LeBron James has built one of the most decorated careers in NBA history, winning four championships, four MVP awards, and redefining longevity at the highest level of professional basketball.
Yet during the Super Bowl halftime show, it appeared that even that résumé was not immune from a pointed reminder delivered by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny.
At a time when James‘ retirement timeline remains uncertain and every public moment involving the Los Angeles Lakers icon is closely scrutinized, the lyric landed with particular force.
While performing on one of the largest stages in global entertainment, Bad Bunny referenced former NBA guard JJ Barea, drawing a direct comparison that many fans interpreted as a diss toward LeBron James.
“Y de Barea, el que fue campeón primero que Lebron,” Bad Bunny said during the performance – a line that translates from Spanish to: “And Barea, the one who became champion before LeBron.”
The remark immediately sent social media into a frenzy, with fans revisiting one of the most painful moments of James‘ early career: the 2011 NBA Finals.
The 2011 Finals context that fueled the lyric
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was referencing the shocking championship run by JJ Barea and the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
That season, Barea and the Mavericks stunned the heavily favored Miami Heat, winning three straight games to claim the title.
Although Barea was not the primary defender on LeBron James, the series became infamous for James‘ struggles. Across Games 4, 5, and 6, James averaged just 15.1 points per game, a performance that has lingered in discussions of his legacy ever since.
Barea, meanwhile, completed a 14-season NBA career and forever secured his place in Puerto Rican basketball history as a champion.
Bad Bunny DISSED LeBron James during the Super Bowl halftime show
“Y de Barea, el que fue campeón primero que Lebron”
Translates to:
“And Barea, the one who became champion before LeBron” pic.twitter.com/JZkGy7aGJT
? Hater Report (@HaterReport) February 9, 2026
During that title run, he averaged 21.4 minutes and 8.8 points per game, playing a critical role in the Mavericks‘ historic upset.
LeBron would, of course, respond in the years that followed. In 2012, he captured his first championship with the Miami Heat, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals and beginning the title run that ultimately led him to four rings.
The lyric caught fans off guard largely because of the public friendship between LeBron James and Bad Bunny.
The two have been seen together on multiple occasions, and James has previously spoken warmly about their bond. He was even seen last year celebrating with the six-time Grammy winner during one of his concerts.
After a Lakers game, James was asked about his relationship with Bad Bunny and his thoughts on the halftime performance. He offered nothing but praise.
“I’m super happy for Bad Bunny that he’s able to represent the Super Bowl in San Francisco,” he said.
“That’s gonna be super dope and hopefully I could be there, man, just to support him. He’s a great friend of mine, so it was great to see that.”
A surprising jab or playful cultural pride?
Those comments have only added to the intrigue, leaving fans to wonder whether the lyric was meant as playful banter, a factual nod to Puerto Rican basketball history, or a subtle shot wrapped in cultural pride.
While debate swirls around the halftime moment, LeBron will be focusing on the Lakers, who have quietly found momentum.
The team has won three consecutive games, buoyed by the return of Austin Reaves, and is preparing for back-to-back matchups against the Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.
Even with Luka Doncic out of the rotation, the Lakers managed to defeat the Golden State Warriors, who were also without Steph Curry.
As the winning streak builds, attention may soon shift back to basketball. But Bad Bunny‘s halftime lyric has already ensured that one old chapter of James‘ career is being talked about all over again.
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