In El Segundo, California, LeBron James` cryptic social media post on Monday, dubbed his “Second Decision,” did not trigger any concern among the Los Angeles Lakers organization that their superstar was hinting at retirement.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed the team`s understanding, stating after Tuesday`s practice, “We all knew it was an ad, right?”
He then lightheartedly chided the assembled reporters, remarking, “You guys are idiots.”
While Lakers players and coaching staff were unfazed by James` X (formerly Twitter) post teasing “the decision of all decisions,” which was set to appear the following day, a segment of the general public was misled until James unveiled the post`s true intent on Tuesday.
The post was revealed to be an advertisement for Hennessy cognac. In the ad, James was seen in an interview, sporting a red and white checkered shirt, an intentional nod to his 2010 ESPN television special where he famously declared his move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat in South Beach.
Humorously, in the commercial, James announced his intention to “take his talents to Hennessy VSOP.”
Redick, along with teammates Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, all reported receiving numerous text messages following James` initial post.
Redick clarified that most of those who messaged him likely already suspected it was an advertisement, adding, “So it wasn`t… nobody was freaking out.”
Hachimura mentioned he directly messaged James for clarification, to which James replied with an emoji, though Hachimura declined to disclose which one.
Commenting on James` penchant for such theatrics, Hachimura remarked, “He loves to do that type of stuff. Surprises, right?”
Reaves also confirmed receiving phone calls inquiring about James` true intentions.
“People were thinking that he was retiring,” Reaves stated. “I`m glad he`s not. That`s all I can say.”
When asked if he had sampled the Hennessy product featured by James, Reaves responded that he does not consume alcohol.
He then quipped, “If I start, I guess it`ll be that.”
