Pop Culture

'South Park' Mocks LeBron James Following His China Comments

Eric Cartman parrots James exactly in a new episode.

lebron james
Image via Getty
Getty

South Park's rapid-fire production schedule means that any notable gaffe in the wider culture triggers a countdown clock until it comes up in the conversation of foul-mouthed grade schoolers. LeBron James is not immune, as Trey Parker and Matt Stone echoed LeBron's pro-China language in the words of the routinely terrible Eric Cartman.

Cartman was protesting the school's decision to move to plant-based foods in the cafeteria, when he parroted a since-deleted tweet James sent out that was seemingly against the protestors in Hong Kong.

“We all talk about freedom of speech,” LeBron and Cartman said. “Yes, we do have freedom of speech, but at times there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you are not thinking about others and only thinking about yourself.”

James' tweet was in response to the Houston Rockets' Daryl Morey unabashedly supporting the protests in Hong Kong, a move that landed the NBA in hot water with China. After his tweet drew criticism, James attempted to clarify that he was feeling defensive after a tough week for the NBA.

"My team and this league just went through a difficult week," James wrote. "I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it."

South Park has frequently prodded China this season, taking on the practice of editing movies to please Chinese censors in an earlier episode. The creators then issued a faux apology, mocking both China and the NBA.

“Like the NBA, we welcome Chinese censors into our homes and into our hearts," they said. "We too love money more than freedom and democracy.”

Related Stories

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Sports

LeBron James Draws Criticism for China Comments

James has been widely criticized for publicly condemning the Rockets GM.

Xavier Hamilton2478 days ago
`houston rockets
Sports

Chinese Basketball Association Ends Cooperation With Houston Rockets After Daryl Morey's Tweet (UPDATE)

The Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey showed support for Hong Kong protestors.

tara mahadevan2486 days ago
lebron china
Sports

LeBron James Addresses Daryl Morey's Hong Kong Comment: 'He Wasn't Educated on the Situation'

"I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand and he spoke," James said.

Abel Shifferaw2478 days ago

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App