LeBron James showed up at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend ready to wave the flag and give the classic starting command. But he probably didn’t expect to get roasted on social media by Pascal Siakam in the same breath.
Siakam, the Indiana Pacers forward and three-time All-Star, posted a video on X with the caption “Shoutout LeBron, one time.” In the clip, he told James to “enjoy it while it lasts, man,” adding, “My last one right there, boy, we ain’t coming back, respectfully.” The tone was playful but pointed — a departure from the usual friendly exchanges between NBA peers.
LeBron, who attended the race for the second consecutive year after bringing Tom Brady in 2023, didn’t respond publicly. But the moment quickly became a talking point among basketball fans online, with many interpreting Siakam’s message as a lighthearted jab at James’ longevity — or, depending on who you ask, a subtle challenge.
Siakam’s jab came on the same day LeBron waved the French flag and said the famous race-start phrase, “Pilotes, demarrez vos moteurs,” at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe. It’s a tradition that dates back a century — Le Mans started in 1923 and remains the world’s oldest active endurance race. The No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid, driven by Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway, and Nyck de Vries, took the checkered flag this time around.
For Siakam, the moment was part of a broader motorsport streak. He drove the pace car at the Brickyard 400 last year and served as Grand Marshal for this year’s Indianapolis 500. He also finished the NBA season with averages of 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, shooting 48.4% from the field. He was named an All-Star for the 2025 game but did not play due to personal reasons.
LeBron, meanwhile, just wrapped his 23rd NBA season — one that ended in a sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals. Despite persistent retirement rumors, there has been no confirmation from James or the Lakers of any plans to step away. At 40, he remains under contract with Los Angeles for the 2026-27 season.
What stood out about Siakam’s post wasn’t just the timing — it was the tone. Instead of the typical deference afforded to James by younger stars, Siakam chose to needle the future Hall of Famer in front of a global audience. Whether it’s genuine rivalry, locker-room humor, or something in between, the moment gave fans a rare glimpse of an NBA peer treating LeBron less like an icon and more like an equal.
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