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Lakers Great Chides LeBron James for Eating on Bench During Game

Lakers legend Michael Cooper ripped into LeBron James for eating on the bench during the team’s preseason game Friday night against the Warriors.

James, who played in the first half of the game, was caught by cameras eating at the end of the bench in street clothes in the second half as his team battled the Warriors in a ramp up to the regular season.

“I didn’t like it,” Cooper said on The Showtime Podcast“I didn’t like that. Again, he’s LeBron James, but still, you got to have respect for the game man, man. He’s sitting over there. I don’t mind the guy eating, but go eat in the locker room, and then when you come out and be part of the team, not just sit at the end of the bench eating.”

May 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former Los Angeles Lakers Michael Cooper talks with former tennis player and activist Billie Jean King as they attend the game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Phoenix Mercury at Crypto.com Arena.

Los Angeles Lakers great Michael Cooper, pictured attending a game with tennis legend Billie Jean King, criticized LeBron James for eating on the bench during a preseason game.

James finished with 12 points, five assists and two rebounds in 18 minutes of action, as the Lakers fell 129–125 to the Warriors. 

Los Angeles tips off the regular season next Tuesday night against the defending champion Nuggets in Denver. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

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