Dave Portnoy accuses 76ers’ LeBron James of setting a poor example with mid-game wine sip

Dave Portnoy accuses 76ers’ LeBron James of setting a poor example with mid-game wine sip appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

LeBron James is approaching the age of 42 and is enjoying every single second he has left on an NBA court. On Monday night, in the third quarter of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ 126-107 victory over the Chicago Bulls, he continued his quirky era by taking a sip of wine from a fan’s cup in the middle of the game after he ran all the way to the baseline on a botched possession.

This was a lighthearted moment that drew some laughter at Xfinity Mobile Arena, as it is becoming very evident that James is playing loose and carefree and does not care that much at all anymore about what other people think. However, this wine-sipping “incident”, so to speak, has become a reason for some, including Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy, to dish out some criticism the 76ers star’s way.

Portnoy, in a rant on his X account, accused James of setting a poor example for children after he consumed alcohol in the middle of an NBA game.

Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

“If anybody else did this they’d be checked into AA but because it’s Bron Bron Sportcenter will do an hour special on it. Who cares the example it sets for kids that you need to be drunk to play sports?” Portnoy wrote.

If anybody else did this they’d be checked into AA but because it’s Bron Bron Sportcenter will do an hour special on it. Who cares the example it sets for kids that you need to be drunk to play sports? pic.twitter.com/gKhF7SqyIa

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) November 3, 2026

Drinking while on the job is a frowned-upon practice in workplaces, so it’s a bit understandable as to where Portnoy is coming from. If a regular employee drank while on the job in a corporate setting, he might have been on the unemployment line the next morning.

Dave Portnoy accuses 76ers’ LeBron James

However, the NBA isn’t exactly a regular job, and no one could get drunk from a single sip of an alcoholic beverage. Portnoy is being a bit overdramatic by insinuating that the 76ers star could get anywhere close to being inebriated after taking that little amount of wine.

This just proves that James, no matter what he does, is always going to be one of, if not outright the most divisive superstar of his generation.

Related: 76ers’ Joel Embiid opens up about playing through plantar fasciitis

Related: 76ers’ LeBron James delivers wine review after stealing a sip from a fan midgame vs. Bulls