ESPN's Jay Bilas roasted for LeBron James ‘complainer' comment during Lakers game
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas made what turned into a controversial comment regarding LeBron James' interactions with referees during the Lakers' Game 1 loss to the Timberwolves on Saturday night.
As James expressed his frustration over a no-call on a jump shot, Bilas defended the superstar, stating, 'He's not a complainer.'
LeBron James warms up prior to the Lakers' Game 1 playoff outing against the Timberwolves. Getty Images
'LeBron James thought he got hit on that jump shot, and I think he did,' Bilas said.
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Added ESPN play-by-play announcer Mark Jones, also on the call for the game, 'You can see the tangible frustration etched on the faces of both he and [Luka] Dončić tonight.'
Bilas added, infamously, 'And he's not a complainer.'
The statement immediately raised eyebrows, considering James' well-documented history of… well… complaining about not getting calls and to referees, in general, during games.
Jay Bilas smiles during the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame announcement on April 5, 2025 at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio Texas. NBAE via Getty Images
LeBron James is often seen arguing calls or voicing displeasure toward referees, frequently making headlines as a result.
Critics quickly took to social media, expressing their disbelief over the comment.
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'Jay Bilas clearly only watches college basketball,' one Tweeter wrote. 'Nobody complains more than Lebron, other than maybe Luka.'
Another wrote, 'This guy lost all credibility. The most preposterous statement of all time.'
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas humorously chimed in with a video mocking the idea that James is not a complainer, and posing a photo of the Lakers star on one knee 'begging' for a call from a referee.
All of this, of course, as the Lakers were obliterated by the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-95 in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff run, and at home in Los Angeles.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts toward referee Brian Forte (45) after called for a foul on Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
James finished the night with 19 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals while shooting just 1-for-5 from three.
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