LeBron James has long been known for his intense game-day focus and signature shirtless looks, especially in the locker room. The Los Angeles Lakers star went fully shirtless during warmups before Friday’s game against the Houston Rockets. But this time, not everyone was impressed.
NBA legend and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas voiced strong disapproval of LeBron’s pregame outfit. Speaking during the NBA Halftime Show, Thomas didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment over the optics of such a casual outfit on the court.
“As a GM or coach, I would never let one of my players go out on the floor looking like this. We are a professional NBA league. We ain’t Summer League, we ain’t at the YMCA. I just think the professionalism in our NBA league has changed so much,” Thomas said.
Isiah Thomas goes off on LeBron James for warming up shirtless and in a durag
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 12, 2025
“the professionalism in our NBA league has diminished so much.”
(h/t @awfulannouncing )
pic.twitter.com/EEQ7Cg3jf3
“I like LeBron, I’m a fan of his. But to walk out on the floor before the game with no shirt on and shoot… where are we at? What are we doing? Adam Silver, if you want to fine somebody, fine that,” he added.
Fans Rip Isiah Thomas For His Harsh Words Toward LeBron James
The bold comments quickly made waves on social media, where fans were quick to defend LeBron and push back against Thomas’ harsh critique. Many pointed out that James has been doing this for years and that focusing on something as trivial as a warm-up outfit seemed out of touch.
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“There’s nothing professional about basketball. It’s a sport, they’re athletes; grow up,” one fan tweeted.
There’s nothing professional about basketball. It’s a sport, they’re athletes; grow up.
— No Sad Days (@NoSadDaysCo) April 12, 2025
Another added, “My God, these old heads just love to criticize everything about today’s game.”
My God these old heads just love to criticize everything about today's game.
— Adrian Morris (@Adrian_R_Morris) April 12, 2025
“It’s 3-4 hrs before the game! Who gives af ?? He been doing that! Nigga Got Bell’s palsy in one eye now he worried about seeing bron without on a shirt on,” one comment read.
It’s 3-4 hrs before the game! Who gives af ?? He been doing that !
— Real Sturdy 🧠👁✊🏽 (@KingSmoove009) April 12, 2025
Nigga Got Bell’s palsy in one eye now he worried about seeing bron without on a shirt on 😒
Some fans found the commentary especially ironic, given Thomas’ past admiration for James.
“bron could fix world hunger and people would say ‘why didn’t he cure cancer?’” one user joked.
bron could fix world hunger and people would say "why didnt he cure cancer?"
— 💫 (@BrunsonRunsNYC) April 12, 2025
Another simply asked, “What is wrong with it though?”
What is wrong with it though
— joegrower420.eth 🌱 (@joegrower420) April 12, 2025
LeBron James has yet to respond to Thomas’ comments. But given his long history of staying focused amid criticism, it’s unlikely the remarks will faze him. Still, it was a surprising moment for fans, especially considering that just last year, Thomas publicly praised LeBron, saying, “There’s never been another player like him.”
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