LeBron James says he’s taking a break from social media.
The all-time leading scorer in the NBA and star player for the Los Angeles Lakers announced his hiatus on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram on Wednesday. With an impressive following of 159 million on Instagram and 52.9 million on X, James’s decision is sure to resonate with fans worldwide.
His announcement began with a repost of a message from Rich Kleiman, who manages Kevin Durant. This original post was shared on X on October 24, setting the stage for James’s own reflections.
On Instagram, James included a screenshot of Kleiman’s post, expressing his feelings with the caption, “Damn shame what it’s come to.” His repost on X was succinct, simply stating, “AMEN!!” This indicates a shared sentiment about the current state of social media.
Kleiman has limited his social media activity since his October 24 post, and it appears that James intends to follow suit, stepping back from posting for an indefinite period.
This decision came shortly after James expressed frustration over being labeled a liar regarding his interest in Dalton Knecht’s college games at Tennessee, which he watched before the Lakers drafted the sharpshooter.
He concluded his announcement with a friendly farewell: “And with that said I’ll holla at y’all! Getting off social media for the time being. Y’all take care.” Accompanied by emojis of a hand showing two fingers—a gesture often associated with departure—and a crown symbolizing his “King James” identity, his message was both personal and poignant.
At 40 years old next month, James remains the oldest active player in the NBA. His accolades include four NBA championships and three Olympic gold medals, the latest of which he earned at the Paris Games earlier this year.
Currently, the Lakers hold a strong record of 10-4, riding a six-game winning streak. They are set to face the Orlando Magic at home on Thursday, a matchup that fans will surely anticipate in the absence of their social media-savvy star.
