Prominent NBA agent Rich Paul has drawn significant criticism after comparing his star client, LeBron James, to boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
The controversial remarks were made during Monday's broadcast of "Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul," where Paul praised James' career trajectory.
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Paul highlighted James' return to Cleveland and the 2016 NBA championship as a milestone that made him "the people's champ, like Muhammad Ali was."
Co-host Max Kellerman agreed, noting James did not shy away from social issues.
The comparison immediately sparked intense backlash on social media, particularly on X.
Critics emphasized that Ali faced imprisonment and career exile for opposing the Vietnam War, making the comparison to an NBA player inappropriate.
"LeBron has done a lot of great things...
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but he has NO business being compared to Muhammad Ali when you look at what Ali sacrificed," sportscaster Chris Williamson wrote.
"One stood up against war. Went to jail for it.
One supports China and will not take a pay cut," one user reacted.
"Comparing Ali to LeBron is disrespectful," another declared.
Even a James supporter conceded: "Bron my GOAT, but he’s not in the same universe as Ali."
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The incident follows Paul's previous claim that Scottie Pippen was more impactful than Michael Jordan on the Bulls' championship teams.
