LeBron James, one of the biggest names in basketball and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has decided to step away from social media for now. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar, who has an enormous following—159 million on Instagram and 52.9 million on X (formerly known as Twitter)—shared the news on Wednesday through both platforms.

The announcement began with LeBron reposting a message originally shared by Rich Kleiman, longtime manager of NBA star Kevin Durant. Kleiman’s post from October 24 criticized how sports coverage often focuses on negativity and clickbait instead of bringing people together, much like sports themselves do. LeBron shared this sentiment, captioning it on Instagram with, “Damn shame what it’s come to,” and simply adding “AMEN!!” on X.

This decision comes at a time when LeBron himself has been a target of online criticism. Just a day before stepping back from social media, he addressed accusations from people doubting his honesty when he said he had watched Dalton Knecht play in college before the Lakers drafted him. Frustrated by the constant negativity, LeBron signed off with a clear message: “And with that said I’ll holla at y’all! Getting off social media for the time being. Y’all take care.” He wrapped it up with emojis symbolizing a goodbye and a crown, referencing his iconic nickname, “King James.”

At 39 years old and turning 40 next month, LeBron remains one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. He’s a four-time NBA champion, a three-time Olympic gold medalist (most recently in Paris earlier this year), and currently the league’s oldest active player. Despite his age, he’s still performing at an elite level. His team, the Los Angeles Lakers, is thriving with a 10-4 record and a six-game winning streak. They’re set to face the Orlando Magic at home on Thursday.

LeBron’s decision to take a break from social media comes as he continues to lead his team both on and off the court, showing that even global icons sometimes need space to focus on what truly matters.