On Monday night, Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to win the National Championship, and among the notable attendees in Atlanta was none other than Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.
Fresh off a Sunday night game in Los Angeles against the Clippers and with a Tuesday matchup against the Washington Wizards looming, the 40-year-old NBA icon made a whirlwind trip across the country to support his beloved Buckeyes. While the Lakers were off Monday, the decision to make such a demanding journey raised eyebrows among fans and commentators.
LeBron’s whirlwind schedule
LeBron’s trip from Los Angeles to Atlanta and back—a flight that can take over four hours each way—comes in the midst of a grueling NBA season. The Lakers are 22-18, currently holding the sixth seed in the Western Conference, and James has been performing at a high level, averaging 23.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists while shooting 51.4% from the field and 40.0% from three-point range.
Via Arash Markazi of The Sporting Tribune:
“The Lakers are off tonight. They played last night in Los Angeles and play tomorrow night in Los Angeles, allowing LeBron James to make a quick trip to Atlanta to watch Ohio State take on Notre Dame for the national championship.”
Despite his impressive numbers, fans on social media expressed mixed reactions to his decision to prioritize a college football game during the season.
Fans react on social media
LeBron’s cross-country trek sparked a variety of reactions online, with some fans finding the move amusing and others questioning his commitment to the Lakers.
- @mathomp_501: “LeBron casually flying from LA to Atlanta and back on his off day to watch Ohio State has me laughing.”
- @CaptainKnots888: “LeBron really played a game last night in LA, flew to Atlanta to watch Ohio State, and has another game back in LA tomorrow night.”
- @Mark_My_Words79: “So Lakers play at home tomorrow night against the Wizards, and LeBron is across the country in Atlanta rooting on Ohio State. I’d bet the mortgage on him having a ‘load management’ day tomorrow.”
- @aTiFdAwOoD: “So LeBron James lost to the Clippers last night, also threw an air ball shooting a FT, and is in Atlanta to watch the college championship game. Yeah, he really cares.”
Balancing personal interests and team responsibilities
While some fans took issue with LeBron’s decision, others pointed out that Monday was a rare opportunity for the four-time NBA champion to support Ohio State, a school he has publicly backed for years. With no games scheduled that day, the trip allowed James to enjoy a personal moment without directly impacting the Lakers’ schedule.
Still, critics argue that such a trip could take a toll on the veteran’s body, especially as he’s expected to play significant minutes against the Wizards on Tuesday. Speculation about potential “load management” or an off-night for James has already begun circulating among fans and analysts.
The bigger picture for the Lakers
At 22-18, the Lakers find themselves in the thick of the playoff race. LeBron’s production has been vital to their success, but the team’s ability to maintain consistency will be critical as the season progresses. Balancing individual moments like this trip with team commitments will be key for James as he navigates his 21st NBA season.
Whether this cross-country excursion impacts his performance or not, LeBron’s unwavering support for Ohio State highlights his multifaceted persona—a family man, an NBA legend, and an avid sports fan.
