LeBron James has become a target of social media criticism after two uncharacteristic mistakes near the basket during the Philadelphia 76ers’ preseason clash with the Boston Celtics on Friday.

The veteran’s brief struggles quickly attracted attention online, with some fans questioning whether Father Time is beginning to catch up with the four-time NBA champion.

The first incident occurred midway through the second quarter when James collected a defensive rebound and charged toward the opposite basket. With plenty of space ahead of him, the 41-year-old appeared to have a straightforward opportunity to score.

However, he lost control of the ball while gathering himself for a layup, resulting in an unexpected turnover.

Things got worse just two possessions later. James failed to handle a pass from Tyrese Maxey underneath the basket, giving the ball away again in a sequence that left fans questioning what they had witnessed.

The back-to-back errors sparked a wave of reactions across social media. Some users suggested James’ trademark explosiveness had diminished, while others used the opportunity to compare him unfavorably with his son, Bronny James.

“Without his explosiveness Bron has become bronny,” wrote one fan.

“LeBron James looks like he’s 51, not 41! This is going to be a disaster!,” wrote another.

LeBron James’ numbers offer some perspective after costly mistakes

Despite the frustrating moments, James’ overall performance was more respectable than the online backlash might suggest. 

Philadelphia eventually lost 125-120 to Boston in overtime, but James contributed eight points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 24 minutes and 42 seconds of action.

His numbers demonstrated that he could still contribute through playmaking and rebounding, even when his finishing around the rim wasn't particularly impressive. 

While the two turnovers provided ammunition for his critics, isolated mistakes don't necessarily indicate a broader decline in ability.

The discussion comes as James prepares for another NBA season at 41, an age when sustaining the physical demands of professional basketball presents considerable challenges.

His career has been defined by remarkable longevity, making even relatively minor errors a talking point among supporters and detractors alike.

Away from the court, James has also attracted attention for his reported helicopter commute between New York and Philadelphia. 

According to reports, he has access to Fanatics aviation services through an endorsement arrangement, allowing him to reduce a journey that can take approximately two hours by road to around 40 minutes.

When asked about traveling to work by helicopter, James played down the unusual arrangement, explaining that he'd done it before and viewed it as simply another transportation option.

“I’ve done it before,” James said on Friday. “Just another way of transportation, that’s all.”

Philadelphia is scheduled to open its regular season against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. Given competitive games are right around the corner, James will have an opportunity to shift the conversation back toward his basketball performance.