LeBron James caused some mixed reactions among fans when he was seen trying to hold back a laugh during Macy Gray’s performance of the National Anthem at the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland. The basketball legend, aged 37, was captured on camera appearing to suppress his amusement while Gray, a Canton, Ohio native, sang a unique and slower version of The Star-Spangled Banner in her distinctive raspy voice. Alongside other celebrities, cameras turned to capture James’ reaction to the 54-year-old Grammy winner’s performance at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
In recent news, LeBron James, at 37 years old, sparked laughter as he reacted to Macy Gray’s National Anthem performance at the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland. Other famous faces like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Murray, and Steph Curry were also caught on camera, but James’s amused expression stole the show.
Twitter users were quick to point out James’s giggles during Gray’s performance, sharing GIFs of the basketball legend who led his team to a 163-160 victory over Kevin Durant’s team. One user even compared James’s reaction to Stanley Hudson from The Office.
This incident brought back memories of Gray’s appearance in Training Day, where she played a role as an upset woman in a home illegally raided.
The basketball superstar from the Los Angeles Lakers seemed to be holding back a chuckle while watching Gray’s performance.
He was seen standing alongside his NBA colleague Steph Curry as the camera focused on the celebrities.
Several Twitter users pointed out that James was seen laughing during Gray’s performance, which sparked some annoyance and backlash from others online. One user criticized James for not maintaining a straight face and suggested that his reaction may have contributed to others feeling comfortable laughing at Gray’s unique singing style. Another user called him names like ‘a joke,’ ‘disgusting,’ and ‘disrespectful,’ referencing his past controversy involving China with the hashtag #ChinaKing. A different user questioned why James found humor in Gray’s performance, noting that her style has always been consistent.
A person on social media called out James for what they perceived as a childish response from the professional basketball player.
Some Twitter users appeared to be annoyed by James’ reaction and the buzz it generated online. Comparisons were drawn between Gray’s national anthem rendition and Fergie’s performance in 2018, where the singer opted for a slow, bluesy version that went viral thanks to NBA star Draymond Green’s reaction.
According to journalist DeAntae Prince, James’ smile during Macy Gray’s performance was likened to Draymond Green’s now-iconic meme moment. Fergie later explained that she had tried to take an experimental approach that didn’t quite hit the mark.
In a statement after her performance, Fergie expressed her love for performing the national anthem but acknowledged that her rendition may not have conveyed the intended tone. She described herself as an artist who takes risks and genuinely tried her best to deliver a special performance for the NBA event.
One person was curious about James’ reaction, noting that Gray’s performance had been exceptional.
One person remembered seeing Gray make a brief appearance in the movie Training Day.
Some fans drew comparisons between Gray’s performance and Fergie’s infamous rendition in 2018, as well as how Draymond Green reacted to it. Meanwhile, James sealed the victory with a clutch shot in the game on Sunday, which was also a special tribute to Kobe Bryant and the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
Reflecting on the experience, James described it as a humbling moment to be surrounded by legendary figures who were honored during the halftime ceremony. “Being in the presence of Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Oscar Robertson was surreal,” James shared with the AP. “Each time a new name was announced, I was in awe. Seeing Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, and Allen Iverson take the stage was just mind-blowing. And then Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Steph Curry joined them – it was truly a surreal moment.”
Back in his hometown of Cleveland, where he started his career and brought the city its first NBA championship in 2016, James was met with cheers and applause from the hometown crowd.
