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Former NBA Veteran Calls LeBron James 'Selfish' For Missing 2025 All-Star Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jack Meyer | Last updated Feb 18, 2025 2:21 PM ET

As the negative reviews continue to pour in for NBA All-Star Weekend, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has drawn some ire from fans and analysts alike for his last-second withdrawal from Sunday's All-Star Game.

Nine-year NBA veteran and former Florida Gators forward Chandler Parsons put James directly on blast Monday morning. Parsons, a co-host of FanDuel TV's "Run It Back" alongside fellow veteran Lou Williams and NBA analyst Michelle Beadle, did not hold back in his criticism for James' decision.

Parsons believes that James would have played if his son, fellow Laker Bronny James, was on the Rising Stars roster.

"Here's the problem I have... with LeBron James not wanting to play against Rising Stars," Parsons said. "All these other NBA players have to play against his son, because LeBron has kind of put him in that situation... He doesn't want to play against the young guys, but everyone else has to play against [his son]?"

Parsons later said that he believes another player, such as Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis, could have taken his place in the game.

"I think that this ankle has been lingering for a while," he said. "He's been on the injury report for a game-time decision in the games leading up, so you kind of knew it was a possibility that you weren't going to play. I think it just can be viewed as selfish that you didn't want someone else to replace you."

James announced less than two hours before the game that he would not be playing due to discomfort in his ankle. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards also pulled out of the game just hours before tip-off due to a groin injury.

The 2025 All-Star Game saw the NBA debut a new format with four teams drafted by basketball legends Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Candace Parker. While O'Neal's "OGs" defeated Barkley's "Global Stars" in the championship game, the event has drawn widespread criticism for its emphasis on the game's presentation rather than the game itself.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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