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Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was criticized by former MS NOW host Mehdi Hasan on Sunday after he was asked if he had a message for fans returning to Israel.
James held a separate news conference before playing in his 22nd All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. He was asked: “For all Israeli fans, what message would you like to send to Israel and what do you think about Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers All-Star).
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Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after Game 2 during the 75th NBA All Star Game at the Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026. (Jayne Kamin/Oncea-Imagn Images)
“I’ve been quoted before about Deni and what I thought about his season and I believe he’s an All-Star and he’s an All-Star. He plays exceptional basketball, so that’s it. And then, if I had fans there, I never went there,” James said.
“If I have fans there, then I hope you’ve followed my career, I hope I inspire people there to not only want to be great in sports, but to be better in general in life. So, I hope one day I can make that happen. Like I said, I’ve never been there but I’ve heard good things. I appreciate the question.”
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Mehdi Hasan speaks on stage during Crooked Media – Lovett or Leave It: Live on Tour on April 25, 2024 in Washington, DC (Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Crooked Media)
Hasan, who had a history of controversial statements about Israel, intervened.
“What a shame LeBron is,” he wrote on X.
Hasan has drawn backlash in the past for his hardline stances against Israel after Hamas terrorists launched a deadly attack on October 7, 2023 and took hundreds of hostages. The terrorist attack triggered a massive response from Israel which later led to a ceasefire agreement.
Avdija was an All-Star for the first time in his career and is the only active NBA player in Israel. He is one of four national players to have played in the NBA, along with Omri Casspi, TJ Leaf and Gal Mekel.
USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) answers questions before the NBA All-Star basketball game on Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Avdija played a total of 15 minutes between the two matches played by the World All-Stars in the new format. The World All-Stars lost both matches.
