NBA: LeBron James is one of the most popular sports figures in the world and fans like to get close to him. In the Los Angeles Lakers matchup against the OKC Thunder, a fan bypassed security and made his way to the basketball court to get near the four-time NBA champion.A video surfaced on social media platforms, where James had just finished putting on his warmup shirt when a fan, wearing a bonnet and a long-sleeved sweater, came near him and tried to hug him.Lebron James pushes fan off for suddenly running up on him trying to hug and talk courtside at the LA Lakers vs OKC Thunders NBA game. The fan was kicked out the game.https://t.co/c4tBKlRkF4 pic.twitter.com/tQgERGjz90— Glock Switch GTA (@GlockSwitchGTA) January 16, 2024As soon as the fan touched James on the shoulder, the 39-year-old basketball player instinctively moved him away, pushing the fan aside. Security promptly intervened and escorted the fan out of the venue.Lankers break losing streakLater that night, the Lakers defeated the Thunder 112-105, avoiding a three-game losing skid. LeBron James finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while making 60% of his 20 shots.A fan from the Thunder-Lakers game runs up to Lebron #Lakers pic.twitter.com/1gk0wwgXMF— FFraire_ (@Fernadad1) January 16, 2024James got help from Anthony Davis who tallied a double-double of 27 points and 15 rebounds. Austin Reaves and DAngelo Russell scored 29 points combined, while Rui Hachimura came off the bench with a dozen points.This was not the first time that a fan tried to hug LeBron James. Earlier in March 2013, while he was playing for the Miami Heat, a fan named James Blair ran onto the court wearing a t-shirt with the words We Miss You, LeBron on the back.During that moment, several security personnel rushed onto the floor to remove Blair. However, James approached Blair himself and offered a high-five and a hug.LeBron James short stint with the CavaliersThe following year, LeBron James eventually returned to the Cavaliers for the 2014-15 season, leading the franchise to its first-ever NBA title in the following season.After an additional four seasons with the Cavs, James continued his career trajectory and joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2018-19 season. He remained with the team for six seasons.
