On a snowy night in Chicago, LeBron James got a reception that raised more than a few eyebrows-especially from longtime Michael Jordan loyalists. The Lakers were in town to face the Bulls, and despite the home-court setting at the United Center, the crowd was noticeably pro-LeBron. That didn’t sit well with Skip Bayless, who took to social media to call out Bulls fans for what he saw as a break in basketball tradition.
Bayless, never shy about his allegiance to Michael Jordan, posted on X (formerly Twitter):
**"BLASPHEMOUS: Bulls crowd is cheering LeBron buckets more loudly than any Bulls score.
Yes, quite a few Laker fans there. But come on, Bulls fans, not in The House That HE Built."
**
It’s not uncommon for Lakers fans to travel well, and LeBron’s star power tends to draw admiration even in opposing arenas. But this wasn’t just a smattering of applause-this was a full-throated ovation from a crowd that, historically, has stood firmly behind Jordan’s legacy. For Bayless and others who still view Chicago as Jordan’s kingdom, the cheers felt like a betrayal.
And to be fair, LeBron gave them something to cheer about.
At 41, James continues to defy the aging curve, playing with the kind of control and efficiency that’s made his career nothing short of legendary. He’s shaken off an early-season sciatica issue and found his groove again, especially after Austin Reaves went down with a calf strain on Christmas. Since then, LeBron has stepped up, both as a scorer and facilitator.
Against the Bulls, he dropped 24 points, grabbed five boards, and dished out three assists in a 129-118 Lakers win. Those numbers are right in line with his season averages: 22.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Not bad for a guy in year 21.
Of course, LeBron wasn’t the only one lighting up the scoreboard. Luka Dončić put on a show of his own, finishing with 46 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists.
But for the Lakers, the win was another key step in a season that’s starting to gain traction. They’re now 28-17 and sitting fifth in the Western Conference, with an eight-game road trip continuing on Wednesday in Cleveland.
As for the Bulls, the atmosphere in the arena might’ve been more electric for the visiting team, but the home squad hasn’t exactly given fans much to rally around. Chicago sits at 23-23, clinging to the No. 9 spot in the East-firmly in play-in territory. It’s been an up-and-down campaign, and the inconsistency has clearly taken a toll on fan enthusiasm.
Still, for Bulls fans to cheer LeBron in that building? That’s a moment that’s going to stick with some folks-especially those who still see the United Center as sacred ground built on MJ’s legacy.
Before tip-off, LeBron also made headlines off the court with an update on his podcast, Mind the Game. Steve Nash, his usual co-host, is currently overseas covering NBA games, so LeBron announced a special guest stepping in: Tyrese Haliburton.
“‘Mind the Game’ is back,” James said. “*Steve Nash is in Europe covering a bunch of NBA games.
We can't get a hold of him. We can't find him, so we have a substitute teacher that we decided to bring on: Tyrese Haliburton.
*”
Haliburton, who’s been sidelined this season with a torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, has stayed visible during his recovery-frequently popping up at events like WWE’s SummerSlam. His appearance on the podcast should give fans an inside look at his mindset during rehab and what he’s seeing from the league while off the court.
So while the Bulls may be struggling to find their identity this season, LeBron continues to command the spotlight-on the hardwood and behind the mic. And whether you think the cheers in Chicago were respectful admiration or basketball blasphemy, one thing’s for sure: even in the House That MJ Built, The King still draws a crowd.