Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James responded to one major criticism against his NBA career.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is widely considered no worse than the second-greatest player in NBA history. Regarded by many as the greatest player of all-time, James has an opportunity to continue building his legacy as he enters his 22nd NBA season.

Becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer last season, James overtook legendary center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the top spot in that category. Also the NBA’s all-time leader in playoff points, James now sits atop both of those categories.

In the national spotlight since high school, James has received a lot of praise throughout his basketball career, but also a lot of criticism.

United States guard LeBron James (6) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena.United States guard LeBron James (6) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena.

One common criticism against James is the idea that his game lacks skill. Many have argued that James has relied on strength throughout his NBA career, and lacks the skill of other all-time greats.

Issuing a blunt response to this narrative on his Instagram story, James reshared highlights from his 2015 playoff run with a sarcastic caption.

“Pure brute strength and just running people over my whole career,” James wrote. “No skill detected.”

Skip Bayless, one of James’ biggest critics throughout his NBA career, said last year the Lakers star played “bully ball” en route to breaking Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record.

“LeBron is a below average jump shooter, free throw shooter and it wasn’t a strength of his to shoot 3’s,” Bayless wrote on X as James was approaching the NBA’s all-time scoring record. “Yet here he is. It’s miraculous. He’s played the greatest brand of bully ball I’ve ever seen.”

This criticism against James has followed him throughout his career, and it’s one he issued a blunt response to on Instagram.