SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 05: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench against the Golden State Warriors in the first half of a preseason NBA game at Chase Center on October 05, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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Gabe Smallson

By Gabe Smallson

Contributing Sports Writer

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Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James won't be on the court on Tuesday evening as his team opens up the regular season against the Golden State Warriors. But despite his sciatica recovery, he has been making plenty of headlines.

Earlier this month, James teased "The Second Decision" in what many believed could have been an announcement with serious implications for his future. Back in 2010, he had "The Decision" to announce leaving his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers to take his talents to the Miami Heat on live television.

The second decision ended up simply being an announcement of James' partnership with the notorious cognac brand, Hennessy.

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NBA veteran Lou Williams called out The King on FanDuel TV's Run It Back, saying that the mixing of alcohol and knowing that younger fans are watching wasn't a good look for James.

“It’s the dad and the coach in me, right? When you flirt with ‘The Decision 2.0,’ the first time it was about the Boys & Girls Club. But when you do it again, you involve the kids,” Williams said.

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When James made the original 'decision,' it was filmed and broadcast at the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club, in addition to a more than $2 million donation that James made to the charity.

Williams did acknowledge that, given James is one of the most recognizable figures on the planet (and that there was already speculation about his retirement), he understood the financial obligation to uphold with Hennessy, simply as a partner working with a brand.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench against the Golden State Warriors in the first half of a preseason NBA game at Chase Center on October 05, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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"The dad and the coach in me," Williams concluded, "I didn't love it, but business is business and sponsors are sponsors."

As the NBA season is set to begin and perhaps the secondary decision can be put in the rearview mirror, James will continue to recover from his sciatica injury and will work to get back onto the court.

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