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LeBron James can’t seem to escape controversy — even when he’s sidelined. Just weeks before the start of the 2025–26 NBA season, the 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star was diagnosed with sciatica, an injury expected to keep him out of the season opener and possibly longer. But not everyone is buying it, especially Skip Bayless.
The veteran sports analyst unleashed a scathing rant on The Skip Bayless Show, accusing LeBron of exaggerating the injury as part of a “sympathy-gaining” stunt.
“I told you this was coming. LeBron James isn’t hurting. He’s pouting. He’s rebelling. He’s going little kid on the Los Angeles Lakers for the way they have treated or mistreated him in his view,” Bayless said. “He’s saying, ‘Ok, if Luka is the man, if I am not in your plans, then I will basically take my basketball and go home.’
“We were told as training camp opened that he had nerve irritation in his glute and that could translate into the current sciatica. But LeBron and his team are brilliant at creating injury excuses. Nobody in the history of history has ever been more clever and deceitful in faking and creating and exaggerating injuries than LeBron James and his camp,” Bayless added.
His comments come on the heels of LeBron’s rough offseason, following criticism for his “Second Decision” advertisement and the Lakers’ first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Bayless insists this is all a ploy for attention, the Lakers can’t afford to lose their veteran leader for long. With new additions Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton joining the roster, Los Angeles still needs James’ leadership and experience to remain contenders in the loaded Western Conference.
Whether Bayless’ theory holds weight or not, one thing is certain, LeBron’s next move will speak louder than any debate show ever could.
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