Sports

Three Days After Saying He Wouldn’t Play Without Fans In The Arena Due To Coronavirus LeBron James Changes His Stance, Sounds Like A Guy That Got A Call From Adam Silver

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Getty Image / Katharine Lotze


With plenty of major events being canceled and various sports playing games and matches in empty arenas due to the threat of the coronavirus, the NBA is preparing for the possibility of playing without fans in attendance as well.

Last week the league sent a memo to all franchises to tell them to get prepared just in case they had to play games without fans in arenas due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Following the Lakers-Bucks game on Saturday night, LeBron James was asked about the idea of playing games without fans and he simply didn’t want to talk about the possibility. He literally said, “If I show up to an arena and there ain’t no fans in there, I ain’t playing.”

Fast-forward just three days to Tuesday when James addressed the situation again and he completely pivoted from his original statement. He certainly sounds like a guy that may not have known the severity and impact the coronavirus is having around the world when he was asked after the Milwaukee game, or maybe he got a call from someone that has an impact on his paycheck or commissioner Adam Silver.

“I would be very disappointed not having the fans because that’s who I play for, I play for my family, I play for my fans. No one could actually come to the games if they decide to go to that point. But at the same time you’ve got to listen to the people that’s keeping a track on what’s going on. And if they feel it’s best for the safety of the players, safety of the franchise, safety of the league to mandate that then we all listen to it.”

James, the face of the NBA, claims he didn’t have any idea that the league was having discussions about possibly playing games without fans. Whether that’s true or not, it’s clear James has done a bit of research and/or received a phone call asking him to step back and chill out.

James, the face of the NBA, claims he didn’t have any idea that the league was having discussions about possibly playing games without fans. Whether that’s true or not, it’s clear James has done a bit of research and/or received a phone call asking him to step back and chill out.