Race a factor???

Honestly I think the media is making a big deal out of this

We could sit here and argue for pages on whether race makes a difference and it wont change anything

They asked him a question and he answered it… He’s entitled to his opinion

I agree 100%

People might have already not like the race issue. It’s a touchy topic that (I feel) the only people who really HATE the topic are people who are not racist. I for one as a african american believe that LeBron felt alot of the media backlash was partily racist. I saw a couple articles that even touched the topic. To be honest, it’s a overall sports thing.

I don’t kill LeBron for saying it but I’m not gonna say he’s wrong. I feel alot of white reporters/anaylist were tough on him this offseason. Not to mention, those Cleveland people were rough on him too.

I agree lakano. I think that that the media, especially ESPN, makes too big a deal out of this, and I’m African-American. I think that the media is trying to make race a factor even though I don’t think it really is. There are always going to be racist people in society that are going to hate on black athletes, but IMO, race in this LeBron situation isn’t that big of a deal.

Race is a non-issue here. Stop trying to make it something its not.

Race is a non-issue here. Stop trying to make it something its not.

Could you explain why not?

I think it is an issue in so respects. People need to realize the same families that had money in the past still have money in the future and some of those people were racist.  There is a society consensus of racial tension just because you have people who are blessed to be athletic making more money than people who feel they deserve that kind of money and a lot of sports player in some sports are of one race.  Instead of indivilualizing, people tend to group which is where some of the racism comes in.

I wish that racism was over but it isn’t, it is not as bad as it once was but it still exists and people who are naive about that most not be effected as much.

or lying to themselves

 It will always be taboo because you don’t want to say the "wrong"thing that might offend someone. 

As far as LeBron goes, it was a d*ick move to have an hour-long special on ESPN, the same network that allowed him to air it is the same network that will criticize him the most. 

You’re allowed to switch teams but he went about it all wrong. Of course people will not like you because of race but his arrogance and ‘me’ attitude shined through this summer. Race is always an issue with black athletes living lavishly, the tattoos, the cars, blah blah but he wanted this attention sooo bad, now deal. 

(not that it matters, but im black and i dont really like bron anymore either)

Race is a issue in everything you cant avoid it people one race dont agree with people of another race its life

but im black and i dont really like bron anymore either)

Why don’t you like him? Because he is not the popular player anymore?

Well, not really. That’s LeBron jumping and saying race was something that effected him.

Race is a big deal.

Race was an issue with the Kobe case but not here. Yet still Kobe had enough class not to go there. First it’s the elbow now it’s racism? Lebron has been all excuses lately.

LOL, Ya’ll crack me up with the Lebron hating. How is he all excuses now? Come on, just say you don’t like him…move on.

Lebron is the only person that is arrogant that has money and fame and to me he did not come over as being more arrogant than a lot of guys with money and fame.  His decision caused a lot of people to lose tons of money. Dan Gilbert came across as being more arrogant than Lebron.  I was always more of a Kobe fan but I don’t hate Lebron.  Lebron made a bad move in that Decision thing but his actually decision was better than staying in Cleveland.  I would have been more upset if he stayed in Cleveland.

 I dont like how he went about the whole free agency saga. He said he wanted to get it over with quickly but in reality he dragged it out and had an hour long show for something he could have had a simple press conference for.

So because of the decision…you don’t like him anymore?

SIGH.

 Its getting old, 

The race card is a tired excuse to me…They don’t like me any more cause I’m black…no the world hates you because your arrogant, selfish, spoiled, self centered and on top of all that a Coward that is afraid of competition…My wife doesn’t even really watch sports and she hates Lebron…like she can’t stand him…" The Decision " was a bad one and it’s ruined his value as a superstar and Hall of Fame player…how many writers are really going to vote a guy in when he had to join another Hall of Famer’s team to win a ring…

Lebron is a douche bag and the world can smell it…

Lebron is all excuses because he has benefited off of the overhype white people have given him. Now that he couldn’t win in Cleveland and people are dissappointed by his decision to sellout he says he is a victim of racism.

What if Larry Bird had an hour-long special on tv and announced he was taking his talents to play with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the Los Angeles Lakers?

Would race be an issue then?

Would there be as big a media backlash?

I think Larry would have faced an even bigger backlash than Lebron has. The sad part is Cleveland is Lebron’s hometown so essentially his own people that he turned his back on. He brought them on tv and ripped out their collective hearts. With teams like the Browns and the Indians, Lebron gave Clevelanders and the people of Ohio a ray of hope, something that filled their hearts with hope and pride…. one of their very own. And then he went on ESPN and took it all away in a hour long TV special.

I don’t think race has anything to do with it. It’s about the fact he turned his back on his city, his state, his people. That is what he will be remembered for the most.

“Race card getting old”

The race “card” is still completely legit, just not here.

`Lebron showed the world he’s a spineless &$#%#&@!…he’s a leaper now…no respectable fan should be caught pulling for this guy…he’s "Me" first assmuncher and I will be cheering every lost and waiting with fingers crossed that he breaks his leg or both of them…I just can’t stand him and what he stands for…I’m not a hater…I just hate him and I’m not alone with my feelings…highlight reel dunks and stupid dances don’t mean shyt to me…Win a Ring…Show some class and please stop kissing D Wade’s ass….

I understand everyone should respect race, but MY BROTHERS come on. Thats total balony!!!!!!!!!

Stop riding that it’s stupid. Brothers let me tell you if your going to do that then you better get involved in the community and change your image. You where your pants down, list to music about hookers and drugs you get what you deserve. Act respectful and responsible!

Now if some Tea Party member is hasselen you like they are Obama be pissed but beside that get a grip.

But where was the racial over tones in this Lebron backlash…He had every white owner trying to sign him, plenty of white fans all over the world and plenty of white supporters after he made his Decision…It’s just when evbery one woke up after the Espn and special and took it all into account they realized they have just witness a selfish and tasteless act by a so called sports Hero…Heroes don’t tuck their tails between their legs and run away from a challenge…he blames the Cavs for not putting pieces around him when he had every thing handed over at his will…

He wanted that Team built the way it was built and asked for Jamison…demanded this and that and then left the Cavs holding the bag…I’m pro Gilbert in this debate and believe what Lebron did was classless and cowardly…

why cant someone dislike lebron for his decision special? as a fan, anyone should reserve the right to hate an athlete for a bonehead move. racism isnt dead but in sports its mostly a non factor. no people dislike lebron because for someone panned as the next best thing he teamed up with 2 other all stars in his prime to try and win instead of doing it himself, he bailed on the only basketball team in his home state for south beach, and now he wants to act like hes been wronged, no lebron has brought this upon himself now he needs to deal with it and not try to blame it on someone else. being white i can tell you(of course this is just me and i cant speak for all white people) i dislike lebron and his decision because instead of seeing great competitiveness from lebron trying to win on his own, i know have to see him win with 2 other superstars. as a man(any color skin) i think its the easy way out and i myself couldnt live with the same decision he made from a pride standpoint. i can respect kobe and mike vick more than lebron even through their flaws in life because they want to redeem themselves, not with help but with their own blood sweat and tears.

Nuff said…boo this man if you have a soul…If your a fan than heah…Hitler had a fan club too

I think there are a lot of things in play. In real life race comes into a lot of things. Unfortunately, people pretend that race can never be an issue because that would be ridiculous. No one ever judges someone for their race, how much they make, where they live, how they look. It just never happens.

Race does come into play in some of it, but race is not the only thing. It’s too simple to blame this whole Lebron thing on one thing. Besides being black Lebron is also rich, he’s arrogannt, he’s tall, he’s famous, he’s good at what he does, etc. Plenty of people can find a reason to like or hate him based on any of those things I listed.

Back to the race issue. Let’s put things into perspective. I used to be a Lebron fan and I used to be a Brett Favre fan. Both of those guys attitudes put me off greatly, especially recently. I hate selfish and self centered behavior by spoiled brats who think everyone owes them and no one should criticize them. Now I have much less of a problem with a guy being a free agent and picking his spot, though I hate how it was done. I have a bigger problem with a guy who holds his team up year after year. The team doesn’t know what to do or when to move on because this guy can’t make up a decision. He’s so spiteful that he does everything he can to get traded, then ends up with the Vikings which was a division rival that Green Bay would not have sent him to. It’s the equivalent of Michael Jordan going from the Bulls to the Knicks. I never see Favre get the bad press that Lebron did, but Favre doesn’t hold just one press conference, he’s holding multiple ones as well as various interviews. You could group all those together and call them the "Indecision."

If you don’t know about the Q rating then Google it. Lebron is the 6th most disliked athlete in sports. The top 5… Michael Vick, Tiger Woods, Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and Kobe Bryant. I can understand the dislike for all of these guys to a degree. Vick comitted a crime, Woods and Bryant adultery…Owens and Ochocinco like to celebrate too much. Seriously, they celebrate too much. That gets you top 6. To my knowledge neither has committed a crime.Not sure how Big Ben didn’t get on here. At least what Kobe did was quite a few years back. This is at least the 2nd reported instance of Big Ben possibly sexually assaulting a woman. Roger Clemens and Mark McGuire cheated an entire sport taking home tons of trophies, awards, MVPS, Cy Youngs and championships, but no one makes a big deal out of it. Barry Bonds has no proof of anything (though I believe he did it) and gets black balled out of baseball even though he could still play.

Also, why do people always say he turned his back on Cleveland? Does loyalty mean that we live in the same city our whole lives, especially if leaving means upsetting others and work at the same job no matter if we don’t think we can achieve the goals we want at that job? A better company wants me, with better bosses, in a better city and I can take the most important people in my life with me. That sounds great. An added point is he played for Cleveland. He’s from Akron. It’s not the same city. Not all people from small towns try to claim the biggest city that they are near.

No matter what I have to give ESPN a big hand. They helped make this a much bigger story and new all of this would play out well for their coverage.

And I can’t stand Brett Favre either……..

And the MN Vikings are my team.

The way I see it…   the true "racist" doesn’t even know who LeBron is let alone know what he did this past summer.    It would be almost impossible to like NBA basketball if you have a problem with people of color.

I am a fan of watching LeBron play basketball…   that being said I am also a fan of "straight shooters"… people who are open and honest.     LeBron’s apologists comment on how the Cavs other players sucked…   the deal  is Danny Ferry pretty much was LeBron’s assistant GM bringing in just about every player he asked for right up to the last trade deadline.   

As for James leaving for Miami….   Cleveland was always going to be pissed.    The rest of the country didn’t appreciate the "in your face nature" of his program.    If people consider that racist…    well then I guess that’s just how it is going to be. 

First of all I think "The Decision" was one of the worst decisions ever. He could have been more subtle and just stated that he was going to another team no problem. Yet, the racism part is evident. Racism is a touchy subject, so I will be brief or try. The Media has been chewing him out and his former owner especially. I think America saw a young, cocky, and arrogant black superstar who showed how much power black athletes can have and it rubbed some people the wrong way. I hated the decision, but how many times have owner/Gms traded player or cut a player with out even informing him first. Now that a player has turned the table he becomes a villain. It hasnt only been whites to criticize Lebron, he has heard it from blacks as well, but the playing field seems unleveled here. Double Dribbler makes a great point also. I dont think the issue is big enough to involve Al Sharpton, but we see the ugly face of racism in sports alot, too much. I think the lebron situation is more on himself than racism, but racism does have a front row seat as well.

people are gonna hate on the people who are on top. Lebron is arguably the biggest name in the NBA and he hasnt won anything. He does come off as arrogant as hell. The decision was terrible publicity for him. ANd its still fresh in everyone’s minds. ALso, i have to kinda laugh when people today are making things like Q ratings into racial issues. Black people in the past and even today who went and go through real racism would laugh at a q rating being lebron suffering racial injustice.

i cant stand lebron now becuase of he handled the fa process i fully belive he knew all along he was going to leave and just drug it out for the attention and for the larry bird comment id felt the same way about him if hed done what lebron did and on the favre topic i loved him in the past top 5 qbs ever but the drama hes been over the past few years has made me dis like him so is

the  race card is always thrown when there are no other options…… i hate lebron he has gone from arrogant to a laughing stock over the summer… as a pro athlete to throw the race card it goes to show what a little girl he is, best believe ill be rooting against him, does that make me a racist? i guess in lebronze eyes it does

I dont get the ppl getting mad at Lebron for saying race plays a factor, but come on guys wether subconciously or conciously race ALWAYS plays a factor wether it plays a small role or large one. He did not pull out the race card he just said it plays a factor there will always be ppl who may not like Lebron’s decision because a recognizable black athete was put in a position of power to make his own decision. I hate how many black athletes when they are put in a position of power they are praised to no end, but as soon as they do something ppl don’t like they are demonized beyond comprehension.

I’m glad Lebron did not run from the issue because in the end not talking about race will not make it go away in actuality when black athletes and other prominent civil rights leaders continued to talk about race was when racial relations improved. I don’t agree with race being used all the time but in this case he answered a question and in the end the positive thing is it gets ppl to think and he’ll move on from it.

andxxx, a few things i disagree with about your post, you say

“there will always be ppl who may not like Lebron’s decision because a recognizable black athete was put in a position of power to make his own decision. I hate how many black athletes when they are put in a position of power they are praised to no end, but as soon as they do something ppl don’t like they are demonized beyond comprehension”

lebron is not the first black athlete put into a position of power or who left a team or anything like that. Was shaq demonized for leaving orlando? Was chalres barkley demonized for forcing his way out of philly? Is melo being criticized at all right now for apparently looking to leave denver? Lebron is being demonized as you put it because of how he did it. And how about all the black people who have criticized him including past players lke jordan, magic and barkley as well as many members of the media that are black? Are those guys just speaking their minds but the white people who say the same things are racist?

Lebron was demonized by “The Decision” that did raise $3million for the boys and girls club. You’re acting as if I said that the issue was completely black and white, I did not say that at all. I did not watch the NBA that far back so I can’t comment on Barkley or Shaq, but Melo has not left Denver yet and if he had left in the same manner as Lebron he would have been criticized almost as much not quite as much as Lebron because he is not as popular.

Again I did not say the issue was completely black and white, but to say it played no part or its a non issue that’s something I’m not buying, race plays a factor in many situations in America and the situation with Lebron is no different.

i agree, there are always gonna be racist people out there. Were talking about a country of over 300 million people. Lots of closet racists and idiots of every color. But to suggest race is a factor in the overall grand scheme of things but then to not address things like the black people who have criticized lebron and the fact that many other black athletes who have left teams in different circumstances and not been demonized, its kinda like throwing gas on the fire and then bailing out without explining why. Lebron grew to the top of the sports world as a black athlete in a predominantly white country. Jordan is the most loved basketball player ever. When someone messes up and gets criticized, i dont understand how that must becuase of race but race was no issue before.

   You said  Melo wouldn’t be critisized as much because he is not as popular?     So it is about race?   or Is about popularity?    Which is it?     Is race the reason Melo won’t be critisized as much as LeBron?   

popularity has a LOT to do with it. Thats probably the single biggest issue. People like to bring people down who are on top of their games/sport. When you are on comercials and make millions in endorsements and are being highly publicized, people are gonna want to see you falter.

To say race isnt a factor is being very naive… We live in a country of over 300 millions people in which 75% is white, 12% black and historically race has ALWAYS been an issue for blacks… Think about it black people where only able to offically vote 50 years ago and this country is over 400 years old… Most of the history of this country race has been a factor, I mean Obama is the first black president although he is half black/half white, but with the one drop rule he is considered black; this idea in itself is based on the ideology of the domniant race..  

Why would Lebron not be skeptical about race in an issue where a black athlete is excercising his power and the DECISION which was kinda tacky, was a POWER play… As far as Larry Bird joining Magic, why would he?? Bird was playing with HOFER’s, plus the Celtic-Laker rivilary was turned into a race issue (the showtime blacks v the grittyy whites)…

Sometimes I think its easy to play the race card I think since the civil rights movement (which was also about women and gay rights) till current day some black and white people use the race cards for their own selfish reasons , but to say in the Lebron James case race doesnt play a small factor is plain crazy… American societies view on whites and blacks is part of the overrall American culture and thats NOT an opinion but a FACT…

It just sounds ridiculous to me that ANDxx isn’t quite able to differentiate between popularity and racism…   it seems to be whatever sounds best to him when he’s making his arguement.       To me,  I’d think you argue one or the other…   just not both as he tried to do.

Thanks for the lesson.    It’s about race,  you are correct about that part.    It’s a very small part race…  a large part arrogance and bad advice from LeBron’s camp.     When LeBron was loved be 90% of people in this country it wasn’t considered racism…   why do you consider it purely racism when he’s critisized by the 90% because of how handled his freeagency?     If everyone in this country doesn’t support every decision LeBron makes is it racism?   

I never said anything about racism, I said race plays an issue of how Lebron James is perceived… I think that when a black athlete does something that is NOT accepted by the mainstream culture he is demonized and criticized… What Lebron James did was kind of tacky, but to get the backlash he has recieved is kind of over the top… I dont get where you get racism from I never called anybody racist, but I do believe that when we judge individuals race plays a role in who we precieve that person.. In our society being black comes with a certain connotation like it or not…

Why is Lebron getting all this critcism part because he made a bad PR move and he wasnt "humble" like people want him to be although his whole life he has been worshipped and put on a pedestal.. Its funny not people are shocked that he is arrogant, he is a product of the people that enabled him… I think because of his race there is that extra HATE factor added on to it… Its ok to dislike him, but some of the stuff people say about him is CRAZY…

My argument overall was that race plays a factor and always does.  It does not have to be blunt in your face racism, if that is the only type of racism u can see than there is no point in continuing the argument.  Why can I not argue that race played a part?  It is in most circumstances not completely black and white there are always gray areas.  I’m not refuting that popularity and the way it was set up (did raise $3million for kids) or Lebron’s attitude that ppl have a problem with, but I’m also suggesting that race played a factor in some of the hatred and anger as well

llperez w/ the knockout win over andxx 🙂

The race card is a tired excuse to me…They don’t like me any more cause I’m black…no the world hates you because your arrogant, selfish, spoiled, self centered and on top of all that a Coward that is afraid of competition…My wife doesn’t even really watch sports and she hates Lebron…like she can’t stand him…" The Decision " was a bad one and it’s ruined his value as a superstar and Hall of Fame player…how many writers are really going to vote a guy in when he had to join another Hall of Famer’s team to win a ring…

Lebron is a douche bag and the world can smell it…

scarecrow, couldny say it better myself

Maybe you are the douche bag, what Scarcrow way saying was way out of line…

"I will be cheering every lost and waiting with fingers crossed that he breaks his leg or both of them" (really that some serious shit)

"I just hate him and I’m not alone with my feelings" (This seems real personal)

Your wife hates somebody she doesnt know?? He ruined his chance to  be a HOFER because he made a decision that was a bad PR move or because he doesnt act like you think he should act…

I feel sorry for indivduals like you.. GET OUT THAT BOX YOU LIVE IN…

billyk speaks the truth. and can you please stop saying Lebron played the race card all he said when he answered a QUESTION was that race played a factor that does not mean the hate was ALL about race, it just means it was a part of it.  I wish yall would stop twisting my words and read my whole comment instead of picking out a few words for your benefit.

they made you get on television and announce your free agency decision because you’re black.  Next.

This is why I wished he never interjected race into this situation, although he said race only played a small part. Cause at the end of the day this has nothing to do with the upcoming 2010/2011 season, or his tenure with the Miami Heat organization. Only adding more unwanted questions to himself as well as his teammates. Also, by interjecting race it serves no purpose you open an ugly can of worms, you’re only dredging up this past summer FA, which seem to me like less people were talking about, and fans were gearing up for the upcoming NBA season. Not only that pulling the race card looks like a cop out, right or wrong, and another reason for people to criticize him. To me when athletes insert race relations into his/her situation it take on a life of it’s own, because race issues can become very… very volatile. People rarely straddle the fence when it comes to race relations, then the issue becomes more about race than the actual problem itself. Like reading a quote from an article, or seeing one on TV. You’ll read/see a quote and think what a dbag, but upon reading the whole article and seeing it in context you can see it for what it is. You know why MJ, Magic, or Bird would never do what Lebron did? Simply because they never had a reason to. Their organizations were well organize, strong leadership, and well coached. But above all that, all three teams was oozing with talent. Those three players never had a real reason to leave to find better pasture.

Charles Barkley

“Sometimes you just say he’s making bad decisions and you’re like okay, he’s gonna get it together. Then he makes more bad decisions. The thing that’s interesting about LeBron … Magic, Michael, and myself, we said we wouldn’t have did it. That’s not a criticism. We were asked a question. I don’t want to play with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, or Michael, I want to beat them. That’s strictly basketball. The only criticism I’ve heard about LeBron and it was my biggest criticism, that decision thing was just stupid. It was stupid.

The second thing when they all came out there dancing around on stage, that was silly. That’s the only thing I’ve heard LeBron get criticized about. That has nothing to do with race. That’s what makes this last thing so stupid. That’s stupid. The only criticism of LeBron has been the decision and the one hour of our life that we can’t have back.

And ESPN, oh my God. Oh my God. To go down to training camp and report everyday is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen. I’m watching yesterday and one of the guys actually said LeBron looked fierce in practice. I’m like fierce in practice? What the hell does that mean? He was fierce in the second day of training camp. You’re like come on man, he really didn’t say that did he. This summer with LeBron and all the stuff that went on is like a bad movie. You just can’t make this stuff up.”

After a few actions, like DUI’s and admitting u were looking for a hooker even though u have a wife, gambling issues, etc.  After stuff like that I respect him for speaking his mind and he’s entertaining, but I can’t take him too seriously.

We live in a diffrent world than Jordan and Barkely, the media is so invasive in our lives and their is a tendency for the media to make stories out of NOTHING… I disagree with how Lebron handled his free agency (The Decision and premature celebration) was kind of lame, but thats more of a PR fail NOT something you should HATE a person over (dislike but HATE??)… I feel that because Lebron has become such a polarizing figure the media (ESPN) is doing WAAYYY to much they should treat the Heat like any other NBA team.. I wanna know who they would have treated Jordan’s Bulls team during their three peats..  

I’ve always liked Charles because he speaks the truth.

Who said anything about hate?   I tyhink it’s more about "you can’t fix stupid".

Your words were already twisted….  you didn’t need any help with it.

I could not agree more that the decision was stupid. And I think to a certain degree Lebron deserves the backlash he is getting for how he handled it.

But, I think the backlash always tends to be stronger, when we are dealing with a black athlete. For instance, people don’t publicly hate on Brett Favre the way they do on Lebron. Favre called a press conference to announce that he hadn’t made a decision yet for christ’s sake. I think the public is more prone to turn on black athlete and see them as unlikable. Can you think of any good reasons why Lebron is on the most hated list and Ben Rothlisberger is not? I don’t think race is the only factor or even a major factor, but I do think it plays a role in how people percieve the decision.

Finally, I think it’s interesting that people see Lebron as such a bad person. From all that i’ve seen and heard, Lebron is by all accounts fairly likeable asside from his enormous ego. His teammates like him, he is good friends with Bosh and Wade, he seems sociable. As a matter of fact, he seems far more friendly and likeable than many other NBA stars who people seem to hate on far less. Scarecrow, I like you, I think you’ve started making very knowledgable posts on this site, but you essentially compared Lebron with Hitler. "Hitler had a fan club too." Really? Are people who like Lebron comparable to people who supported the worst human being of all time?

Most die hard Packer fans loathe Brett Favre.   Their are huge differences in the situations of what Favre and James did.  First off Favre didn’t set up an unprecedented hour long special on ESPN.  

 2nd of all,  Favre was contemplating retirement after being with the Packers for a good 16 seasons (1 SuperBowl VICT.)  and they had a capable replacement in place (LeBron dictated to the Cavs what player(s) to add right up to last seasons trade deadline and then complained about the players around him and then left) .    

While Favre seems to make a spectacle of himself he’s never done the "in-your-face" stuff LeBron did after leaving Cleveland (which was made worse by it being James "home team") he was just "wishy washy" while looking for attention.    Had LeBron been forthright from the beginning with the Cavs he would never have received all of the negative publicity he has earned.   

Still many former Favre fans dislike him for his antics and he readily accepts it…  he doesn’t call out his critics like James.    

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=5707475

There goes Lebron playing the RACE CARD again…

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=5707475

There goes Lebron playing the RACE CARD again…

He really just needs to keep his head down and play basketball.  The only way for him to shut up the nay sayers is to win.  What’s that old saying?  Living well is the best revenge?  He needs to stop addressing the haters as if they matter and just focus on the season.  He’s letting them get to him.

I’m definitely not a big Lebron fan, but I don’t want to see the guy implode either.

He really just needs to keep his head down and play basketball.  The only way for him to shut up the nay sayers is to win.  What’s that old saying?  Living well is the best revenge?  He needs to stop addressing the haters as if they matter and just focus on the season.  He’s letting them get to him.

I’m definitely not a big Lebron fan, but I don’t want to see the guy implode either.

Billy k has owned this convo. Number one, LBJ didnt ‘bring up race’. He answer a question honestly. And I’m sure that he’s gotten more than his share of racial slurs since his decision. I’ve heard people call Lebron "evil". What has he done to warrant the term "evil"? He went to the place where he could win most?

As for the Farve comparison, Favre has been non-commital to several teams every year for the past five years. Ever year there is ho humming, and contradictions while his teammates are working out. Farve gets a pass on EVERYTHING he does, and things that other players would be crucified for. Seriously, I have never seen a player sit out 5 training camps of any sport, let alone get away with it, ESPECIALLY for a quarterback that makes as many mistakes as Favre has at crucial moments.

Billy k has owned this convo. Number one, LBJ didnt ‘bring up race’. He answer a question honestly. And I’m sure that he’s gotten more than his share of racial slurs since his decision. I’ve heard people call Lebron "evil". What has he done to warrant the term "evil"? He went to the place where he could win most?

As for the Farve comparison, Favre has been non-commital to several teams every year for the past five years. Ever year there is ho humming, and contradictions while his teammates are working out. Farve gets a pass on EVERYTHING he does, and things that other players would be crucified for. Seriously, I have never seen a player sit out 5 training camps of any sport, let alone get away with it, ESPECIALLY for a quarterback that makes as many mistakes as Favre has at crucial moments.

Didn’t you guys see that poll on ESPN where about 35% whites supported Lebron while 65% blacks supported Lebron

Didn’t you guys see that poll on ESPN where about 35% whites supported Lebron while 65% blacks supported Lebron

Favre and Lebron are both primadonna jackesses IMO.  It has nothing to do about race and everything to do about egotism and self-absorption.  And who really takes these polls seriously?  Do they really reflect how the overall public feel or are they being flooded by predominantly white angry Cleveland fans?

Favre and Lebron are both primadonna jackesses IMO.  It has nothing to do about race and everything to do about egotism and self-absorption.  And who really takes these polls seriously?  Do they really reflect how the overall public feel or are they being flooded by predominantly white angry Cleveland fans?