Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas ranted Friday about the level of ‘professionalism’ in the NBA, saying it ‘has diminished so much.’
The Detroit Pistons legend delivered his remarks on NBA TV prior to the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets game. The source of his ire was LeBron James, who was shown on the broadcast warming up without a shirt on.
‘I just totally, 100% object to this,’ Thomas said as they watched James put shots up. ‘If I was the GM or coach, I would never let one of my players walk out on the floor looking like this. I mean, we are professional, NBA league. We ain’t Summer League. We ain’t the YMCA.’
‘… I just think the professionalism in our NBA league has diminished so much,’ Thomas continued. ‘…. Look, I like LeBron, I’m a fan of his, so forth and so on, but to walk out on the floor before a game, with no shirt on, and shoot, I mean, come on, man? Where we at? What we doing? Where we at?’
It wasn’t entirely clear when the footage was captured, but there were no fans in the stands behind James.
Still, Thomas said he would fine James if he was the NBA commissioner.
‘… Adam Silver, if you want to fine somebody, fine that. Put a fine on that,’ Thomas said.
James played just 22 minutes against the Rockets on Friday night before he exited after appearing to aggravate a groin injury. But he remained in the bench area and coach JJ Redick said afterwards that James was ‘fine.’
The Lakers had no trouble with the Rockets, winning 140-109 to lock up the No. 3 seed in the West. Luka Doncic had 39 points.
This story was updated with new information.