LeBron James - A runaway slave?

[KD Epic]

Wasn't sure if this should go under sports or the grill room but Jesse Jackson strikes again:

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local...-98230524.html

Wasn't sure if you guys had heard this story yet, apparently LeBron is a runaway slave... I hate being white so, so bad.

[jamo]

If Reverend Jackson thinks race had anything to do with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert wanting one of the best basketball players in the world to stay on his team, he is insane.

[KD Epic]

For that guy race has everything to do with everything. If a team loses a great player to free agency, they're going to be a little bit upset. And if they lose that player in the manner they lost LeBron - they're gonna be pissed. It has Zero to do with race and Everything to do with that guy being able to ball. It was a crummy way to end his run in Cleveland, especially if you're Cleveland. And that's that. Jackson had a great cause and a great legacy with MLK Jr... Now he's muddling that up trying to stay in headlines.

[Slammin' Sam]

I heard it on the radio this morning. As I understand it, Jackson's comment was a direct response to the comments of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who called LeBron James' decision to leave Cleveland and sign with the Miami Heat "cowardly". Jackson said Gilbert's comment was "arrogant and presumptuous", a sentiment with which I agree, and that Gilbert had the "mentality of a slave owner", a sentiment with which I don't agree.

[jamo]

Jackson said Gilbert's comment was "arrogant and presumptuous", a sentiment with which I agree, and that Gilbert had the "mentality of a slave owner", a sentiment with which I don't agree.

Nicely worded. I agree with this.

[KD Epic]

I heard it on the radio this morning. As I understand it, Jackson's comment was a direct response to the comments of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who called LeBron James' decision to leave Cleveland and sign with the Miami Heat "cowardly". Jackson said Gilbert's comment was "arrogant and presumptuous", a sentiment with which I agree, and that Gilbert had the "mentality of a slave owner", a sentiment with which I don't agree.

I agree completely, where does Jackson get off thinking it's any of his business to comment on sports? Where does he get off thinking it's any of his business to make every issue that involves a white man, and a black man, about race?

[CG031]

This was just as hilarious as Gilbert's letter itself.

[NormH3]

Move along...move along. There is nothing to see here.

[rudygu]

Jackson and Gilbert are both certifiable.

[senorchipotle]

Wasn't sure if this should go under sports or the grill room but Jesse Jackson strikes again:

Never, ever, let anybody make you feel ashamed to be who you are. you couldn't imagine how revolted i am by urban rap culture and the fact that black men are a lot more likely than other men to go to prison. but i don't let that for a second make me feel ashamed for being black. hell, i'm embarrassed of jesse jackson, but it doesn't make me want to be japanese.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Im pretty sure slaves weren't getting paid 120 mil back in the day.

[jayt0625]

Jackson is a clown! LeBron is a sellout IMO. I would have had so much more respect if he stayed in Cleveland and did his thing there. Yes he needed a few more pieces to fill out that roster and they could have won a title or two. I do understand his philosophy of winning NOW but going to Miami where he is now the #2 man behind Wade is a mistake IMO. I am also curious to see how Bosh reacts cuz he is the "ballhog" of the group. I don't see this working out and bettering LeBron's "Legacy" at all. Yeah go to Miami and MAYBE win a ring and that is still a big maybe. They just added Mike Miller so that is a plus but they need more quality guys on that roster. They are an injury or two away from disaster......Shaq signing would be HUGE!

[jamo]

Jackson is a clown! LeBron is a sellout IMO. I would have had so much more respect if he stayed in Cleveland and did his thing there. Yes he needed a few more pieces to fill out that roster and they could have won a title or two. I do understand his philosophy of winning NOW but going to Miami where he is now the #2 man behind Wade is a mistake IMO. I am also curious to see how Bosh reacts cuz he is the "ballhog" of the group. I don't see this working out and bettering LeBron's "Legacy" at all. Yeah go to Miami and MAYBE win a ring and that is still a big maybe. They just added Mike Miller so that is a plus but they need more quality guys on that roster. They are an injury or two away from disaster......Shaq signing would be HUGE!

The thing is, Wade thinks that all of the greats did this to win. He think this situation is the same as the Celtics in '08(who got Garnet and Allen in trades for players they drafted, and who drafted nearly all of their players) the Bird Celtics (Bird and McHale were drafted, and Parrish was nothing before he got to the Celtics), the Russel Celtics (drafted nearly all of their great players) the Lakers (who drafted Abdul-Jabbar and Magic, and Baylor and West for that matter. They also got Kobe in a draft day trade), and Jordan's Bulls (who drafted Jordan and got Pipped (their only other great player) in a draft day trade). The NBA's best team to date have always been built by drafting young players and either keeping them or trading them for veteran talent. IMO there is a lot more pride to be taking in a team that is built up from the ground, and that's how all great teams have been built. No great team had been built through free agency, a fact Wade doesn't seen to know.

[KD Epic]

Never, ever, let anybody make you feel ashamed to be who you are. you couldn't imagine how revolted i am by urban rap culture and the fact that black men are a lot more likely than other men to go to prison. but i don't let that for a second make me feel ashamed for being black. hell, i'm embarrassed of jesse jackson, but it doesn't make me want to be japanese.

Yeah I here ya man it's just all this racism bullsh needs to go away, too many legitimate persons are being called racists because they disagree with an issue unrelated to race. On the other hand, racism can't go away because sadly, there are still so many REAL racists. I just wish MLK were still around.

As a side note when Jesse Jackson's legacy has been written it should be remembered how great he was and what great things he did... And we can just forget about the past 20-30 years. =P Also Bosh is supremely overrated - even with legit help he still managed to miss the playoffs entirely 5 out of 7 seasons in a lowly Eastern conference. Will he be good with Wade and Bron? Absolutely. Is his whole "I'm no Robin" mentality ridiculous? Absolutely. Dallas - Miami championship rematch. Miami, the heavy favorite, takes an early 2 games to none lead, they all but have the 3rd game wrapped up when the Mavs rally and Chris Paul (we got him in a trade) passes to Dirk who hits a buzzer beater and wins the game. The Mavs go on to sweep the rest of the playoffs and take the championship! Oh in a perfect world...

[JWL1957]

Wasn't sure if this should go under sports or the grill room but Jesse Jackson strikes again:

Move to Harlem ?

[jayt0625]

The thing is, Wade thinks that all of the greats did this to win. He think this situation is the same as the Celtics in '08(who got Garnet and Allen in trades for players they drafted, and who drafted nearly all of their players) the Bird Celtics (Bird and McHale were drafted, and Parrish was nothing before he got to the Celtics), the Russel Celtics (drafted nearly all of their great players) the Lakers (who drafted Abdul-Jabbar and Magic, and Baylor and West for that matter. They also got Kobe in a draft day trade), and Jordan's Bulls (who drafted Jordan and got Pipped (their only other great player) in a draft day trade).

I agree with you 110%. I know the Celtics did it but all of them guys except for Pierce were past there prime "role" players and I don't really think Pierce ever was or is near the talent of any of those 3 in Miami. I can see towards the end of you career doing a deal such as this because your days are numbered but in the prime of your career? I just don't like the move at all. LeBron has killed the town of Cleveland, his home town at that! That town is devistated. He could have played there for a career and still gotten a ring or two or three, etc. with as you said a team that was built up and not manufactured. I was never a big LeBron fan anyways, not really a huge NBA fan anymore since Jordan retired to be honest. Now its all money and changing teams all the time! No one stays faithful in sports anymore!

[pittpanther]

The NBA's best team to date have always been built by drafting young players and either keeping them or trading them for veteran talent. IMO there is a lot more pride to be taking in a team that is built up from the ground, and that's how all great teams have been built. No great team had been built through free agency, a fact Wade doesn't seen to know.

So the NBA takes one more step towards becoming more like baseball. The Yankees had the nucleus of Jeter, Rivera, Petitte, and Posada, but that would not win them a title. So they bought one with CC and A-Rod and Texiera. Is anyone complaining that NY's most-recent title is not legitimate? Is A-Rod's legacy diminished because he didn't win a title in Texas? I don't think so.

Should Lebron win the title next year, we won't even remember that he used to play in Cleveland. What will be much more interesting is if Miami DOESN'T win the title, or even make it to the championship game. Can that young coach they have control this team of highly-paid stars? When there's 5 seconds on the clock and the Heat are down by one, what play is he going to draw up? Who takes that shot?

[jayt0625]

So the NBA takes one more step towards becoming more like baseball. The Yankees had the nucleus of Jeter, Rivera, Petitte, and Posada, but that would not win them a title. So they bought one with CC and A-Rod and Texiera. Is anyone complaining that NY's most-recent title is not legitimate? Is A-Rod's legacy diminished because he didn't win a title in Texas? I don't think so.

No if they win a title it is because its supposed to be that way bu if they don't win then everyone says it was a failure. I tell you right now with them 3 on there it is going to be a HUGE adjustment for all 3 of them to to see who get touches and points. LeBron won't be scoring 30+ a night with Wade there. I think LeBron should run the PG position and have his hand on the ball creating open looks for Wade, let Wade be the man. Bosh is second class I think compared to these 2 guys and I think he is a big factor in this whole deal. What is his role, how will he like being 3rd on his team and having far less stats than he is used to. I think winning will take care of everything but if they start loosing it is gonna be a finger pointing contest and that could get ugly!

Just to note I think personally LeBron would have gotten far more respect nation wide if he stayed in Cleveland and tried to bring a championship to his home state, just my opinion. Do I think he did the right thing, who knows only he can answer that question and like I said winning takes care of any questions!