Patrick Mahomes drops one-word reaction to LeBron James' clutch performance as Pat McAfee sparks flopping debate

Being at the top of your game means people are always watching—and criticizing. Few athletes know this better than Patrick Mahomes and LeBron James. As two of the best in their respective sports, but that doesn’t stop fans from calling them out for flopping. Whether it’s Mahomes drawing a roughing the passer call or LeBron making the most of minimal contact. But is it really flopping, or just part of the strategy that comes with being an elite athlete?

During a recent episode of 'The Pat McAfee Show', host Pat McAfee didn’t hold back, directly addressing the topic with LeBron James. “Let’s talk about you flopping all over the place. That’s why people get mad,” McAfee said. Fans had been pushing for this moment, flooding his social media with requests to ask James why he flops so much.
LeBron James didn’t shy away. Laughing it off, he responded, “I wish! I wish! Because over the last five or six years, while everyone says I flop, I’m actually in the bottom half of free throw attempts per game.”
Statistically, he has a point. While he averages around 5-6 free throws per game, stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo get to the line nearly twice as often. The numbers don’t entirely support the narrative that LeBron benefits from flopping.
McAfee also brought up how Mahomes is criticized for drawing roughing the passer calls. “Now why do you do that? Patrick Mahomes does the same thing. He’s the greatest of all time—for us—in a conversation of the greatest of all time. The rules say if you hit him, he gets 15. Is that the same thing for you?”

LeBron acknowledged the comparison but pointed out how officiating in the NBA differs from the NFL. Pat also referenced a moment from The Last Dance when a referee apologized to Michael Jordan for missing a call. “Oh yeah, I saw that,” LeBron said, agreeing that stars sometimes get favorable treatment—but not always.
The debate about flopping may never be settled, but one thing is clear LeBron James still delivers in the clutch. On Wednesday night, March 26, the Los Angeles Lakers trailing 119-118 against the Indiana Pacers, James found himself in the right place at the right time.
After Luka Doncic missed a potential game-winning shot with just seven seconds left, LeBron tipped in the rebound with only 0.2 seconds remaining, securing a dramatic 120-119 win for the Lakers. It wasn’t his best game—he struggled early, going 0-for-5 in the first half and finishing just 3-for-11 from the field—but when it mattered most, he stepped up.
His game-winner made history. At 40 years and 89 days old, LeBron became the oldest player to hit a buzzer-beater in NBA history. He also tied Kobe Bryant and Joe Johnson for the second-most game-winning buzzer-beaters in regular-season history, trailing only Michael Jordan.
The moment didn’t go unnoticed by Mahomes. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback took to X to post a simple crown emoji, showing his admiration for LeBron’s clutch performance. The gesture spoke volumes—one GOAT recognizing another.

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The win was a much-needed boost for the Lakers, who had lost three straight games. Sitting at 44-28, they’re currently tied for fourth in the Western Conference and are within striking distance of the No. 2 seed, trailing the Houston Rockets by four games with just 10 left to play. With LeBron still delivering in big moments, their playoff push is far from over. Whether flopping is part of his game or just an overblown narrative, one thing remains certain—when the pressure is on, he finds a way to win.