Didn't like "The Decision"? Then you're a racist.

[Andrew]

LeBron James says race was a factor in backlash to 'The Decision' and James’ manager: Race played role in media coverage

Or, you know, it's because people saw the televised special as lacking in class and an egotistical exercise. I'm certain if Larry Bird did something like that back in the 80s and bolted from the Celtics, it would've been just as harshly criticised.

[JaoSming]

I kinda ranted...sorry


PTI was discussing this today and mentioned something along the line of race being an issue because it is Black Athletes being forced to play where White Executives tell them to play, and that the Athletes have no say on the trades most of the time and the one time an Athlete chooses his fate it backlashes on him. I nearly shit myself. I usually respect that show and what those two say, but I turned it off after I heard that.

LeBron is a franchise player who turned his back on the hometown team that has built around him for 7 years. On a national TV special no less. Of course people are going to turn on him from that. The televised party with Wade and Bosh? That will get more people to turn on him (me) because I saw it as a pure act of arrogance or turning the knife on the Cavs, and now indirectly calling his critics racist? What kind of high horse does this guy think he's on?

It sucks cause I was entertained watching him play "power" basketball and bringing sexy back to the block shot but I think I'd rather see him turn his knee inside out in Boston while all our classy Boston residents throw drinks and popcorn at him. If this kind of ego trip keeps up I could see him doing that whole "no one should wear 23 in honor of Jordan" stuff but instead say "no one should wear 6 in honor of The King".

I dunno, fuck him. This is outrageous and I don't see how it can be defended.

[NovU]

Lebron's maturty still has a long way to go for sure. This race excuse was surely uncalled for, nor isn't going to help his situations. It's good that he says whatever's on his mind, but that often times are seen as act of arrogance and immatury. His skill level sure is on different level with other superstars, but due to his immaturity people just don't differentiate Bron with rest of the pack I assume.

[Laxation]

i have never heard this be criticised for anything race related. now it is race related, and he's a dum shit black man who thinks everyone is out to get him - as well as being egotistical. James should write a book on how to make everyone hate you in one short off-season!

[benji]

I think the fact that everyone in this thread has disagreed just proved how right they are, and how racist all of you are.

Also:

[jonthefon]

GO FUCK YOURSELF LEBRON YOU GIANT PIECE OF ELEPHANT ANUS DOGSHIT. STOP FUCKING COMPLAINING AND JUST PLAY SOME FUCKING BASKETBALL, YOU ATTENTION-SEEKING TWAT.

The above statement is merely a brief illustration of my feelings towards this guy, so view at your own risk.

But seriously, he's just digging a deeper hole for himself. It's a real shame that racism is always prevalent, but sometimes the race card is just ridiculously overplayed. LeBron is absolutely self-absorbed and misguided if he continues to be unable to understand why he receives so much vitriol.

[[Q]]

i understand where wilbon was coming from and im sure that applies to a lot of situations in sports today, but this is not one of them. lebron must be an idiot if he really thinks the espn show to announce he's taking his talents to south beach didn't make him look like a tool and an egotistical prick who rented out an hour of primetime to slap cleveland in the face. i still like him, but that obviously turned a lot of people off.

[J@3]

Nigga please.

[GoLowDrew]

[quote="ZanShadow"]Lebron's maturty still has a long way to go for sure. [/quote]

This part is not true because LBJ's will never mature. His world is not the real world. He will never know and therefore never "mature." That's not important because with that much money, one is always right.

Does that take away from being a fan of James? No, not to me. I wish HE would just let it go and go back to basketball. I every much rather be talking about the Heat.

The Decision is Done.

[Patr1ck]

Nigga please.

should have locked the thread with that.

[Ryan]

[Andrew]

Wojnarowski kind of agrees with the point made on PTI, although he notes that the truth in what Carter and LeBron are saying is getting into a different issue and that it's deftly deflecting valid criticism of the special and the way the situation was handled.

[Houndy]

LeBron was an idiot for making that Decision show....
But as I read in an article by J.A. Adande, he makes a good point. He says that John Elway and some other players who wanted to be traded and not be with the team they were drafted aren't scrutinized. Sure, it wasn't broadcasted that they're taking their talents to Denver or something, but it still should be mentioned. LeBron isn't the only player to leave dramatically..

Also, Cleveland was shit, even with him. He's the reason there's an "I" in win.

I hate LeBron for that show "The Decision" but honestly don't give a shit if he broke the hearts of Cleveland. Dirk didn't go. Paul didn't go. They loved their Teams. LeBron I guess didn't have that connection. In his mind I guess it's Championship>Home

[formx]

He says that John Elway and some other players who wanted to be traded and not be with the team they were drafted aren't scrutinized.

Well John Elway didn't play 7 years in Indianapolis, unlike Lebron in his hometown. Plus Elway never played a game for Indianapolis

[Oznogrd]

Chris Paul didn't bail because he''s not an FA yet.

[Houndy]

He says that John Elway and some other players who wanted to be traded and not be with the team they were drafted aren't scrutinized.

Well John Elway didn't play 7 years in Indianapolis, unlike Lebron in his hometown. Plus Elway never played a game for Indianapolis

True. But as I said, Dirk stayed, Pierce stayed. LeBron really didn't give a crap about Cleveland. He cares more about a Championship

[Houndy]

Chris Paul didn't bail because he''s not an FA yet.

Paul in Paul Pierce

[[Q]]

well i think lebron is taking the "people hate on jordan because he's good so they must be hating on me for the same reason" apporach.

[JaoSming]

Chris Paul didn't bail because he''s not an FA yet.

Paul in Paul Pierce

Oz, you're on my shit list for not thinking of Mr. Pierce before Chris Paul. I'm going to use this to pump up my team for a hearty victory against you this week in fantasy football.

[Houndy]

Like mah sig Jao

[Oznogrd]

Well thats still not anymore relevant.

Bailing on a team thats been in the finals 2 of the past 3 years is alot different from bailing on a team that you've been struggling with for 7 years. My money would be on the fact Pierce would be down in miami and we'd have a big 4 if his C's were ANYTHING like how miserable the Cavs have been. Lebron alone had been the bright spot on that team, management refused to bring in much help either on the court or off it (mike brown was a moron). I dont blame him for leaving. Yes i think it was fucked up to do the show and i must be racist...but there was not a damn thing wrong with him getting the fuck out of Cleveland.

On another note that some people seem to forget:
What kid do you know who wants to live in their hometown forever? Shit, if i could get paid millions of dollars to live in Miami: i'd do it too.

[puttincomputers]

LeBron will fail in Miami now due to his Obama impersonation. both of them are race-baters.
Don't like Obama? then you are racist.
Don't like LeBron? then you are racist.

[Andrew]

Well thats still not anymore relevant.

Bailing on a team thats been in the finals 2 of the past 3 years is alot different from bailing on a team that you've been struggling with for 7 years. My money would be on the fact Pierce would be down in miami and we'd have a big 4 if his C's were ANYTHING like how miserable the Cavs have been. Lebron alone had been the bright spot on that team, management refused to bring in much help either on the court or off it (mike brown was a moron). I dont blame him for leaving. Yes i think it was fucked up to do the show and i must be racist...but there was not a damn thing wrong with him getting the fuck out of Cleveland.

On another note that some people seem to forget:
What kid do you know who wants to live in their hometown forever? Shit, if i could get paid millions of dollars to live in Miami: i'd do it too.

That's all well and good and I'd say most reasonable people would agree with that; Cavs fans are excluded because they're entitled to feel stung and disappointed given the circumstances. I'd still say the criticism is mostly about how he handled the decision (and The Decision) though, rather than the fact he decided to leave the Cavs. And given the way it went down, I reckon the criticism would be there and just as harsh no matter the colour of his skin.

[JaoSming]

huh? when did Obama say that?

[Kenny]

The only way this possibly could have ever become a race issue is by the fact that LeBron is calling it out that way. I love watching LeBron play but his sheer arrogance is making it increasingly hard to like him as a person.