about being eliminated, he should know better.
It remains to be seen how LeBron will respond to the inevitable flurry of questions he will get from the media, or what excuse he will make for his actions.
At this point, all we know is that we’ve seen LeBron on the court for the final time this season. Hopefully, next campaign, he and his squad will experience a more fitting and ceremonial ending.
