LeBron James has been criticized after retiring from the NBA All-Star game at the last minute.
James announced that he would not play in the game due to injury concerns, just over an hour before the start in San Francisco.
'You won't see anything from me tonight. Unfortunately, I will not be in uniform tonight, I'm still dealing with the annoyance of the ankles and feet. So I won't play … unfortunately. I hate that, “James said.
His decision caused the outrage of some NBA fans, who said James should not have left it so late to retire and, therefore, “steal” someone else of the opportunity to play.
“He took a whole place from someone who always wanted to be in a game of stars,” said a fan.
Another supporter described James 'Crazy' for his decision and accused him of taking the game of stars for 'granted'.
“Apply until Sunday and not playing is crazy,” they wrote. '(You) could have informed the team that you can't play to have a ready replacement. I feel that the All Star game is assumed.
Another added: 'I could have said this before. Norman Powell could have made his first appearance in the star game. '
A room said: “So you couldn't have said that before and you gave a young man a younger star?”
Many of the largest stars in the NBA have directed San Francisco for the All-Star weekend, including Victor Wembanyama, Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards.
This year, for the first time, the All Stars have divided into four teams for a mini tournament.
James was the first general selection in the draft for this year's event. He was selected by Shaquille O'Neal for his team 'Shaq's OGS'.