LeBron James says he’s taking a social media break over ‘negative takes’

LA Lakers star plans to step away from social media

James, 40, hinted at disaffection after Tuesday game

LeBron James says he’s taking a break from social media.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer and Los Angeles Lakers star posted on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, and Instagram on Wednesday to announce that he’s stepping away from his pages. James has 159m followers on Instagram, 52.9m on X.

James started the farewell by reposting something that Rich Kleiman, Kevin Durant’s longtime manager, posted to X on 24 October.

“We can all acknowledge that sports is the last part of society that universally brings people together. So why can’t the coverage do the same?” Kleiman wrote that day. “It’s only click bait when you say it. When the platform is so big, you can make the change and allow us all an escape from real life negativity. I for one find it all a waste of breath.”

James, on Instagram, posted a screengrab of Kleiman’s post and added the caption, “Damn shame what it’s come to.” On X, his repost of Kleiman simply said, “AMEN!!”

Kleiman has posted only a handful of times since his 24 October post, and evidently, James isn’t planning to post much – or anything – until further notice.

“And with that said I’ll holla at y’all! Getting off social media for the time being. Y’all take care,” James posted, followed by emojis of a hand holding up two fingers – often symbolizing someone leaving a place – and a crown, a nod to his “King James” moniker.

James had hinted at disaffection with online criticism following the Lakers’ win over Utah on Tuesday, when Los Angeles rookie Dalton Knecht erupted for 37 points.

Talking about Knecht’s performance, James said he had been aware of the rookie’s talent from watching his collegiate career at Tennessee.

“Everybody on the internet calls me a liar all the time,” James said. “They say I lie about everything. So what am I now? I’ve been said it. I watched him. I watched Tennessee a lot.”

James, the NBA’s oldest active player – he turns 40 next month – is a four-time NBA champion and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, the most recent of those coming earlier this year at the Paris Games.

The Lakers are 10-4, winners of six straight and next play Thursday at home against Orlando.