In an interview with People Magazine, the President of the United States said that LeBron did the right thing when he wore the t-shirt before a recent basketball game in Brooklyn.
“You know, I think LeBron did the right thing,” the president said. “We forget the role that Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe and Bill Russell played in raising consciousness.”
James, in his own way, joined the nationwide protests of a grand jury decision not to indict a police officer who applied an illegal chokehold that resulted in the death of a Staten Island resident. After examining the deceased body, the coroner’s office ruled the death a “homicide.”
The president continued: “We went through a long stretch there where [with] well-paid athletes the notion was: just be quiet and get your endorsements and don’t make waves,” he said. “LeBron is an example of a young man who has, in his own way and in a respectful way, tried to say, ‘I’m part of this society, too’ and focus attention.”
Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James made a statement tonight in Brooklyn by dawning an “I Can’t Breathe” T-Shirt before his team took on the Brooklyn Nets. James and other players were making their voices heard, showing their apparent displeasure at the grand jury that recently found no wrong doing when police officers applied an illegal choke-hold that led to Eric Garner’s death.
Before he died, Eric Brown was heard saying “I can’t breathe” as a police officer held him in a choke hold.
“It’s the same statement I made before,” James said after the Cavaliers finished shootaround Thursday before a 90-87 win over the New York Knicks. “It’s a sensitive subject right now. Violence is not the answer and retaliation isn’t the solution. As a society we just have to do better. I pray for the families of the lost ones.
“Obviously anytime you lose someone, it’s a downer for the whole family, and I’m not going to get too far involved in the logistics of the things because I’m not a part of it, but you pray for the families.”
Less than two weeks ago, James said the decision not to indict Darren Wilson, the officer responsible for the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, “hit home for me,” and he lamented the rioting, looting and overall violent reaction to the news.
Amar’e Stoudemire, speaking after the Knicks’ loss, said he was “pretty upset” that he wasn’t involved in any of the protests in New York.
“I think it’s something that’s, it’s very alarming in our country as far as that’s concerned,” Stoudemire said. “We have to be more conscientious of what the law enforcement’s job is, and that’s to protect and serve. Those two words are very strong when you think about that.
“Your first job is to protect, and your second job is to serve. Obviously it’s not happening that way. So we’ve got to figure out a way to create a better economic unity for all of the have-nots.”
New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson — a St. Louis native — reaffirmed his position, as well, while discussing the issue at the team’s facilities in Florham Park, N.J.
“Destroying Ferguson is not what I wanted to come from the verdict of the grand jury,” Richardson said. “I wanted my whole city to stay intact. I don’t think we’ll bounce back from that — the area of Ferguson, anyway. That’s just how I feel about it. I just want my hometown to stay as peaceful as possible, but I don’t blame them. I know where they’re coming from, but that’s not the solution.”
Before getting the bucket of ice water dumped on his head, Miami Cleveland NBA Star LeBron James nominated his son and the President of the United States, Barack Obama.
Sidenote – The president has been nominated a few times already. Is he ever going to take this challenge? I’m on the case. Also, ALS has already collected over $4 million in ice bucket challenge donations.
Most people know LeBron for his spectacular moves on the basketball court, but just in case that didn’t work out, James also has a secret cheerleader trapped inside just waiting for the right moment to unleash.
That moment came over the weekend when King James went to his 9 year old’s AAU Fourth Grade National Championship game. The proud daddy couldn’t contain himself as his son showed that the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.
Like he did a few years ago James, had some fans thinking that he was their guy, only to turn around and go elsewhere. Today was no different, as James shocked Miami and surprised Cleveland.
In an exclusive article ppsted on Sports Illustrated, James broke to Hearts of Heat fans by telling them that he is going back to Cleveland.
I’m not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys. I think I can help Kyrie Irving become one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help elevate Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. And I can’t wait to reunite with Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates.
Here we go again! Haven’t we blindly skipped down this yellow bricked road with James before?
The NBA star seems content with toying with the heartstrings of his beloved fans. They’re once again waiting on pins and needles for James to break their hearts as he takes his time deciding where he will play next season. And while some fans will jump with joy when he finally decides, others will get their hearts broken… again!
On the first day that NBA free agents were allowed to sign with their new teams, James continued to play stall ball on Thursday and did not reveal what he’s going to do, although there was a growing sentiment among NBA players and executives that he is heading back to Cleveland.
According to a league source, several Miami Heat players have resigned themselves to seeing James bolt for the team he started with and have expressed those concerns to other players across the league.
“There are guys he’d be playing with in Miami who definitely feel like he’s not coming back,” the source said.
But James maintained his silence, while virtually no details had emerged from the hour-long meeting that he held in Las Vegas on Wednesday night with Heat president Pat Riley. Afterward, the four-time MVP left to discuss his plans with family, with one Cleveland TV station saying that a source close to James’ agent, Rich Paul, disclosed that an announcement would be made by 11 p.m. Thursday.
That obviously did not happen, and James reportedly flew back to Miami with Dwyane Wade Thursday night and is expected to head to Brazil Saturday for the World Cup final.
Meanwhile, the scene in and around James’ hometown of Akron bordered on surreal. Scores of fans lined the streets outside his home in Bath as a steady stream of cars drove by, with the vehicles’ occupants stopping to ask if he had made an announcement. A half-dozen police officers had to maintain security outside the empty house, while awaiting what was billed as a major announcement that never came at 3:30 — the Akron area code.
All the while, James was at his basketball camp in Las Vegas, where Wade dropped by to chat and watch pickup games.
Meanwhile, the Cavs announced that Kyrie Irving signed the five-year, $90 million extension he agreed to last week when free agency opened.
Irving’s long-term presence with the team is seen as one of the major reasons that James will pull up stakes in South Beach and return to the Cavs.
Additionally, the Cavs were said to be trying to work on a deal with Minnesota for All-Star forward Kevin Love, which would turn them into instant contenders to win the East if James returns. The price for Love would likely start with the No. 1 pick from this year’s draft, Andrew Wiggins, along with other young players, including swingman Dion Waiters.
…next year that is. Yes, the 2013-2014 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers seems more like a throw away season. The Lakers have lost their “next in line” player in Dwight Howard, have an aging Gasol, Kobe, and Nash, and have no cap space to sign any big name player this free agency. Heck, looking at the Lakers roster right now any person would laugh at it. This of course is all part of the Lakers plan for the 2014 free agency period.
Probably the Lakers biggest free agent signing, Center Chris Kaman
After this coming season, the Lakers will have around $40 million in cap space and only two players under contract, Steve Nash ($9.7 million) and Robert Sacre ($915,243). The Lakers can even waive Nash since he’ll be in his final season and stretch his money owed and only take a $3.2 million dollar salary cap hit in 2014-2015. Kobe Bryant will be the only big question mark considering he seems to want to play another three to four seasons, so let’s just pencil him in for around $10-15 million.
Lebron can become a free agent after 2014 and the Lakers are gearing up for a run at him
Let me read off some big names who will be free agents in 2014: Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Danny Granger, Loul Deng, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwayne Wade. The list continues if you want to add in the Restricted Free Agents which focus around up and coming stars like Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Eric Beldsoe, and Paul George; all of them though aren’t leaving their respected teams no matter what. The 2014 free agent class is massive in terms of star power to say the least and a team like the Lakers plan to take full advantage of it.
Teammates? It’s not as far fetched as you’d think
Let’s get this out of the way, Lebron James will not be taking his talents to L.A, that’s a total pipe dream. The same can be said for any of the young restricted free agents, especially Kyrie and Paul George. The only possible star the Lakers can land would be Carmelo Anthony. In his current tenure in New York, Melo hasn’t had incredible playoff success and coming to a town like L.A where he will be the man and be paired up with another super star is an intriguing offer to say the least. Plus, the Lakers can offer Melo a huge contract of four years and around $100 million dollars. It shall be a very interesting off season to say the least and the 2015 free agent class promises to be the same with players like Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo, and LeMarcus Aldridge becoming free agents. God I love the NBA.
The Big Three (From left to right: Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and Lebron James) were meant to be dominate for years to come
In today’s world of basketball a superstar cannot take his team to the Finals, or even deep into the playoffs for that matter, anymore. No longer will we see superstars like Allen Iverson take a cap strapped and D-League talent team into the Finals. In today’s basketball world it takes two superstars and one star to carry a team into the playoffs, that is what we know as “The Big Three”. The Spurs have Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobli and we’ve seen the Celtics have their own in Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. None though were ever as feared than Miami’s Big Three in superstars Dwayne Wade and Lebron James coupled with the star power in Chris Bosh. Around those core three a full team was built and made to win, no not just win, but to dominate the National Basketball League for years to come. Why then are the Miami Heat one game away from elimination? One game away from throwing away a season where the Miami Heat earned 66 wins and an almost record breaking 27 game win streak; One game away from what was suppose to be years of dominance being thrown away.
Rather the less famous of the Miami’s Big Three is Power Forward Chris Bosh
While Chris Bosh is not a superstar, he is easily the most important role player on the Miami Heat. His first two seasons in Miami he’s averaged around 18 PPG and around 8 RPG. In this series with Indiana though he’s come up small, so small he might as be invisible. His numbers suggest he’s in a slump (11.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and shooting 41.1%) and he’s even admitted he’s just not feeling his normal self. Granted Bosh is battling an ankle “injury” it can’t be that serious seeing how he has started all the games in the playoffs and only against Indiana has he really fallen off.
The Heat use to be Dwayne Wade’s team before Lebron
Oh the once athletic and high flying Dwayne Wade has started to show the wear and tear of playing basketball the way he does. We all knew Wade was hurting with his chronic knee problems but we never knew the extent of it until this series. His play vs Indiana has shown him miss open shots, easy lay ups, and just not the superstar caliber play we’ve seen Wade play with his entire career; he’s averaging only 14.0 points per game, a post season career low for him. Dwayne has been quoted by saying that the Heat cannot win with Lebron James playing hero ball and that James needs to trust the team and play the way the Heat did to win their last title.
The King is poised to either rise above the rest or watch the “Big Three” era crumble
Tonight all eye’s will be on Wade, James, and Bosh. Will we see a resurgence in Dwayne Wade’s ability to play like he use to? Will we see Bosh become that perfect complimentary piece to James and Wade? If those two continue to hide in the shadows when the spot light is on them, we can all safely say that the era of Miami’s “Big Three” is over and that King James now stands alone in his court.
There is no secret behind the end of the 2014 NBA season and that years top free agent, Lebron James. There is also no secret behind top marquee teams, I’m looking at you L.A Lakers, freeing up cap space that year to land the current best player in the NBA. There is also no surprise behind the rumors of “The King” returning to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers for one last stint. To that I say: Keep dreaming Cleveland.
Lebron James left Cleveland in 2010
It’s sad to see how quickly the Cleveland Cavaliers fell after the departure of Lebron James back in 2010. They fired coach Mike Brown, who they just recently rehired, months before James left. Since then there’s very very little they’ve gotten right outside of their lottery pick up of up and coming All Star Kyrie Irving. Since 2010 they’ve gone 19-63, 21-45, and 24-58 under coach Byron Scott, who is now unemployed.
Cleveland fans would love a Mike Brown and Lebron James reunion
Entering the 2014 season the Cleveland Cavaliers will have an estimated $29 million in free cap space to sign a number of players or just give Lebron a max contract and a blank check. I can’t say I have much faith in the Cavaliers front office to work out a smart business decision, but players such as Luol Deng, Rudy Gay, Andre Iguodala, and Paul George are all free agents that year as well. Match any of them with Kyrie Irving and you will easily have an amazing duo to play and dominate in the immediate future.
Current Cavaliers Point Guard Kyrie Irving
Speaking of Kyrie, he is the only person the Cav’s front office should be concerned of keeping very happy. He is the only player on the roster who a team should be built around. Hey Cleveland! Kyrie Irving is going to be an All Star very soon, he’s going to be a top Point Guard in this league even sooner; Cleveland, this is your next star!
Here I can do it for you Cavaliers front office and best of all is that I won’t charge you a penny. Throw out your pipe dreams of landing Lebron in 2014 and start shopping the free agent market, use your incredibly valuable top draft picks wisely, and also keep Mike Brown around for his contract length, he is a good coach.
Lastly…if I was a Cavaliers fan I’d never want a star player who went out like this, back in my hometown’s uniform.
And now the professionals are getting into it, leaving their mark on the hit dance moves sweeping the nation. Presenting LeBron James and the Miami Heat’s version of The Harlem Shake.
ps. This is not how the Harlem Shake should be done. For the correct way, click here. 🙂
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