The Los Angeles Lakers found themselves in a situation rarely seen this season, owning a huge lead over the Portland Trail Blazers throughout much of Sunday night’s 134–110 victory. LeBron James went into full coach mode with just over six minutes left and the Lakers leading by twenty-three. It seemed like James was ready to take a seat on the bench and get some rest.
James made the decision to foul in order to halt the play. He eventually seemed to remove himself from the game after calling a timeout. Lakers coach Darvin Ham, meanwhile, appeared to show a mix of confusion and agreement at first.
LeBron took a foul to take himself out and then called a timeout because Darvin Ham wouldn't do it himself, can't make it up lol pic.twitter.com/kx3lbKrb9U
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) January 22, 2024
At that same timeout, Austin Reaves replaced James as the starter. However, the internet went into a frenzy when it appeared that the future Hall of Famer was choosing Ham, and the responses weren’t disappointing.
Can’t bring your timouts to the nextgame coach
— JayHoops (@Jayhooptalk) January 22, 2024
Why’d he try calling a timeout after Bron already did? And he was facing Bron too 🤦♂️”Yeah Bron, I was gonna call a timeout too” 🤣
— Jay (@JayBOAT14) January 22, 2024
I swear bro sits in the same position with hands in his pockets and does nothing all game 😭
— Mugsy (@Mugsy_A1) January 22, 2024
Darvin was so startled that Bron burned a Timeout
— Lakers Purp (@Lakers_Purp) January 22, 2024
Bron wanted to be watching LeDivisional round tonight😪
— Spence (@spencemessi) January 22, 2024
LeBron teaching Darvin the hand signal for timeout.
— With The English Podcast (@WithTheEnglish1) January 22, 2024
Look at him pretending to call a timeout when Bron was already telling the refs timeout. He’s done this at least 5 times this season when Lebron was the one who called TO before him and he’s like “yeah that’s right bron I was gonna call a timeout too”
— You know what (@kebindgreat) January 22, 2024