LeBron James posted a heartfelt message to his daughter after the presidential election

As the entire NBA took Tuesday off for Election Day in the United States and the results poured in, it took time for many folks to digest the news.

Even though sports is likely not on the mind of many Americans today after such an impactful political decision, the gravity of the results will certainly impact virtually everyone in America. That includes four-time NBA Finals MVP and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who expressed his thoughts on social media after the election.

It isn't easy to have the right words to say right now, but James immediately thought of his 10-year-old daughter Zhuri.

ELECTION RESULTS: It's hard to write about sports today.

Here is what James wrote on Instagram:

"HEAVY ON MY HEART & MIND THIS AM MY PRINCESS 👸🏾!! PROMISE TO PROTECT YOU WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE AND MORE!! WE DONT NEED THEIR HELP!"

James had a similar reaction when Donald Trump won the U.S. Presidential Election in 2016.

Attending Diddy’s Parties Comes Back to Haunt LeBron James as Fans Embarass the NBA Legend With Infamous Maid Outfit

Sean P Diddy Combs' arrest on the charges of racketeering, s*x trafficking, and transportation to engage in pr*stitution has had a disastrous impact on not only his career but also on those associated with him in the past. Since many of his alleged crimes took place at his parties, celebrities who were seen attending such events have found themselves being dragged into this whole drama.

One of these celebrities, who has otherwise managed to stay away from drama all his life, is the celebrated NBA star LeBron James. Since Diddy's arrest, one of James' photos, in which he is seen dressed as a maid, has come back to haunt him.

Fans Embarrass LeBron James for His 'Maid' Outfit Amid Diddy's Arrest

Following the arrest of the music mogul and record producer, things in the entertainment industry have taken a turn for the worse. While fans are apparently attacking celebrities close to Diddy, those who were friends and acquaintances with the rapper are skillfully keeping quiet and have distanced themselves from him.

The NBA legend LeBron James too is part of such a group, keeping his mouth shut despite having attended the I Need a Girl hitmakers parties various times (see TMZ). In the past, while on an Instagram Live with Diddy himself, the basketball star had once claimed (via New York Post):

Hey, everybody know, ain't no party like a Diddy party!

And this comment has aged terribly after a photo of James went viral on social media, in which he can be seen wearing a 'maid outfit.' Social media users have since been calling out the rapper for allegedly 'wearing a maid outfit for Diddy,' even though the image has now been found to be AI-generated.

Several fans also pointed out James' comments about Diddy's parties, questioning the Lakers star for not speaking up even though he only attended the rapper's parties (like many other celebrities) and has not been named in the many lawsuits against Diddy.

LeBron James' Infamous Maid Image is Not Authentic

Unlike many of his contemporaries and fellow celebrities, NBA legend LeBron James has managed to keep away from any potentially career-ending controversies and drama. Throughout his career, he has stirred away from them successfully, but it seems one of the entertainment world's biggest controversies has finally broken his otherwise clean track record.

While fans continue to haunt him and those close to Diddy for not speaking up, even though their role in the rapper's alleged crimes is unknown, James had to recently suffer public embarrassment after an image of him dressed as a maid went viral on social media. However, as Lead Stories reports, the image is not authentic but rather AI-generated.

First shared on X in a now-deleted post way back in April, it resurfaced when the music mogul was arrested by Federal Authorities in September. Since then, the photo has been shared across platforms, stirring up controversy and wrongfully being associated with Diddy.

But as Lead Stories found, the image has a 95% chance of having been generated via an Artificial Intelligence tool and it might even be edited. As Diddy's case continues to develop, fans have their eyes set on LeBron James and other celebrities to figure out if they were in any way involved with his alleged crimes.

LeBron James’ $1.5 Million Health Routine Explains How He Still Dominates In Year 22

Getty Image

There are many reasons that LeBron James is considered one of the two greatest players in NBA history.

James leads the league in scoring all-time. He is a four-time NBA MVP, and four-time NBA champ. He's a 20-time NBA All-Star and 13-time first-team All-NBA selection.

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of James' career is that at age 39, in his 22nd NBA season, he's still one of the league's elite players.

How does it do it? Well, it all starts with an insane $1.5 million healthcare routine.

At 39, LeBron James spends $1.5 million a year to stay fit.

In the latest Netflix series "Starting 5" they revealed his biohacking regimen. These are the exact methods that kept him dominating the NBA for 20+ years.

Let's break down his 7-figure biohacking routine: 🧵 pic.twitter.com/z9f6LYQUdi

— Ben Smith (@bensmithlive) November 3, 2024

Healthcare coach Ben Smith reviewed James' routine, including details revealed in interviews as well as in the new Netflix series Starting 5.

What Smith learned is that James goes above and beyond to make sure he performs better in year 22 than most players have in their entire NBA careers.

The first thing Smith addresses is nutrition. James lives on a low-sugar diet and tries to keep his sugar intake to primarily natural sugars.

Cut out sugar, go heavy on carbs and hydration for performance.

• Breakfast: Egg white omelet with smoked salmon + gluten-free pancakes with berries

• Lunch: Whole wheat pasta, salmon, and vegetables

• Dinner: Chicken parm with a rocket salad + a glass of Cabernet pic.twitter.com/JmuWDHeXBX

— Ben Smith (@bensmithlive) November 3, 2024

He then addresses James' workout routine, which focuses on building muscular stamina by using high-rep, low-weight workouts that target multiple muscle groups at once.

When it comes to recovery, James uses tools such as regular ice baths to reduce soreness and inflammation. James also uses a hyperbaric chamber, which Smith says "delivers pure oxygen at high pressure, forcing more oxygen to dissolve in blood plasma. This increased oxygen in the bloodstream reaches more tissues and organs, super-charging the body's healing by providing extra energy for cell repair and reducing inflammation."

But the biggest element that Smith points to for recovery is James' sleep routine.

"Sleep is crucial for LeBron's recovery. He's well aware of this and aims for 12 hours of sleep each night,' Smith writes. "He typically takes naps several times a day—on flights or between training sessions."

James sleeps in rooms that are between 68-70 degrees. He does not have a TV or phone with him, and uses blackout curtains for complete darkness.

On top of it all, James uses additional recovery and preparation methods to keep his body at its peak physical performance.

He also utilises the power of:

• Soft tissue work• Red-light therapy• Compression boots• Hot-cold contrast baths

And it's not surprising. Being elite requires elite methods. pic.twitter.com/Z1GNghksas

— Ben Smith (@bensmithlive) November 3, 2024

LeBron James is one of the best athletes the world has ever seen. But he also has an immense dedication to being great. Combine those things and it's easy to see why, even at age 39, James is one of the best basketball players on the planet.

J.J. Redick's 'secret' revealed: The 'ugly' way he got the job coaching LeBron James and the Lakers

J.J. Redick's hiring as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers came as a surprise to many fans and analysts who cover the NBA. Here was one of basketball's most storied franchises taking a chance on a rookie coach, two years after making the Western Conference Finals with LeBron James and Anthony Davis -- and one year after winning the inaugural NBA Cup.

But though it is early in the 2024/25 season, Redick is proving himself as a capable coach and leader, especially in a locker room with challenging dynamics. Redick, a 15-year pro who last played in the NBA in 2021, is showing that he is always up for a confrontation -- and that he is not afraid to go after a legend like LeBron.

On his show "Podcast P", Philadelphia 76ers superstar Paul George revealed how Redick convinced Lakers brass to hire him as Darvin Ham's replacement over the summer.

After his playing career ended, Redick joined ESPN as an analyst and broadcaster -- a position that allowed him to debate the network's leading personality, Stephen A. Smith. Those heated debates with Smith played a significant part in convincing Lakers leadership -- including general manager Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss -- to hire Redick.

"He is very good at confrontations and you need a strong coach that's built for confrontation," George explained.

However, from speaking with Redick, George also understands that the former sharpshooter is a genuinely forward-thinking basketball mind who will bring a lot to the Lakers this season. So far, so good -- Los Angeles is 4-2 and visits the Detroit Pistons on Monday night in a game that Redick's men are favored to win.

"That team has bought into him," George said. "They trust him, and they believe in him. That's one of the biggest things, especially when you have a megastar like LeBron and (another star in) Anthony Davis on your side and those guys buy into you from jump. (It) says a lot about (Redick's) presence there."

Opinion: 'Always a shock.' Fayetteville activist appears in viral LeBron James post on X

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Lakers News: Former LA Rival Lashes Out at LeBron James for Bronny Draft Selection

As the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James has understandably played sparingly thus far for his new team. The 6-foot-2 USC product, son of 20-time All-Star Lakers combo forward LeBron James, has appeared in just two games, and has scored just a single bucket. He's averaging 1.0 points on 25 percent field goal shooting, one assist, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 steals across 4.0 minutes per.

During a recent episode of former NBA All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas' Underdog show "Gil's Arena," Arenas and guests Josiah Johnson, Rashad McCants, Brandon Jennings and Kenyon Martin unpacked L.A.'s decision to select the 20-year-old James, considered something of a flier, in the second round.

When talk turned to former owner Dr. Jerry Buss and his daughter, current owner Jeanie, former Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings shooting guard Rashad McCants called out what he believes to be the nepotism behind the Bronny James draft pick.

"If we gon' criticize her daddy, guess who gon' get criticized?" McCants said in response to a reference to Jeanie and Jerry Buss. "Guess who gon' get criticized too?"

At another point on the podcast, McCants elaborated on his grievances with the decision to select Bronny James in the draft at all, when he was probably not quite NBA ready and was perhaps prioritized over other talent.

"He's taking all the attention away from everybody because of who his dad is," McCants noted. "It ain't his fault. He was put in this position... It's not a situation he can come out being successful early on. We have to wait for him to be successful. We have to wait for his development... Before he got picked 55th, he was LeBron James' son... That's the point. It ain't no knock on him."

McCants knows of what he speaks. Across four NBA seasons from 2005-09, McCants averaged 10.0 points on .431/.368/.741 shooting splits, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.7 steals a night, mostly off the bench.

Arenas, himself a former second round draft pick, talked about the relative early treatment of a second round pick in the league.

"How many players didn't even make the roster that got drafted [this year]? Already eight or nine. Come on, there's no expectations on these [second round] guys, man," Arenas said. "The fact that he got in a preseason game, he should be good. I got in a preseason game and fell... Robert Horry did a hard shoulder on me, I [had] never seen that before and just fell."

Arenas, an eventual three-time All-Star, was selected with the No. 31 overall pick out of Arizona in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. He blossomed into one of the league's best playmakers when he jumped ship to the Washington Wizards, but his prime was cut short by personal drama and injury issues. He last played in the NBA in 2011-12, then spent a year abroad with CBA club the Shanghai Sharks before hanging up his sneakers for good.

"But that's what a second round pick is," Arenas continued. "You get in these little minutes of the games. And when [the] season starts, he might get in the game here and there, might miss 10 games, might go to the G League, play some games down there, come back up. Might sit... If he plays more than 16 actual games, he did good."

More Lakers: Anthony Davis Doesn't Hold Back on LA's Offense In Cavaliers Loss

LeBron and Bronny James's First Career NBA Buckets Were Remarkably Similar

Bronny James checked off a big box on his NBA bucket list Wednesday night, scoring his first career basket in the Los Angeles Lakers' 134–110 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The 20-year-old guard scored his first career points in the arena he grew up attending games while his dad, forward LeBron James, played 11 seasons for the Cavaliers over two stints. Cleveland fans gave Bronny a rousing ovation when he checked into the game Wednesday night and an even louder round of applause after he swished in a jumper from 14 feet.

Bronny James's first made basket actually looked pretty similar to his father's first career basket he scored in his NBA debut against the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena on Oct. 29, 2003.

Just about four minutes into his career, LeBron James dribbled in a few steps from the perimeter and took a jump shot from 16 feet near the baseline. It was nothing but net to mark the first two points for the eventual all-time NBA scoring leader.

Bronny James's first points swished through the rim from 14 feet away—and near the baseline, just like his dad almost 21 years to the date.

The James family and the Lakers (3-2) return to the court Friday to visit the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Perhaps there are more minutes in the Lakers' rotation for the 20-year-old James in Toronto.

LeBron James' Immediate Reaction To Bronny James' First NBA Basket Isn't What We Expected

Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers scored his first NBA basket on Wednesday, but the reaction of his father and teammate, LeBron James, was stoic. (Watch the video below.)

The younger James sank a midrange jump shot in the waning minutes of the Lakers' blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cleveland crowd erupted, well aware that Bronny was a constant presence in the arena when his father starred for the Cavs.

But his dad? Looks like he ate something that disagreed with him.

Granted, he might have been more expressive elsewhere in the immediate moment. Or he was glum over getting pasted by his old team. Or maybe he was feeling the effects of a cold he reportedly had.

The elder James, a four-time NBA champion who's the league's all-time scorer, certainly seemed happier in a postgame interview with his son, though.

"To see him get his first NBA basket in this arena where he grew up not too far away from here, it's an unbelievable moment," he said.

Bronny was pretty stoked, too. "I was still in game mode when I hit the shot, so I didn't really acknowledge I while I was playing, but it felt good after," he said.

Fans chanted the younger James' name before he entered the game with about 5 minutes to play.

Wednesday was his first action since Oct. 22, when the two became the first father and son to play together in an NBA game.

He logged two assists plus that first bucket, in a homecoming for both Jameses.

"The chants really got me," Bronny James said. "I was straight-faced, but I felt it and it felt pretty good, especially coming from here."

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LeBron James vs. Cleveland: Top performances against Cavaliers

Anthony Gharib, ESPNOct 30, 2024, 11:26 AM ET

LeBron James returns to familiar territory on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Lakers face the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road.

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A native of Akron, Ohio, James attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in the city, becoming one of the nation's most highly touted prospects. The Cavaliers selected James with the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

James, who spent 11 seasons with the Cavaliers across two separate stints with the team, often shifts into an extra gear when he returns home. Holding a 9-2 record, he's averaging 31.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game on 54% shooting when playing in Cleveland as an opponent.

Last season, James described returning to play at home as "just special."

"Stepping back on this floor is always a pretty cool feeling, looking up there and pretty much being a part of all of the banners in this arena," James said. "And the No. 1 banner, the one that sits in the middle, was that '16 championship, so that's pretty cool."

Here's a look back at James' notable games against the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

Date: March 21, 2022

Stats: 38 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, 58.6% shooting

Results: 131-120 Lakers win

In the middle of a down season in Los Angeles, James dominated during his trip back home.

He scored 17 points in the second quarter en route to a 38-point triple-double, becoming the sixth player in NBA history with at least three triple-doubles against his former team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

It also marked his third triple-double against the Cavaliers, all of which have come on the road. The only other players in NBA history with three triple-doubles against their former team in their building are Domantas Sabonis and Fat Lever. His 38 points are second most in a triple-double against a player's former team.

LeBron's performance also included his former Cavaliers teammate, Kevin Love, being on the end of a memorable highlight. James emphatically slammed over Love near the end of the second quarter. The King then joked about hopefully still being invited to Love's wedding.

Date: Jan. 25, 2021

Stats: 46 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 73.1% shooting

Results: 115-108 Lakers win

James doesn't need extra motivation when he returns to Cleveland. But this time around, it didn't hurt.

Near the end of the third quarter, he had a back-and-forth exchange with a person courtside, whom James said was a member of the Cavaliers' front office.

"I felt he was a little too excited about seeing me miss," he said.

It resulted in a 21-point fourth quarter from James, outscoring Cleveland by himself, for his highest-scoring fourth quarter since 2017. He became the oldest Lakers player to have 40 points since Kobe Bryant's 60-point outing in his final game.

After the game, James playfully quipped: "It's a good thing for him I only come here once."

Date: Nov. 21, 2018

Stats: 32 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 55% shooting

Results: 109-105 Lakers win

LeBron James reacts during a tribute to him from the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 21, 2018. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

Unlike his first trip back to Cleveland, James received a hero's welcome after leaving the franchise a second time.

The Cavaliers showed a video tribute during a first-quarter timeout, leading to a standing and resounding ovation. James acknowledged the crowd, pointing to all four corners of the building, then played a key role in the Lakers victory.

James scored or assisted on 11 straight points in the fourth quarter to erase an eight-point deficit. After the game, he acknowledged the differences in his returns.

"From the time we landed yesterday, it just felt a different way," he said. "I'm a different person. We're all different from eight years ago, both good and bad. But more importantly, this experience has been great."

Date: March 19, 2014

Stats: 43 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 73.7% shooting

Results: 100-96 Miami Heat win

Though James' final appearance in Cleveland as a member of the Heat wasn't as raucous as his first, he still made his mark on the court.

James jumped out of the gates early with 25 first-quarter points on 10-of-11 shooting. It set the tone for an extra-efficient 40-point night on 73.7% shooting, his sixth-highest field goal percentage that season.

He had six points in the last two minutes of the game to clinch a close Miami win. Four months later, he was back with the Cavaliers.

Date: Dec. 2, 2010

Stats: 38 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 60% shooting

Results: 118-90 Miami Heat win

LeBron James stands on the court as fans react to his return to Cleveland in 2010. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

James' first return to Cleveland was nothing short of a spectacle. Fans booed constantly, signs were scattered throughout the crowd and objects were thrown. None of it mattered for LeBron.

He scored 24 of his 38 points in the third quarter, propelling the Heat to a victory in a harsh environment. He also had a game-high plus-minus of plus-26, the third highest of his entire season.

James said that the boos from the crowd were probably the loudest he has ever heard.

"I felt the animosity. I felt the scrutiny. But once the ball was tipped, I'm in my safe haven," he said. "There's nothing that can stop me from trying to be the best I can be."

ESPN Research contributed to this story.

JJ Redick furious after LeBron James shot-clock violation: ‘Shoot the f–king ball’

There's a new sheriff in Los Angeles, and he's not afraid to let the town's biggest gun know it. 

After LeBron James failed to get a shot off and the Lakers incurred a shot-clock violation during their game in Phoenix on Monday, the broadcast cut to an impassioned JJ Redick yelling from the sideline at his superstar to "shoot the f–king ball!" 

The 40-year-old rookie head coach — No. 29 in franchise history — was hired in June 2024 to lead the Lakers and James, 39, in what figures to be the final chapter of his career.

And though coaches who previously manned the King's sideline often appeared afraid to truly coach the 20-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion, Redick, at least thus far in the young season, is harboring no such insecurities.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts during a loss to the Suns on Oct. 28, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con LeBron James reacts during the Lakers' loss to the Suns on Oct. 28, 2024. Getty Images

Through their first three games with Redick at the helm, the Lake Show rattled off three consecutive wins at home against Minnesota, Phoenix and Sacramento. 

Redick's profane explosion, which came in the Lakers' first loss of the season and their first on the road, occurred with about eight minutes remaining in the second quarter.

From the game broadcast, it's not clear whether James was unaware of the dwindling shot clock or if he actively decided against putting up the basketball because he didn't have a clean look and didn't want to hurt his shooting percentage. 

LeBron James (l.) and JJ Redick (r.) USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

James didn't seem handcuffed at any other point in the game, though he only hit 3 of 14 from the floor and 2-for-5 from beyond the arc; James finished with 11 points — the least among Lakers' starters. 

Though Los Angeles was leading 36-34 at the time of the turnover, Phoenix went on to win, 109-105.

Both the Lakers and Suns now sit at 3-1. 

Prior to assuming the head coaching gig in Los Angeles, Redick had a 15-year playing career of his own that included stints with the Magic, Clippers, 76ers, Pelicans, Bucs and Mavericks.

And, the word at the car wash is he's just as dedicated in his role now as he was during his playing days. 

The Lakers will look to get back into the win column when they take on the Cavaliers on Wednesday.