Fans blast LeBron James after NBA legend makes shock All-Star Game decision... minutes before tipoff

LeBron James has come under fire after pulling out of the NBA All-Star Game at the last minute.

James announced that he would not play in the game due to injury concerns, little over an hour before tipoff in San Francisco.

'You won't see anything from me tonight. Unfortunately I will not be in uniform tonight - I'm still dealing with ankle and foot discomfort. So I will not be playing... unfortunately. I hate that,' James said.

His decision sparked outrage from some NBA fans, who said James should not have left it so late to withdraw and therefore 'robbing' someone else of the chance to play.

'He took a whole spot from someone who always wanted to be in an all-star game,' one fan said.

Another supporter branded James 'crazy' for his decision and accused him of taking the All-Star Game for 'granted'. 

'Showing up till Sunday and not playing is crazy,' they wrote. '(You) could’ve informed the team that u might not play so they have a replacement ready. Feel like he taking the all star game for granted.'

Another added: 'Could have said this earlier. Norman Powell could have made his first All-Star appearance'. 

A fourth said: 'So you couldn’t have said that sooner and gave a younger star a shot??'