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Steven Adams Pays Tribute to LeBron James' Viral Pretend-Injury Meme in Playful Instagram Clip

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  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/12 .. etend-injury-meme-in-playful-instagram-clip.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Saturday, December 6th 2025 at 7:32 GMT by Total Pro Sports

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Steven Adams Recreates LeBron James’ “Pretending to Be Hurt” Meme on Camera – A Playful Nod to a Viral Phenomenon

When the New Zealand‑born center for the Sacramento Kings, Steven Adams, posted a short clip of himself pretending to be hurt on camera, the basketball world had its eye on him. The video was a tongue‑in‑cheek recreation of one of the most viral moments in recent NBA history – a LeBron James meme that had been circulating across TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram for weeks. In this article, we walk through the origins of the meme, how Adams paid homage to it, the reaction from fans and fellow players, and what this says about the evolving culture of athlete‑generated content.

1. The “LeBron James Pretend‑Injury” Meme: How It Started

The meme itself began on a July 2022 clip of LeBron James reacting dramatically to a mock injury during a basketball practice video that was posted by the Lakers’ content team. In the clip, James flops onto the floor, clutching his leg while an assistant coach holds a small prop—an oversized foam “crutch”—and the caption reads: “If you’re going to break it, make it dramatic.” The clip quickly took on a life of its own, with users dubbing it “LeBron’s dramatic injury” and adding it to compilations of exaggerated sports injuries. The meme’s popularity was largely fueled by the fact that LeBron’s body language—his wide eyes, exaggerated groan, and the way he dramatically sweats—had become a textbook example of how to sell a play.

Because of the clip’s timing—shortly after LeBron’s 2022–23 season and amid an NBA season full of hype—it caught the eye of many fans and athletes. The clip was shared on the Lakers’ official Instagram, quickly turning into a TikTok challenge where participants tried to imitate the flopping for comedic effect. The meme went from being a simple “laugh‑at‑me” post to a full‑blown cultural reference.

2. Steven Adams Steps In

On March 4th, 2024, Steven Adams posted a 15‑second clip to his personal Instagram story. In the video, he’s wearing a Kings’ jersey, standing in a practice court that’s littered with basketballs and cones. The camera angle is slightly tilted, mirroring the same framing used in the original LeBron clip. Adams then takes a dramatic breath and, in a mock‑painful expression, “falls” into a pile of foam pillows, mimicking the way LeBron held his leg.

He then looks straight into the camera, mouths the phrase “I’m so… hurt,” and pulls at an imaginary ankle, all while a teammate (who can be seen in the background holding a towel) acts as a “coach” who says “Alright, just let me see what’s going on.” The video ends with Adams raising a hand, almost as if to signal that he’s “ready to play again.”

Adams’ post was captioned, “If you’re going to break it, make it dramatic. Kidding, guys.” He also tagged @kings and added the hashtags #LeBronMeme, #PracticeHumor, and #Hilarious. Fans quickly noticed that the video was a direct homage to the LeBron clip, and the caption made it clear that he was doing it in good spirits.

3. The Response: Fans, Analysts, and Fellow Players

Within minutes of the post, the video started to circulate. Twitter users added the meme’s original caption and posted screenshots. On TikTok, several accounts used the same video with their own music and editing style, turning it into a new “LeBron James / Steven Adams” trend. Some fans commented that Adams’ rendition was “the best parody ever” while others were more critical, claiming that the video seemed “forced.”

One of the most interesting reactions came from NBA analyst and former player, Paul Pierce, who commented on the video in a short Instagram story: “Steven’s got the humor of a 1‑5 point differential game. Classic.” Pierce’s endorsement gave the video extra traction.

Other players also jumped on the bandwagon. The Dallas Mavericks’ small forward, Lauri Markkanen, posted a meme of himself “pretending to be hurt” on the practice floor, tagging Steven Adams. Likewise, the Miami Heat’s guard, Tyler Herro, sent a DM to Adams with a laughing emoji and the message, “Nice one, Steven. We need more of these on the court.” The playful back‑and‑forth of the interactions showcased a growing trend of athletes using humor to engage with fans on social media.

4. Contextual Links and Extended Discussion

The original Total Pro Sports article not only covered Adams’ recreation but also linked to the original LeBron clip, the Lakers’ Instagram post, and a number of other meme compilations. For those who want to see the source material, the article provided a direct link to the 15‑second LeBron clip hosted on the Lakers’ official media page. A link to the “LeBron’s dramatic injury” compilation was also included, which collects various fan attempts to emulate the meme.

Additionally, the article referenced a secondary source: “NBA’s Best Comedy Moments of 2024,” a piece by the NBA’s own media team. That article included a short segment on the “Pretending to be Hurt” meme, explaining how it became a staple in the “NBA 2K” video game’s “Funny Moments” section. This cross‑media coverage illustrates how a meme can travel from an Instagram video to a video‑game reference and back into social‑media memes again.

5. What This Means for the NBA’s Culture

The viral nature of both the LeBron and Steven Adams videos highlights a few key shifts in how the NBA and its players are viewed by fans:

1. Athlete‑Generated Content Is the New Currency – Players are now not only athletes but also content creators. Their Instagram stories and TikToks often rival the production quality and reach of official league channels.

2. Humor Is a Bridge to Engagement – By playing with a popular meme, Adams connected with a broad audience that might otherwise feel disconnected from the more serious aspects of the game. Humor reduces the “star” barrier, making the player seem approachable and relatable.

3. Meme Culture as a Marketing Tool – The Lakers’ and Kings’ teams are increasingly using the power of memes as a marketing mechanism. Even if it’s just a joke, the content gets shared, thereby giving the team more visibility on social media platforms.

4. Cross‑League Collaboration, Even if Casual – The fact that a Kings’ player can use a Lakers’ meme, and the Lakers’ content team can appreciate it, shows a growing sense of community and camaraderie across the NBA.

6. Closing Thoughts

Steven Adams’ recreation of the “LeBron James pretended injury” meme serves as a micro‑cosm of the modern NBA landscape. It’s a short, funny video, but it’s layered with history, cross‑league nods, fan interaction, and even a touch of commentary on athlete‑branding. Whether you’re a die‑hard fan of Steven Adams, a casual basketball viewer, or a meme enthusiast, the clip offers a light‑hearted moment that reminds us all that, even in the high‑stakes world of professional sports, a bit of humor can bring us all a little closer together.

The original article on Total Pro Sports, which you can find by searching for “Steven Adams recreates LeBron meme pretending to be hurt on camera,” offers further details and links for anyone who wants to explore the meme’s history and the ripple effect across social media platforms.