PARIS — In a tragic turn of events, the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics were delayed after Team USA flag bearer LeBron James flopped dramatically onto the ground.

James, widely regarded by experts as the greatest flopper in NBA history, seemed to have expected to gain at least two free-throws by flopping when he was handed the flag.

“They passed him the flag and he went down like a truck hit him,” recalled Jean Lambert, a spectator at the games. “He threw his hands up in the air as he was sitting on the ground and looked around for a referee. Several people started whistling and taking selfies — one even caught the entirety of Bron’s signature move on camera, too! To be honest, I’ve been watching the NBA for years now and I always dreamed of seeing LeBron flop in real life. This memory will last the rest of my life!”

While most American spectators reportedly groaned and started watching other countries’ flag bearers instead, foreign fans of the NBA greeted LeBron’s landmark flop with cheers of “C’est la vie…oui oui, baguette!” and “Ja Deutschland!” After three men helped him off the ground, LeBron James was able to finish leading the United States delegation into the Olympic Stadium, hobbling slightly and wincing every now and again.

At publishing time, Lebron James had flopped again when someone shook his hand after the opening ceremony.

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