Lakers News: LeBron James Under Fire For COVID-19 Vaccine Comments

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is under fire for his comments about the COVID-19 vaccine during Lakers media day.

"We're talking about people's bodies. We're not talking about something political or racism or police brutality, things of that nature," James said.

"I don't feel like for me personally that I should get involved in what other people should do for their bodies or their livelihoods."

James also announced that he had gotten the vaccine in attempts to protect everyone around him.

“I know I was very (skeptical) about it all. But after doing my research and things of that nature, I felt like it was best suited for not only me, but for my friends. That’s why I decided to do it,” said the four-time NBA champion.

Mark Medina of USA Today both praised and criticized the 17-time NBA All-Star for his comments.

“James deserves praise for admitting his skepticism and becoming an instrumental part of the Lakers planning to become fully vaccinated by the beginning of the regular season in three weeks,” wrote Medina.

“James also deserves criticism because he passed up on an opportunity to make an impact, just as he has done in recent years.”

The NBA has been struggling to get their best players to get the vaccine against COVID-19, despite a reported 90 percent of players taking the jab.

Bradley Beal joined the list of NBA players who have pushed back against the vaccine--a list that includes players like Kyrie Irving, Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Isaac.

Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also put out a heated statement, saying that athletes against the vaccine “are failing to live up to the responsibilities that come with (their) celebrity (status).”

Medina echoes Abdul-Jabbar’s sentiments.

“James has always viewed himself as more than an athlete, one can’t help but believe he could have made a bigger difference had he refused to stick to sports,” he wrote.

“Even if it sounded encouraging [that] James talked more openly at media day about why he took the vaccine, the Lakers' star still disappointingly passed on pleading for others to take the shot.”