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Apparently Jackson decided that he'd had enough. In a public statement of his own, he said the following:
"He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave."
It was only a matter of time before someone made reference to the racial writing on the wall. With LeBron being an African American athlete and one of the most celebrated public figures in America today, many expected his decision to lead to a public uproar. What was not expected, however, was the decay in James' public image that resulted from his move. He was not only criticized for leaving the fans who'd been so loyal to him over the past seven years, but was also described as a narcissist for making his decision on a nationally televised special.
Most of the criticism is uncalled for, but it won't matter. At this point, James has paid a huge price for his freedom, and the only way to truly redeem himself would be to win a championship. One can argue, however, that the championship pressure was going to be high no matter where he decided to play. The difference is that by coming to Miami, he's got a good chance to win his title. Through the years, most NBA fans have been astonished that James could make a mediocre team so stellar, and this is why everyone wants him. In fact, as the comedian Katt Williams might agree: The fact that LeBron James has so many haters is what reminds us that his impact is undeniable.
Let's be clear: LeBron James is one of the most effective team players in NBA history. What you saw in Cleveland is just the beginning, because he now has real talent next to him. The thing that impressed me the most about LeBron when I first watched him as a teenager was that he always stood out, no matter who he's playing with. In the McDonald's All-Star Game, he controlled the floor unlike any player I'd ever seen, even though these were allegedly the best high school prospects in the nation. At the same time, when he played with his underwhelming high school classmates, he elevated them to national contenders. Love him or hate him, LeBron is special, and this dramatic situation is just another chapter in what will amount to a very interesting life story. It is only appropriate that at some point Jesse Jackson be brought into the mix.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (74)
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By: CuriousMind68 on 7/11/2010 10:55PM
The irony is, he is making the rest of the Cavaliers feel like 'crap'. Also, after all he has done for Cleveland, to be so negative...I am wondering if the rest of the team is thinking 'damn...I wonder how he will feel about me when/if I leave'
His attitude leaves a lot to be desired, but what goes around comes around.
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By: cyurutihs76 on 7/16/2010 3:18AM
DR.WATKINS.YOU LEFT OUT THE REAL REASON WHY THE CAVS OWNER WAS SMOKING MAD.GO TO YOUTUBE AND FIND JESSE JACKSON ON THE JOY BEHAR SHOW DATED JULY 12,2010.MR JACKSON STATED THAT THE OWNER OF THE CAVS HAS A CASINO LICENSE AND A CASINO NEAR THE STADIUM.BY LEBRON LEAVING, THE CAVS OWNER WOULD STAND TO LOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS PER MONTH.LEBRON WOULD HAVE BEEN THE MAIN ATTRACTION. BY HAVING PEOPLE TO NOT ONLY GO TO THE GAMES BUT ALSO GO TO A CASINO AND WATCH THE GAMES ON BIG SCREEN TV AND LOSE THEIR MONEY.THIS IS ALL ABOUT MONEY. THE LOSE OF MONEY BECAUSE HIS MONEY MAKER HAS LEFT HIM IN THE DUST.LEBRON HAS DONE THE RIGHT THING.HE KNEW THAT HE COULD TAKE THIS TEAM ONLY SO FAR.HE WAS WRONG BY THE WAY HE DID IT.BUT LOTS OF PEOPLE SAW THE SHOW AND MADE IT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CENTURY.THE OWNER DID NOT GO AFTER TOP PLAYERS REGARDLESS OF LEBRON DDECISION.FIVE YEARS AGO ,HE SHOULD HAVE BE SIGNING TOP PLAYERS TO MAKE A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM. THAT'S WHAT PRO ANYTHING IS ABOUT,CHAMPIONSHIPS.LOOK BACK AT THE TEAMS WHO CONSISTANTLY STAYED IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP PICTURE 80's-90s.EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T WIN THEY HAD THE PLAYERS TO COME BACK AND WIN THE NEXT SEASON.BLAME THE FAILURE OF THE CAVS ON THE CAVS OWNER,HE DIDN'T PAY TO PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL! !
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By: BillSchrier on 7/11/2010 11:02PM
This is hilarious. Jesse Jackson is really stooping to whip up some new race hustling business. It must be really hard to invent let alone find any incidents of "racism" to profit from.
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By: gerald on 7/11/2010 11:45PM
He and Sharpton need to go away.They are the two guys that help keep racism alive.Black Americans need to start thinking for themselves.Everything is not always black&white.
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By: wmdavies on 7/12/2010 12:59AM
I totally agree with you. Jesse Jackson is a political opportunist. This has nothing to do with race. I'm from Africa, and the way I see it, is that Lebron was disloyal to the Caves organization, Cleavland, and its fans.
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By: This is Crazy!! on 7/12/2010 9:59AM
Bill, I am often at odds with many of your comments, but this time, I am in agreement with you. And yes, I am Black. The Lebron James issue has absolutely nothing to do with race. Jesse just likes to keep himself relevant with foolish and asinine comments.
Black folks do think for themselves. Al & Jesse represent Al & Jesse. Poll the Black community and see who many feel these two clowns are their leaders. We think White America didn't get the memo and continues to run to them as default representation for the Black community.
Bill, please update your people. Thanks.
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By: mswll4 on 7/12/2010 4:33PM
JESSE JACKSON, A COMMUNIST NEGROID. I knew he was going to jump into this JAMES matter. Go back to your CRACK-INFESTED NEIGHBORHOOD, you and the other BOY, AL SHARPTON.
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By: Rob on 7/13/2010 5:04PM
Yeah, their bank account must be getting low so gotta stir up some more bullshit. The funny thing is only 1% of whites in america back then were actually slave owners, which means 99% of the time they are full of shit. Didn't blacks own slaves as well. They shouldn't assume everyone is as ignorant as they are !
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By: Shellfish789 on 7/11/2010 11:02PM
You people are taking this LeBron too serious ...I think you should get a life and leave this man alone...HE MADE HIS choice......GET OVER IT!....you are a bunch of sports fanatics ....
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