Kareem rips LeBron over ‘childish’ celebration: ‘GOATs don’t dance’

Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has taken LeBron James to task over a move that saw him fined $15,000, declaring: “GOATS don’t dance.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was no fan of LeBron James’ flamboyant celebration last week when the NBA superstar helped the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers.

It was one of James’ last games before he was put into the NBA’s health and safety protocols because of a positive coronavirus test. James would later have subsequent negative tests that allowed him to return to the team.

When James hit the shot against the Pacers, he imitated Sam Cassell’s “big balls” dance. Abdul-Jabbar said someone like James shouldn’t be doing those kinds of celebrations.

“For me, winning is enough. Why do you need to do a stupid, childish dance and disrespect the other team on the court? It doesn’t make sense. GOATs don’t dance,” the Basketball Hall of Famer said in a SubStack commentary video on Wednesday.

Former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar criticised LeBron James’ antics that landed him a $15,000 fine. Picture: Getty

James earned a $15,000 fine.

The Lakers have struggled this season with a group of veteran players who still have to get used to each other’s style of play. It also didn’t help that James missed a few games due to injury.

Los Angeles is 12-12 and sitting in the No. 6 slot in the Western Conference just ahead of the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers.

The Lakers are 4-6 in their last 10 games.