LeBron James is nearly halfway through his 23rd NBA season, and the conversation around him still swings between admiration and fatigue. Every milestone, every gesture, seems to split NBA fans down the middle.
Before the Lakers faced the Kings, Topps announced James would wear a special patch for the game.
The design featured the silhouette of his trademark chalk toss, framed by the colors of every team he’s played for. It was meant as a callback to his first NBA game in Sacramento back in 2003.
The idea was simple: honor the beginning. The reaction, as usual with LeBron, was anything but.
Some fans rolled their eyes. “LeBron James is the most overrated player of all time, any sport. LeBron’s more overrated than Babe Ruth in baseball,” @surgieboi posted.
LeBron James is the most overrated player of all time, any sport. LeBron’s more overrated than Babe Ruth is in baseball.
— 𝖘𝖚𝖗𝖌𝖎𝖊𝖇𝖔𝖎 (@surgieboi) January 12, 2026
Others defended the gesture. “Respect the legacy, that chalk toss means something,” @NovexFi wrote.
And some kept it light. “Cute nod to the King’s legacy. Still tossing chalk like it’s 2005,” @francryptofit added.
The game itself didn’t deliver a fairy‑tale ending. Sacramento closed strong and beat Los Angeles, 124–112, at Golden 1 Center. LeBron James still put up 22 points, four rebounds, and three assists, but the loss dulled the shine of the tribute.
“Pure class”: NBA fans react to Carlos Alcaraz wearing LeBron James’ jersey ahead of the Australian Open
While NBA fans argued over whether the patch was greatness or spectacle, LeBron’s reach showed up far from the court.
Ahead of the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz warmed up in a LeBron jersey at Melbourne Park.
The crossover moment caught traction online almost instantly.
“Pure class. I’m predicting him making an easy route to the final,” @DiegoIntegrals said.
Pure class. Im predicting him making an easy route to the final
— Diego F. Integrals (@DiegoIntegrals) January 12, 2026
“Number one knows the number one ……,” @t80730 added.
Others joked: “He’s telling us he’s going to lose in the finals to Sinner,” @JimmyGetsWs wrote.
That’s LeBron in year 23. Every gesture sparks debate. Every tribute splits opinion. Even when the game itself fades, he still finds a way to sit at the center of the conversation — whether it’s a patch in Sacramento or a tennis star in Melbourne showing respect.
