NBA
July 13, 2023 | 11:15 p.m
Dan Patrick wasn’t a fan of how LeBron James and ESPN dealt with the news that James would not be retiring from the NBA.
At Wednesday night’s ESPY Awards, James announced he was returning for his 21st NBA season.
“I don’t care how many points I have left or what I can and can’t do on the floor,” James said at the awards ceremony. “The real question for me is: can I play this game without cheating? The day I can’t give my all on the floor is the day I’m done.
“Lucky for you, that day isn’t today.”
Patrick – a former SportsCenter host and current Fox Sports Radio host – felt the “revelation” didn’t deserve breaking news coverage.
“I wasn’t waiting for an announcement,” Patrick said Thursday. “I have one. And then ESPN treats it like it’s breaking news. And I said, ‘You know what’s breaking?’ When he retires. Not that he’s coming back. Who would have thought he’d could retire?
Dan Patrick, pictured during his show on Monday, criticized how ESPN handled the announcement of LeBron James at the ESPYs Sunday night. Screengrab via Twitter/@dpshow LeBron James announced he will be returning for a 21st NBA season .ABC via Getty Images
“It’s just…it’s just needy, and you don’t need it,” the former ESPN host continued.
Another presenter who wasn’t thrilled with the way the announcement was presented was Colin Cowherd.
“How about we do something cool in 2024 and beyond — occasional moments of a professional athlete’s humility,” Cowherd said.
He continued, “I like LeBron. I’m pro LeBron. [But] … “How lucky are we?” A little creepy.”
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“How about we do something cool in 2024 and beyond — occasional moments of a professional athlete’s humility.”
— @ColinCowherd At LeBron’s speech, he will officially return for season 21 pic.twitter.com/F8nGDjm5B7
— Herd with Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 13, 2023
Last season, James played in 55 regular season games for the Lakers, averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game.
The Lakers made it past the Grizzlies and Warriors in the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs before being defeated by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
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