LeBron James recently made headlines during his 15th tour of China as a prominent Nike athlete, showcasing his latest shoes and apparel to a massive audience in the world's second-largest economy.

However, things took a turn when a report suggested that James authored an essay for People's Daily, a state-controlled newspaper, leading to backlash both in Hong Kong and the United States.

Sources close to James clarified that while his name appeared on the article, he did not write or submit any essay to the publication. Instead, he participated in group interviews with reporters during his stops in Shanghai and Chengdu, and his quotes were later adapted for the article.

In fact, the newspaper referred to him as the "author" but also acknowledged that the piece was edited by a People's Daily reporter. One of James' famous quotes from the article stated, "Basketball is not only a sport—it is a bridge that connects us," highlighting his vision for fostering connections through the game.

During this tour, he reminisced about his encounter with Chinese basketball player Niu Ziwei, whom he first met in 2012. James expressed his honor and responsibility to promote sports exchanges, emphasizing the impact basketball can have on inspiring future generations.

This trip marked James' first visit to China since the 2019 controversy surrounding Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey, which strained the NBA's relationship with the Chinese government after he expressed support for Hong Kong protests.

The fallout from the incident was significant; NBA games were barred from Chinese television for several years, costing the league an estimated "hundreds of millions of dollars," according to commissioner Adam Silver.

As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for a new season, James will be entering his 23rd year in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns and Nets are scheduled to play exhibition games in China on October 10 and 12, marking the return of NBA games after a lengthy hiatus.

Reflecting on his experiences in China, James remarked, "The basketball atmosphere here has always amazed me. Each time I come, my family and I receive such a warm welcome. The kindness of my Chinese friends leaves me touched." He concluded by asserting his commitment to give his all in every game as a gesture of gratitude for the support he's received.