LeBron James has earned a long list of MVP honors throughout his iconic career but this latest one might be the most unexpected. In a twist that sent NBA Twitter into a frenzy, the 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar was voted the 2024–25 Shaqtin’ A Fool MVP, the league’s unofficial award for the funniest, most meme-worthy moments of the season.
The announcement came via NBA legend and Shaqtin’ creator Shaquille O’Neal, who couldn’t resist stirring the pot while revealing the results.
“Over Ben Simmons? Bron that wasn’t me,” Shaq said with a laugh, as fans watched highlights of LeBron’s bloopers play during the season-ending special on NBA TV.
Fans vote LeBron as the Shaqtin’ a Fool 2024-25 MVP
Shaq: “Over Ben Simmons? Bron that wasn’t me.” 😭
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/5y1E1Ls6NX
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 17, 2025
Fan-voted and humor-fueled, the Shaqtin’ MVP is a badge of honor, of the hilarious kind.
For LeBron, this year’s honor included viral clips of botched fast breaks, errant passes, and a memorable moment where he forgot the play call and wandered into no-man’s land. In an age where every misstep becomes an instant meme, even the game’s all-time greats aren’t safe from the spotlight.
Social media reactions exploded immediately. Some joked that LeBron should’ve won this every year since joining the Lakers.
And while some Lakers fans came to his defense, most embraced the moment with humor, understanding the award doesn’t take away from LeBron’s greatness, it just adds another wrinkle to his incredible journey.
Shaq, who has made Shaqtin’ A Fool a staple of NBA entertainment since 2011, made it clear he wasn’t behind the final vote. Interestingly, LeBron now joins a list of past Shaqtin’ MVPs that includes Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Joel Embiid, and JaVale McGee, some of whom took the recognition personally, and others who leaned into the laugh.
Despite the Shaqtin’ moments, LeBron’s on-court performance this season remained elite. He played 70 games, averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and still led the Lakers in multiple statistical categories.
Even in the postseason, despite the Lakers’ early exit in five games to the Timberwolves, LeBron averaged 27.8 points while navigating a roster plagued by inconsistency and injuries.
With his $52.6 million player option looming this offseason, LeBron’s future remains uncertain. Whether he returns to the Lakers, joins another contender, or reunites with Cleveland as Nick Wright has publicly urged remains to be seen. But for now, he’s the reigning king of court comedy.
At 40 years old, with four MVPs, four championships, three Olympic gold medals, and now one Shaqtin’ A Fool MVP, LeBron James continues to find new ways to remain relevant, whether it’s through dominance, leadership, or, occasionally, a good laugh at his own expense.
