LeBron James and Tom Hanks Social Media Rivalry Heats Up as NBA Finals Approach

In the world of professional basketball, rivalries are a staple of the sport. From the legendary feud between Michael Jordan and Larry Bird to the current battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, fans are always on the edge of their seats waiting for the next big moment. But in 2025, a new rivalry has emerged in the form of a social media exchange between Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and actor/director Tom Hanks. The feud began when a clip of James arriving at the Lakers' home arena of Crypto.com Arena circulated online. The 18-time All-Star was seen walking down a corridor dressed all in black, referencing the Celtics doing the same before last year's Game 7 playoff matchup. Hanks, who is a superfan of the Celtics, took notice and quipped, "Good thing he brought his duffel for the flight to Boston." The comment was seen as a prediction that the Celtics would win Game 7 and send the series back to TD Garden for a decisive Game 8. However, six hours later, the Lakers won 123-110 and eliminated Boston from the NBA playoffs. James responded to Hanks' comment by saying, "Nah, was to pack y'all up," while celebrating Los Angeles' victory. The social media exchange continued with Hanks wishing James and the Lakers well in their NBA Finals matchup with the Golden State Warriors, saying "Congrats. All the best in GS." The feud has sparked speculation about who will be James' next opponent in the NBA Finals. Will he take on legendary NBA commentator Marv Albert? Will he engage in a social media battle with "The Terminal" star Tom Hanks? Or will he snipe back and forth with actor Chris Hemsworth? The anticipation is high as the NBA Finals begin on Thursday. In the culture of 2025, this feud has become a modern-day rivalry that fans are eagerly awaiting to see play out. While it may not have the same enduring memory as the feud between Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, it is certainly a fun and entertaining addition to the world of professional basketball. As James and Hanks continue to trade barbs on social media, fans can only hope that this rivalry will continue to heat up and provide them with more moments to remember.