Lakers' LeBron James Says He Stands by Glenn Consor Tweet After Broadcaster's Apology

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJanuary 6, 2022

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James said he stands by his tweet criticizing Washington Wizards analyst Glenn Consor for his remarks on Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr.:

Kyle Goon @kylegoon
LeBron on the KPJ announcer controversy: "I stand by my tweet and I stand by everything I said." He notes like players get scouting reports, media members gets notes. "I believe they do their due diligence as well." LeBron heard the call live, waited until this AM to comment.

Porter hit a game-winning three-pointer with nine-tenths of a second left to lead the Rockets to a 114-111 road victory over the Wizards on Wednesday.

That prompted Consor to say that Porter Jr., "like his dad, pulled that trigger at the right time" as the NBC Sports Washington broadcast showed the replay.

Braddeaux @BraddeauxNBA
“Kevin Porter Jr., like his dad, pulled that trigger right at the right time” I can’t believe this was actually said on the Wizards broadcast.. Completely inexcusable. <a href="https://t.co/bZcWEVqPOP">pic.twitter.com/bZcWEVqPOP</a>

Porter's father, Bryan Kevin Porter Sr., went to prison for four-and-a-half years for first-degree manslaughter in 1993, per Analis Bailey and Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. He was shot and killed in 2004:

Porter Jr.’s father, Bryan Kevin Porter Sr. pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in a shooting death of a 14-year-old girl in 1993. He was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison. Porter Sr. died in 2004 after being shot in a South Seattle bar. The Rocket’s star was 4 years old when his father was killed.

Consor's remarks prompted James to issue this tweet Thursday.

LeBron James @KingJames
Oh he thought this was cool huh!!?? Nah we ain’t going for this! Sorry but this ain’t going to fly! How insensitive can you be to say something like this. Beat it man! I pray for you but there’s no place in our beautiful game for you! <a href="https://t.co/UgVOBUOsPK">https://t.co/UgVOBUOsPK</a>

Consor explained his side of the story later in the morning, saying he believed Porter was the son of former Washington guard Kevin Porter.

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Glenn Consor @glennconsor
I want to sincerely apologize to Kevin Porter Jr and clarify last night’s call. <a href="https://t.co/UweFhFnkbt">pic.twitter.com/UweFhFnkbt</a>

Porter played in the NBA for 11 seasons (1972-1981 and 1982-1983), with six of them occurring with the Washington Wizards franchise. He led the NBA in assists on four occasions.

As of Thursday evening, neither the Wizards nor NBC Sports Washington had issued a statement regarding Consor's comments.