LeBron James Chosen To Carry U.S. Flag In Olympics Despite Past Anthem Kneeling

selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee to carry the American flag at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. LeBron’s selection marks the first time in history that a U.S. basketball player will have carried the flag on behalf of the nation. Reportedly, LeBron was nominated by fellow NBA superstar Steph Curry to represent America with the red, white, and blue.

US’ flag bearer LeBron James reacts as he stands with other members of his delegation in a boat sailing along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP)

However, the selection of James has received backlash, given that the NBA veteran has a history of kneeling for the anthem and voicing criticism toward the United States. Furthermore, LeBron has also come under fire for his sympathetic attitude toward China, a growing market that American basketball seeks to capitalize on.

Moreover, James has also garnered a reputation, particularly during the state of heightened racial tensions over the past few years, for pushing a racial agenda and bashing the United States. LeBron made headlines in 2020 for kneeling during the national anthem that was being played before games, a common practice that athletes adopted after the death of George Floyd.

In other news surrounding the 21-year seasoned veteran, The American Tribune reported on speculation about “abuse of power” when the Lakers selected James’ son, Bronny, as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Many have suggested that Bronny lacks the skills of an NBA player and was selected by the Lakers due to nepotism from his father.

Steven Hunter, a former NBA player who was in the league from 2001 to 2010, wrote on social media that Bronny being drafted was “egregious abuse of power from LBJ [LeBron James] & Rich Paul. It’s a slap in the face to all of the kids out there who work their asses off to get to the league. It’s sneaky Hollywood s— like this that turns a lot of people off about Lebron.”