Sunday, October 3, 2010

Lebron, Maybe You're The Racist

Recently, Lebron James told CNN that racism plays a factor in the recent amount of criticism regarding his move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat. His comments created controversy on the internet, with a multitude of responses agreeing and disagreeing with him. ESPN analyst Jalen Rose is one among those that agree with Lebron James comments, even adding that those residents in the same luxury suite are those complaining simply because he is breaking the “good, ole boy system.” Now, in response to this comment by Lebron, I do feel that racism plays a minimum factor in the heat that he is receiving. Of course, as a high caliber celebrity and one of the top three basketball players in the NBA, Lebron James is instantly a prime target for media critics. In addition, his actions leading up to his move to the Miami Heat was not necessarily, for better terms, a smart one. I am not saying that his move to Miami was particularly a bad idea; however, he had to have an hour show to tell the fans that. How does racism play a role in stupidity? Furthermore, Lebron James is doing nothing but using racism, a term that has been said loosely lately, as an excuse to get more media attention. Everyone knows that Lebron is an attention God and demands to have media coverage of him all the time. Looking back at his decision to join the Miami Heat, Lebron used ESPN as a tool to create controversy between the teams that he is joining. Nonetheless, Lebron’s actions are what separate him and racism in the public bashing that the media and fans are giving him. Lebron James is mostly critiqued on his recent failure as a leader among the children for the way he portrays himself, arrogant and cocky. The other attacks is from the Cleveland fans that he abandoned by leaving and joining the Miami Heat. Therefore, there is minimum racism in his claim. I believe that Lebron James should spend more time preparing for his recent championship run instead of saying these ridiculous arguments about how racism is now the reason why the fans hate him. Fans will not support ever decision that Lebron makes and making false accusations is one of those decisions that will not roll over well with the media or the NBA family. Instead of making excuses to find fault in the world of Lebron, maybe he should focus on the fans who do love him and his game.

12 comments:

  1. I, too, noticed this headline. My problem with Lebron and Jalen's statement is that this has very little, if any at all, to do with race. The point is what Lebron did was wrong. Sure the N.B.A. is a business; however, he betrayed the fans of Cleveland. Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, both former basketball players with greater authority than James, commented on this situation stating that they would not call each other and Larry Bird up to join a team. Lebron made a mockery of the N.B.A. This is not the playground. I do not think that this has anything to do with race for if he were white, hispanic, purple, or green, he would still be getting the same flak as he is now. The worst part of it all is that the Heat will do well this season; however, Kobe and the Lakers are going to be sitting on top once again.

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  2. As a fan of the game, Lebron's notion of his critics being racist was absolutely appalling. Lebron was known for carrying not only the Cleveland Cavaliers but the city of Cleveland itself. Lebron was the face of the organization for his entire career. Additionally Lebron's fan base reached to those outside of Cleveland as well, after the extremely successful I am a Witness campaign, Lebron was a national icon. With such a large fan base at stake Lebron dug his own grave as he publicly discussed joining the Miami Heat along stars D. Wade and C. Bosh. After finalizing the trade and leaving his hometown of Cleveland, fans and sports critics are rightful to call Lebron a traitor to his city and to the Cleveland Organization. Even with such backlash, you would never expect to see such highly revered superstars to divert attention to critics by calling them racist. Its terrible that someone with such high prestige would be so low to blame critics as racist. NBA stars who have faced much more controversy have been able to stand up to critics much more respectfully, Lebron should follow if he ever wants to be considered one of the greats.

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  3. In agreeing with Lebron's claims of racism being ridiculous, I have to point out that a large portion of NBA players are of color. Yet, the media is not all over them. Why would they single out one person on race rather than a larger group. I doubt they would. So, that said, Lebron really should just make more respectful decisions and stop trying to blame other people for the hate he is receiving.

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  4. Realistically, Lebron is just looking for a scapegoat for the fan base he lost when he made the switch. Unfortunately I fail to see where racism could possibly play a role in his criticism. He's not being criticized for being black and betraying his fans, he's merely being criticized for the latter and only the latter. It's sad to see the fan base Lebron built up in Cleveland desert him so easily, but race is in no way the reason for this. It's a clear degradation of his character to even make such accusations. To think he would play the race card because he made a mistake leaving his fans is ridiculous.

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  5. Mcpje, LEBRON did play the race card. In fact, he specifically stated on CNN and ESPN that race is the reason his fan base left him. However, the majority of his fans were Cleveland fans. Therefore, they have the right to desert him because he deserted them. To think that it is the media that made this accusation is foolish because they specifically showed the video of him saying this statement and his agent confirmed it. Honestly,I do believe that it is a scapegoat to say that it is racism that plays a factor. Lebron just wants to be the victim.

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  6. Mcpje,
    I am confused as to which side of the issue you are on. It seems that you are defending Lebron, but accusing us of making accusations. If this is the case, we are in no way doing such.
    What side are you on? You seem very ambivalent.

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  7. Here is another question, do anyone consider Lebron James a victim of unrighteous treatment by the fans?

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  8. I don't think that Lebron is a victim here. He brought it all upon himself. As a St. Louis Cardinals fan, if say Albert Pujols were to plot secretly to leave and then spring it on my lovely city without any warning really, I'd hate him. And I would be not be hating him because he is hispanic, but simply because he would be a traitor in this situation. Lebron's situation is the same as my fictional one, he deserves all the hate.

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  9. Lebron is not the victim of racist comments, and I do strongly agree that in this situation and many others the term racist has been used quited loosely. By no means do I defend any racist comment or action, but it seems today that there is a slippery slope of what can be said and how it is manipulated either by an individual or the media. People, for the most part, know what is right and wrong and also what would be racist and what wouldn't. To say that the media or fans are highly critical of a decision made for a sport is racist is indeed apalling, and creates tension where none is necessary. Yes, there is and should be sensitivity to racist comments, but only when they are actually being said.

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  10. --"Furthermore, Lebron James is doing nothing but using racism, a term that has been said loosely lately, as an excuse to get more media attention. Everyone knows that Lebron is an attention God and demands to have media coverage of him all the time."

    I would usually agree with LeBron being cocky and wanting attention, but not in this case. I think his comment about being the victim of racism is a tactic to get people to stop talking about him leaving the Cavs in general. A lot of people in the media simply don't know how to deal with the topic of racism and try to avoid it completely. I guess Jalen Rose can safely speak his mind about it (he's black), but if a white sports analyst continues to bash LeBron, now he/she is in fear of being perceived as racist. I check ESPN.com just about every day, and I haven't seen a negative headline about LeBron's stupid decision since he made his comment about being a victim of racism, so I guess it's working.

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  11. Since I am a resident of the fabulous city of Cleveland, Ohio, I have a lot to say about Lebron James. But very little of it is at all appropriate for this blog, so I'll keep my opinions to a minimum :). Lebron tries to throw blame on other people for his comments and actions, so really, anything that he says lately is just a cry for attention. The sad thing is that he gets it. Until recently, in Cleveland, Lebron showed a strong sense of character on and off the court and he was respected by everyone in the city. He was a great influence on a struggling community and showed children growing up in poor households where hard work could take you. It's sad that he had to make such a dramatic change in attitude over the past year, because he was a role model for so many. I think the main problem here is not racism reflected in the public's anger towards his departure, but rather his self-obsession and arrogance.

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  12. an hour long special to say fifteen words? It was the height of arrogance. As for his claim that the reaction to him was racist - I think AndrewMac maybe on to something...

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