LeBron James mocked as 'LeSnitch' and 'LeKaren' after ejecting heckling fans from game and then is fined after making obscene gesture — during same contest
Has NBA superstar LeBron James been getting triggered of late?
Since he got his backside handed to him on Twitter for mocking Kyle Rittenhouse's tears on the witness stand earlier this month, James seems to have been just a little bit on edge.
What are the details?
About a week after his Rittenhouse tweet, James got annoyed at Boston Celtics' center Enes Kanter for wearing shoes depicting James bowing to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who places a crown on James' head:
Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter wore sneakers tonight \u2014 while playing against the Lakers \u2014 with LeBron James bowing down while China\u2019s dictator puts a crown on his head.pic.twitter.com/E1L4ZyPWrF— Clay Travis (@Clay Travis) 1637378287
Kanter has publicly criticized brutal regimes like China — and also has taken aim at James, who has a highly lucrative endorsement deal with Nike.
Before the game, Kanter posted photos of his shoes on Twitter and wrote the following message to James: "Money over Morals for the 'King.' Sad & disgusting how these athletes pretend they care about social justice. They really do 'shut up & dribble' when Big Boss says so. Did you educate yourself about the slave labor that made your shoes or is that not part of your research?"
James replied after the Celtics' victory over the Los Angeles Lakers that Kanter "always kind of had a word or two to say in my direction, and as a man, if you got an issue with somebody, you really come up to him. He had his opportunity tonight. I seen him in the hallway; he walked right by me."
James ejected, fined for 'some bulls**t'
A few days later James received a one-game suspension after striking and bloodying the face of Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart:
Lakers\u2019 LeBron James ejected for this blow to face of Pistons\u2019 Isaiah Stewartpic.twitter.com/fsRtNJgekF— Ben Golliver (@Ben Golliver) 1637541647
James later referred to the suspension as "some bulls**t," Reuters reported, after which the league publicly warned him against "using profane language during media availability."
The outlet said James' one-game ban kept him off the court against the New York Knicks, who beat the Lakers 106-100 Tuesday.
'LeSnitch' and 'LeKaren' are born
The very next day James was back in action in a road game against the Indiana Pacers — and James' troubles began where they left off.
But this time King James was upset at heckling fans rather than opposing players.
So upset, in fact, that he dragged a referee over to a couple sitting in the front row, pointed them out, and seconds later security was escorting a man and woman from the arena.
And Twitter ripped James — mocking him as "LeSnitch" and "LeKaren" for his crybaby antics:
LeSnitch back to his old tricks! He'll call fouls on people who aren't even in the game, cry to the officials. It's what he does. He whines to the league when things don't go his way. Nuggets fans remember what happened in the playoffs.https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1463701744358150150\u00a0\u2026— Terry Wayne Carpenter, Jr. (@Terry Wayne Carpenter, Jr.) 1637858750
Wait. He got heckling fans kicked out of an opponent's arena? That's just embarrassing. LeKaren.https://twitter.com/ActionNetworkHQ/status/1463701481308123139\u00a0\u2026— Ben (@Ben) 1637814650
The unnamed spectators seemed to take it well — the contest was almost over anyway:
But that wasn't all.
Prior to James getting the spectators ejected — which occurred during overtime — he made an obscene gesture with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter after draining a 3-point shot that gave his Lakers a six-point lead.
The following is video of James making the gesture for all the Pacers' fans to see:
LeBron James Does a WILD CELEBRATION after Hitting DEEP CLUTCH 3youtu.be
Maybe that's what the soon-to-be-ejected fans were annoyed about.
Anyway, the NBA was upset, too, and fined James $15,000 for the gesture, which NBC Sports said was a "big balls" dance made famous by former NBA player Sam Cassell.
James ended up scoring 39 points as the Lakers won 124-116 over the Pacers.
Maybe LeBron had a chance to chill over Thanksgiving.
(H/T: The Daily Wire)
Black police chief fired after black leaders — including state senator — were charged with conspiring to damage Confederate monument
The police chief of Portsmouth, Virginia, was fired Monday after two months on paid administrative leave following a controversy in which police charged local black leaders — including a state senator — with conspiring to damage a Confederate monument during a protest in June, WAVY-TV reported.
What are the details?
At the June 10 protest in Portsmouth, demonstrators damaged Confederate statues as part of a nationwide wave of racial justice protests in the wake of George Floyd's death — and one Portsmouth demonstrator was seriously injured after a toppled, beheaded statue fell on his head.
In August, city police charged Democratic state Sen. Louise Lucas — Virginia's most senior black legislator — and 18 other plaintiffs, including a school board member and members of the local NAACP chapter and the public defender's office, with conspiracy to commit a felony and injury to a monument in excess of $1,000, NBC News reported.
Greene, who is black, said Lucas and others "conspired and organized to destroy the monument as well as summon hundreds of people to join in felonious acts," the network added.
NBC News, citing the police version of events in a probable cause summary, reported that Lucas was with a number of people who were shaking cans of spray paint, and she told police they were going to vandalize the statues "and you can't stop them ... they got a right, go ahead!"
More from WAVY:
We asked Greene whether she would argue there were political and city leaders that wanted the monument to be defaced, to which she nodded her head "yes." We also asked whether she believed they didn't want her to pursue charges in connection with the monument vandalism — also a "yes."
But on Monday, the charges against Lucas and the other black leaders were dismissed.
The Portsmouth Commonwealth Attorney's Office said there was "no proper evidence" to support the charges that the plaintiffs' actions "rise to the level of felony destruction of property or conspiracy," NBC News reported, citing a dismissal motion.
A judge also questioned why police went around local prosecutors to bring charges, the network said, adding that city leaders questioned Greene's involvement in the Confederate protest investigation due to an unspecified conflict of interest. Local activists and clergy leaders called for her resignation or firing, NBC News added.
The dismissal drew praise from Democrats who condemned the charges, the network said:
JUSTICE IN PORTSMOUTH. Our hero Louise Lucas and her fellow proud Portsmouth citizens deserve our admiration. Grate… https://t.co/eJ71zLlbC3— Terry McAuliffe (@Terry McAuliffe)1605536240.0
More from NBC News:
Lucas' office could not immediately be reached for comment. The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported that she said dismissal of the case "gives people hope" that "when they come to these courtrooms that they will be treated in a fair and just manner, even though you may have a rogue police department who intends to criminalize the justice system against people like me."
WAVY said Greene was placed on leave in September with pay — and then on Monday she was fired. A city spokeswoman declined to tell NBC News if Greene's firing was connected to the charges filed against Lucas and that other black leaders.
Prior to her firing, which took place during a 15-minute meeting, Greene told the station her hope was for "full reinstatement, because I did nothing wrong."
After the meeting she confirmed to WAVY that she "was terminated, and I am one less badge and one less gun" — and that she wasn't given any explanation for her firing or given severance pay. The station said Greene has young children and an elderly parent, and a fund has been set up to help with her expenses.
What happened after the chief's firing?
Greene held a news conference after the firing and said she'd file a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city, WAVY reported.
Former Chief Greene had gun and badge taken. Left office with no job, no income, and a legal defense fund has been… https://t.co/iEHkScz2rs— Andy Fox (@Andy Fox)1605535678.0
"I believe I was wrongfully terminated for upholding the law and being retaliated against for sticking to my sworn oath that I swore to serve and protect my citizens, community and keeping my officers safe," she said, according to NBC News.
(H/T: HotAir)
'Stop the madness': Virginia governor demands Trump rally be cancelled due pandemic rules — but the campaign says the show must go on
The governor of Virginia and other state officials are warning an airport that hosting a Trump 2020 rally could result in a "super-spreader" event, but the campaign intends to continue with the rally.
The event is planned for Friday evening at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, excoriated the airport officials for defying his coronavirus order and continuing with their plans to host the rally.
"Public health experts have made it clear: tomorrow's @realdonaldtrump clown show should not move forward," he tweeted on Thursday.
Public health experts have made it clear: tomorrow’s @realdonaldtrump clown show should not move forward. The rally… https://t.co/yfy7CEzlJ0— Terry McAuliffe (@Terry McAuliffe)1600981684.0
"The rally will put Virginians health in jeopardy. Stop the madness and cancel this event," he demanded.
He posted letters from the governor's office by Virginia's secretary of transportation and the secretary of health and human resources warning the airport that the rally would violate pandemic lockdown limitations on public gatherings.
McAuliffe had previously criticized the rally on Tuesday and accused the president of putting Virginians in danger.
"These super-spreading clown show rallies present a real public health risk. On the day we mourn the loss of 200K Americans to COVID-19, it's alarming @realdonaldtrump will be putting Virginians at risk by coming here," he tweeted.
Up to 4,000 people are expected to attend the rally on Friday.
The show must go on
Republican party and Trump campaign officials said the show must go on.
"We're going to follow the CDC guidelines, and people are going to behave in a way that's appropriate," said Newport News Republican Party Local Chair Tom Amen to WTKR-TV.
Trump campaign officials made a similar statement.
"Every attendee will get a temperature check prior to admission, be provided a mask they're encouraged to wear, and have access to plenty of hand sanitizer," they said.
Not everyone is upset about the rally, of course.
"When you hear it's just a mile away from your house, that's wonderful," said Newport News resident Robin Necker to WTKR. "
"I just want to see the man in person, and I want to hear what he says," said her husband Bill Necker. "He's good for our country, I believe, and I'm really looking forward to voting for him."
Here's a local news report about the Trump rally:
Letter from Virginia officials asks airports to remember COVID-19 restrictions, cancel Trump rallywww.youtube.com
www.theblaze.com
freebeacon.com