LeBron James is activating his ‘Zero Dark Thirty-23’ mode earlier than expected this season, and he wants everyone to know it.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that he would be stepping away from social media. James made the announcement by sharing a post from sports industry figure Rich Kleiman, who is well-known as Kevin Durant’s agent.
Kleiman’s post expressed frustration over the constant barrage of “negative takes” from segments of the national sports media. James then added his own message, making it clear that he was ready to log off for a while.
“And with that said, I’ll holla at y’all!” James wrote. “Getting off social media for the time being. Y’all take care.”
The timing of James’ decision is notable, as it comes well before his typical social media hiatus. With nearly 53 million followers on X and an astounding 159 million followers on Instagram, James is one of the most prominent figures online, using his platforms not only to share glimpses of his personal life but also to voice his opinions on social issues, support his teammates, and engage with fans.
In recent years, James has often chosen to go dark on social media during the NBA playoffs, dubbing it his ‘Zero Dark Thirty-23’ mode—a way to focus entirely on his pursuit of a championship without the distractions of online chatter.
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This season, however, James seems to be taking that approach early, as the noise from critics appears to have become more than he wants to deal with right now.
The Lakers have gotten off to a strong start at 10-4, good for third place in the Western Conference, and James has been instrumental in that success.
The four-time NBA champion is averaging 23.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per game in his 22nd NBA season, proving that even at nearly 40 years old, he remains a dominant force on the court.
As he prepares to celebrate his 40th birthday next month, James may be more focused than ever on tuning out negativity and zeroing in on leading the Lakers through the season.
The decision to leave social media for the time being suggests that he is looking to protect his mental space and maintain the discipline and focus that have been the hallmark of his career longevity.
LeBron’s ‘Zero Dark Thirty-23’ mode is more than just a catchy name—it’s a commitment to himself, his team, and the game he loves.
While fans might miss his posts for a while, they can rest assured that James is putting in the work to continue pushing the Lakers toward championship contention.
