LeBron James told to ‘respect the game’ after controversial courtside actions.

LeBron James hit the headlines when he was pictured eating on the bench during a preseason game and a Los Angeles Lakers legend expressed his displeasure with his choice
A former member of the Los Angeles Lakers has criticized LeBron James for choosing to eat while sitting on the bench.

On October 14, the 38-year-old participated in the first half of a preseason contest against the Golden State Warriors. He didn’t participate in the second half and instead made his way back to the bench in regular street clothes rather than his basketball attire.

The 19-time All-Star did not come back empty-handed as he was seen on the sidelines eating a meal while watching the rest of the game. This infuriated five-time NBA champion Michael Cooper, who spent 12 seasons with the Lakers and won the Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.

After his playing days came to an end, Cooper was the Lakers’ assistant coach from 1994-1997 before moving over to the WNBA ’s Los Angeles Sparks, where he was the assistant before becoming head coach. He believes the former league MVP disrespected basketball by choosing to eat on the bench while a game was being played.

You’ve got to respect the game, man,” he said on the podcast “Showtime with Coop.” I don’t mind the guy eating, but go eat in the locker room, he’s over there. Then, instead of just sitting on the end of the bench eating, you come out and work with the team.

Even during the preseason, it is uncommon to see a player eating on the bench during a basketball game. James had no problem eating his dinner while keeping an eye on his teammates, perhaps because warm-up games are more laid back and he wasn’t going to play again.

In his 18 minutes of play, James registered 12 points, five assists, and two rebounds in the 129-125 defeat by the Warriors. The Lakers’ most recent pre-season game came against the Milwaukee Buks in the early hours of Monday morning, which they lost 108-97.

The Western Conference team has lost three of its five warm-up games but they will have one final opportunity to fine-tune the team before the new season commences. In the early hours of October 20, the Lakers will contest their final preseason game against the Phoenix Suns.

As James prepares for the start of their new season, which will begin in the early hours of October 25 against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, the team has allowed him to ease into this training camp and the preseason by incorporating rest days.

He takes such good care of himself and is always getting ready, so navigating these ‘challenges of the unknown’ is simple with him, according to Lakers coach Darvin Ham. “Once more, be available at the highest [level], not just to be available. We’ll just watch how it develops day by day.