Adin Ross publicly criticized Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on Tuesday for what he described as a lack of loyalty to Drake, following a viral video of James dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” The YouTuber’s comments sparked discussion online about the LeBron James loyalty controversy.
During a live stream, Ross expressed his disappointment after seeing LeBron James seemingly support a song targeting Drake, a close associate of James. A clip of Ross’s tirade was shared by a user on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Adin Ross Condemns LeBron James for Disloyalty to Longtime Friend Drake
Ross conveyed strong feelings about the situation, framing LeBron’s reaction as a betrayal of a friendship spanning over 15 years. He highlighted how closely connected LeBron and Drake have been, with James even appearing in Drake’s music video for “Forever.”
“You know what’s crazy about this chat? As I love LeBron my whole life, it’s like you just see how much of a piece of s**t human he is,” Ross said. “Guys, imagine your best friend over like 15 years—and he’s met your actual children. He’s met his actual children, and you’re rapping along to a song about you being a pedophile. It’s sad.”
—Adin Ross, Streamer
Despite his harsh critique of LeBron, Ross made clear that his frustration did not extend to LeBron’s son, Bronny James, acknowledging respect and support for the younger player.
“If you want my opinion, it’s just weird behavior. It’s unloyalty. And loyalty is everything in this world,” Ross explained. “That’s so separate from Bronny. It’s a completely separate topic. Nothing but love and respect for Bronny.”
—Adin Ross, Streamer
Background on the Relationship Between LeBron James and Drake
The longstanding connection between LeBron James and Drake is well documented, with the two often spotted together at events over the years. Their close friendship has been a topic of public interest, especially in the realm of sports and entertainment.
Adin Ross’s Memorable Fanatics Fest Experience Highlighting LeBron James
Earlier in June at Fanatics Fest in New York City, Adin Ross experienced a thrilling moment unrelated to the controversy, pulling a unique, one-of-a-kind LeBron James trading card during a live stream. The reveal energized both Ross and his audience, underscoring his ongoing engagement with basketball culture beyond the recent dispute.
Fanatics Collect shared the clip on their X account, excited by the rare find.
“Adin Ross just pulled a MASSIVE LeBron 1/1 card live from Fanatics Fest NYC,” the post read.
—Fanatics Collect
LeBron James was also present at the event, where he hosted an episode of The Shop, joined by co-hosts Paul Rivera and Maverick Carter, with guests including Tom Brady, Victor Wembanyama, and streamer Kai Cenat.
Implications of the Dispute on Loyalty and Public Perception
The controversy draws attention to how loyalty is perceived in high-profile friendships, especially in the public eye where actions often carry amplified meaning. For LeBron James, whose relationship with Drake has been widely celebrated, this moment challenges expectations of camaraderie.
How this will affect LeBron’s public image or his affiliations with Drake remains uncertain, but it adds a complex chapter to the ongoing interaction between sports figures and entertainers. Meanwhile, Ross’s continued support of Bronny James emphasizes the personal distinctions fans make within broader controversies.