Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is no stranger to critics, but this time, the target wasn’t him—it was his wife, Savannah James. Ahead of the Lakers’ Game 1 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, rapper Kevin Gates made headlines after a controversial video surfaced, in which he took aim at Savannah in a disrespectful rant.
In the viral clip, Gates claimed he wouldn’t want to switch lives with LeBron, not because of basketball or fame, but because of his wife. He pointed to a clip from a 2023 Lakers game, where Savannah and LeBron shared their signature handshake courtside. Gates bizarrely critiqued Savannah’s body language, saying he didn’t like the way she looked at her husband. Instead, he claimed he preferred how “white women” looked at LeBron, suggesting they showed more admiration.
“I don’t like the way Savannah look at LeBron,” Gates said. “I like the way them white women look at LeBron. Like, soon as he walk out there, they be geeked out.”
Gates’ comments quickly sparked backlash online, with many fans and public figures jumping in to defend Savannah, who’s been with LeBron since high school and is widely respected for her grace and loyalty. Critics called out Gates for not only disrespecting a Black woman but also for pushing a racially insensitive and misogynistic narrative.
LeBron James hits back at Gates, defends his wife after the rapper’s criticism
LeBron, known for fiercely defending his family, didn’t stay silent. Much like his earlier response to Stephen A. Smith’s remarks about his son Bronny, LeBron clapped back—this time through a subtle, yet powerful Instagram post. He shared a candid photo of himself and Savannah after the Lakers’ Game 1 loss to the Timberwolves, captioned:
“‘Kings don’t concern themselves with the opinions of peasants.’ Where to next Queen?!?! Let’s get it! 👸🏾🖤♾️”
With that one post, LeBron made it clear: when it comes to his wife and family, he draws the line—celebrity or not.
The message was loud and clear: the King will protect his Queen at all costs. Whether it’s a sports analyst or a chart-topping rapper, no one gets a pass when disrespect crosses into family territory.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through [email protected]. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
