Lebron James stopped for a pedicure in Beverly Hills ahead of his return to NBA action on Tuesday – but it didn’t help him nail a victory.
The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar, sidelined for a fortnight with back and knee injuries, was taking no chances before his team took on the Phoenix Suns, making sure the quick feet that help him zip about the court were in tip-top condition.
The player, dubbed King James, looked like he was glowing with health – and his clothing was vibrant too. He donned a bright orange T-shirt and dazzling Nike trainers for the pampering session.
Lebron James stopped for a pedicure in Beverly Hills ahead of his return to NBA action on Tuesday
Toe-tally ready for action: James had the pedicure after being sidelined for two weeks
Footloose and fancy free: The Beverly Hills pedicure wasn’t James’s first, as this Instagram picture from February 2014 shows
During the match, which ended 107-100 to Phoenix, James scored 33 points in just under 37 minutes on the floor.
The Cavaliers had hoped James’ return would make for a quick reversal of fortunes. They lost seven of the eight games he missed during the longest stretch on the sidelines of his career.
James admitted before the game that he might have taken more time off if his team had been winning, and said it was hard to endure watching the Cavs lose as he was idle.
‘It’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever been through,’ James said. ‘I hated the fact we were playing some pretty decent ball when I went out and we’ve just dropped a lot of games when I was out.’
The Cavaliers also had key reserve Shawn Marion back after missing two games with a strained hip.
Camera shy? James hides his face from photographers as his feet are tended to
Soleful: James’s left foot is carefully massaged during the session in Los Angeles
Relaxing: It wasn’t just James’s feet that were pampered, he also had a head massage
The future is orange: James strides down a sidewalk in Beverly Hills with his entourage, with one young onlooker hoping for an autograph (right)
Popular: The star caused a stir as he made his way through the upscale Los Angeles area
James said the team, which got off to a slow start as it adjusted to the return of the superstar to his first NBA club after four seasons in Miami, just needed to stay focused on the details that had them improving before his injury absence.
‘We’ve just got to continue to work the habits and things we’ve built over the season,’ James said. ‘We’ve played some really good basketball, we’ve played some not good basketball.
‘Obviously of late we haven’t played really good basketball so hopefully we get back to it.’
Last December James raised eyebrows by putting his arm around the Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince William and Kate posed with the star in New York after a game with the Brooklyn Nets, where they were presented with a shirt for Prince George.
But as the camera flashes went off, Mr James put his arm around the Duchess’ shoulder – a breach in etiquette.
The eyebrow-raising moment followed the royal couple meeting pop royalty Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z – and Prince William visiting the White House for a meeting with President Barack Obama.
Etiquette expert William Hanson told MailOnline that although the Duchess is unlikely to give Mr James the cold shoulder, he still should have kept his arm away from her.
He said: ‘Although I am sure the Duchess of Cambridge won’t have worried about it, Mr James should not have put his arm around her.
‘Americans are much more tactile than we Brits and this is another example of an American being too touchy feely with British royalty. You’d have thought they’d have learned by now.’ Mr Hanson added: ‘A shower would have been preferable but he had just finished a game – so even more reason for him not have opened his pits by lifting his arm and placing it around Her Royal Highness!’
However, because LeBron put his arm around Kate for only a second as they posed for a photograph, no offense was intended, none taken and that it was a very relaxed occasion.
