LeBron James, the NBA superstar, has found himself at the center of a controversy this week, following the publication of an article under his name in the People's Daily, a Chinese state-run newspaper.
The article, which expressed appreciation for China and its people, would have been the first instance of an NBA player writing for Chinese government-controlled media. This comes nearly six years after James criticized Daryl Morey, the former Houston Rockets general manager, for his social media post supporting Hong Kong protesters against the Chinese government.
According to Fox News, the NBA superstar has remained conspicuously silent amidst the ensuing uproar. The article, which appeared on Monday, has drawn significant criticism, with many questioning the authenticity of the byline.
A report on Tuesday from The Athletic, citing unnamed sources, suggested that James did not actually write the article that bore his name in the People's Daily. The report claimed that the words attributed to James were from group interviews he conducted during his "Forever King Tour" with Nike in two Chinese cities.
The sources maintained that while the words were indeed James', they were not submitted as an essay or opinion editorial.
The Athletic further reported that three Chinese translators confirmed that the People's Daily referred to James as the "author" of the piece, but also stated that James was interviewed and the piece was edited by a reporter from the government-controlled newspaper. Despite being credited as the author, James has not publicly addressed the issue, leaving many to speculate about how his name ended up on the byline of a Communist paper.
Fox News Digital reached out to a representative for James, seeking clarification on whether the basketball star believed there was a misunderstanding between him and those affiliated with the People's Daily. They also inquired if James was aware that his name would appear on the byline and if the piece was published without his knowledge.
However, no response was received. It remains unclear why James has not publicly denied authoring the essay, instead relying on unnamed sources to convey his stance.
The controversy has sparked a wave of criticism. Former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya expressed her disbelief on OutKicks "Dont @ Me with Dan Dakich," questioning James' understanding of the situation and his defense of China. She highlighted that James, like many NBA players, has remained silent on the issue of Uyghur Muslims in China, who, according to a 2024 report by the U.S. Department of Labor, are subjected to "ideological indoctrination" and forced to learn Mandarin.
China has consistently denied these allegations of human rights violations.
FOX Sports broadcaster Tim Brando also criticized James, labeling his actions as a "sellout" on OutKicks "Hot Mic." Brando expressed his disinterest in the NBA, stating that the league's venture with China only further solidified his decision to distance himself from it.
Despite the controversy, James' positive remarks about his time in China could potentially mend the strained relations between the NBA and the Communist nation, a rift that began when Morey voiced his support for the Hong Kong protests in October 2019.
In the disputed article, James expressed his deep appreciation for the Chinese people, stating, "The enthusiasm and kindness of Chinese friends deeply touch me, and all I can do is give my all in every game to express my gratitude," as reported by Reuters.
He also expressed his hope to contribute to the development of Chinese basketball.
The South China Morning Post noted that James thanked his Chinese fans for their warm reception, stating, "Every time I come here, my family and I are warmly welcomed. I am deeply moved by the hospitality and friendliness of our Chinese friends. All I can do is give my all in every match and express my gratitude to everyone."
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