It is interesting that most of the people who say they hate him are non-blacks. IMO part of that may be black protectionism, but part of that is also racism. I think the point about how Favre and Big Ben are not on the "hated" list supports that.
Why is it not an issue that blacks don't have a negative opinion of LeBron but it IS an issue that whites don't have an issue with Favre? It is a double standard. He was baited into saying it was about race but it was still ridiculous. Someone needs to get him to shut up and play. Even Peter Gammons was ripping on him the other day (said, "To bad LeBron didn't play as hard in the Celtics series as he is for cameras at the Heat practice.")
I haven't seen the numbers to say how the opinion of Favre breaks down by race. IMO the issue is that race relations are something we still can't get past. I don't think that one race is more racist than the other. I think that Americans of all races are too intolerant.
So all the haters where psychic and knew that he would make those statements on September 29, 2010? So they decided to hate on him in advance? interesting theory.
and yes..there is a racist element to this. all you have to do is read some of the hate blogs, posts, and tweets. Monitor Lebrons twitter for a couple of hours...he has to delete about 100 to 200 racist posts.... All of a sudden, Wade began to get racist tweets as well.... COINCIDENCE?
race has nothing to do with it. most football fans hate favre too but what is his crime. that he keeps waiting until august to decide whether to play again! that's not even in the same realm as lebron creating a shrine to his ego on his one hour special. and how many people like big ben outside of steelers fans? he's another one that gets ripped continuosly. to cry race in this instance is to be a racist imo
Reaility is, it could just as easily be two asian teens in their momma's basement tweeting that stuff, with the anonymity of the internet it is difficult to put any weight on someone taking potshot statements. For myself, I put more than some blame on ESPN itself, with their NBA Broadcast contract they have every reason to hype EVERYTHING the three of them do in Miami. What ESPN does do, when bother to watch is this: "...there is still a lot of anger at Lebron for his leaving Cleveland..." They keep the meme alive, it is in their interest to bring that up every chance they get, so when the Heat succeed it will be "..overcoming all of the reactions.." if the Heat do not succeed "..expectations were huge for this team, to fall short should require Pat Riley to do some soul searching.."
What do you make of this? on 790... Lebron un-favorability ratings....in...NEW YORK. Among Whites...before the decision....21%....AFTER: 44% Among Blacks.....before the decision....14%....AFTER: 15%
The fact that they really thought LJ would land in NYC and now they are peeved at being jilted? In some New Yawkers heads, NO ONE turns down more money and a chance to play in New Yawk..they took it personal
I would compare it to jets fans and their loves of sanchez. When he wins he's great, when they lose and he sucks, the mexican jokes start flying.
ESPN has a "beyond the lines" story on this right now. No matter what LJ does, ESPN is going to milk it for all it is worth.
they are both egomaniacal but to me favre is an old man hanging on waiting to see how his body feels before deciding whether to lace up the shoes one more time while lebron is just trying to be a media whore
So white people weren't racist until he made his decision? His decision turned them racist? How can you say they are racist when they were huge fans of his before the decision? The "decision" had NOTHING to do with race and it was the very obvious catalyst for the change in favorabilty.
I really don't understand the Heat fan mentality to defend everything LeBron does. He is on your team - you are going to win a bunch of rings - what does it impact your fan base that everyone loves the guy? We never went through this for Joey Porter.
I don't know, just the quote, "Sometimes I spoil my family with the things I do on and off the court" is one of the most egotistical things I've ever read. Favre gets his attention every year - but ends up signing without a huge press conference or announcement on ESPN. LeBron is the one that built the hype for his own free agency (repeated comments about how big a summer 2010 would be) and then held the 1 hour special.
BTW...anybody mention that while Lebron is the 6th most disliked by Que ratings....that he also happens to have the highest positive Que rating of all NBA players?
I disagree. Favre has done this for years. The main complaint about LBJ was the one show and even that has an alternative explanation. It is just as likely that he did for egotistical purposes as it is that he did it b/ it raised $3 million for the boys and girls club. You may choose to believe that it was for egotistical purposes, but that is at best an opinion. Whether you choose to believe either motive, a reasonable person would admit that it is at least possible that the charity and not ego was his motivation. I don't know why he had the show b/c I'm not in his head. But I can say that if I were in his position and somebody had suggested the show to raise money for a cause I cared about, I probably would have done it. In retrospect, I don't think it was a good decision, but at the time I probably would have done it. And in my case it would have been solely for the charity, b/c I hate cameras and publicity.
Oh come, on that charity BS was a front. $3 million? He could have just written a check if he wanted to for the B&G Club. It was an insanely egotistical move. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a basketball guy in general, however the Heat are one of my favorite teams, and DWade is one of my favorite players - I don't have some anti-Heat agenda like many are claimed to have, I don't like the Lakers, I hate the Knicks and despise the Celtics. I don't really care about LeBron one way or the other, but that show was just narcissism at its core. EDIT: Just to keep race out, I will say I hate Favre at least as much as LeBron, if not more so. Brett is milking every moment of camera time he possibly can and leaving his teammates and "fans" to twist in the wind.
Now while I agree the lebron hate is out of control, I wonder if the race thing isn't being looked at correctly, rather then it being white people are being raciest(might be that) maybe it's more that Blacks are supporting him because he's black? I wonder if lebron was what if those numbers would be flipped. Still pretty insane either way.
The charity could have been a front, but it also could have been the reason. I can't say without being in his head. But I can say that I could picture myself making the exact same decision with zero egotistical motivation and I would be criticized by you in exactly the same way. You would criticize me just as emphatically without actually knowing the truth. In that case you would be 100% wrong.
I think black protectionism is definitely at play as well. In fact I mentioned it on the previous page. Just about every issue in this country breaks along racial lines. To claim that this one issue is exempt is just naive. And if you watch LBJ's actual quote, he didn't bring it up or claim it was the primary reason for the backlash. He was asked if race was a factor in the backlash and he responded that "yes, it probably was". IMO he'd have to be an idiot to think it wasn't a factor.
gotta love some of the reader comments lol the comment section is one of the most entertaining things ive ever read i think lebron should change his name to "The Situation" since he's Miami's answer to the Jersey Shore
Adam. he was asked a question. he answered it the only way a person with a brain would answer it. he was asked if race is a factor. IT IS ALWAYS A FACTOR. That is not "playing the race card." Those comments are from ignorant morons. Throwing your lot in with those fools is not smart.
That guy called Lebron James "overrated". "priceless" indeed. I smell a vast collection of Jet fans in that comment section. Not the brightest group.
lol @ "just" paying 3 mill out of pocket..please like anyone would do that instead of raising it by having the show
Indeed they don't. That doesn't mean they couldn't have. The guy has the money to do it, clearly. Personally I laugh at all the people that actually took the whole "he did it for charity!" line seriously. Please.
That's ridiculous. You admit that nobody does that (pay $3 mill out of pocket vs raising the money by doing the show) after claiming that it couldn't be for charity b/c he would have just done that? You may not believe that it was for charity, you're entitled to the opinion, but to not even accept that it is possible is just ignorant.
How much did he sign for? There are some philanthropists that cut some hefty checks, or have throughout the years donated large sums, and without doing during an hour long "pay attention to me" show. Hey it was a nice gesture, Ill give it that - I don't want to disparage a charitable donation. But that show wasn't about charity, it was about "the Decision" and LeBron. The charity was just a side show, a cover up to make it more palatable. Most people saw right through that facade. It shocks me that people can defend that show. It's ok to be a Heat or Bron fan and say it was not a good move, people make mistakes. Hopefully he learned from it, gained a bit of humility and can dedicate himself to winning instead of being a media personality.
C'mon, Sec - if race is "always" a factor than people would be bringing it up all the time - and we wouldn't even be discussing it in this case because it would be a constant topic. This was a fairly obvious ploy to deflect the negative image going around - I mean Jesse Jackson just did the exact same thing after Dan "Jewish Slave Owner" Gilbert's letter. And the "charity" event was another PR move (and a genius one) - he can ALWAYS fall back on the "it was for charity" line when he catches flack. I thought the charity "out" was the only smart move him marketing team made during the decision.
