LeBron James had an awkward moment when he thought the crowd cheered for him, but they were actually celebrating another athlete instead.
Recently, LeBron James experienced an awkward moment at the Olympics when he mistakenly thought the crowd was cheering for him.
The basketball star was enjoying the events when he reacted to cheers, only to realize that the fans were celebrating another athlete.
This incident quickly went viral, drawing laughter and attention from fans and social media users.
The 2024 Olympics in Paris have provided countless memorable moments.
However, one incident involving NBA superstar LeBron James has become a viral sensation.
During the quarterfinal basketball match between Team USA and Brazil, LeBron James became the center of attention.
However, it was not for the reasons he thought.
LeBron James mistakenly thinks the crowd cheering for him
As the match was ending and Team USA was winning, the crowd at the Bercy Arena cheered and applauded loudly.
Interpreting the enthusiastic reaction as a tribute to him, the 39-year-old James waved to the crowd.
He even made his signature “King James” gesture, pretending to put an imaginary crown on his head.
However, James’ moment in the spotlight was brief and then turned into an awkward moment.
It was soon revealed that the crowd was cheering for French swimmer Léon Marchand.
He was sitting courtside and had just won multiple gold medals for France.
Footage of the incident quickly spread on social media, with many users finding humor in James’ mistaken assumption that the ovation was meant for him.
The veteran forward, known for his confident and even brash persona on the court, was caught in an awkward moment of confusion.
According to reports, the crowd’s cheers were likely prompted by Marchand being shown on the Jumbotron, leading James to believe they were directed at him.
The French swimmer, who had just finished a great performance at the Games, stood up and acknowledged the applause.
Despite the embarrassing moment, James stayed professional and continued to support his team.
They won the game 122-87 against Brazil, securing their spot in the semifinals.
The superstar finished the game with a solid stat line, contributing 12 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Social media reactions
The viral moment has led to many reactions on social media.
Some fans found the situation funny, while others felt sorry for James for misunderstanding.
I’m not one of his fans but he deserves all the applause in this tournament.
He is the best player so far in this tournament, one user said.
Basketball will be better once he retires, the second user commented.
Of course, he thought the cheers were for him. So conceded, it’s all about him. Always has been, the third user said.
Who cares…. He’s the king, stop the nonsense and the hate, another wrote.
A legend in his own mind, someone said.