LeBron James says race was a factor in backlash to 'The Decision' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 10-01-2010, 12:50 AM

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/bal...urn=nba-273678

Thu Sep 30 10:30am PDT

This is a sticky subject, so let's just get right in to it — LeBron James is convinced that race is a factor in the criticism surrounding his signing with the Miami Heat and his television special, "The Decision."

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports there is some data that seems to support LeBron's claim:

A recent release of Q Scores, a polling system that measures popularity, appeared to support the notion.

Among non-blacks, James' negative Q rating went from 24 percent to 44 after his free-agency announcement. However, among blacks, his negative Q Score slipped just from 14 percent to 15 percent. [...]

Also interviewed by CNN during the segment that aired Wednesday night was James advisor Maverick Carter, the CEO of James' marketing wing, who agreed about the impact of the race factor.

"It definitely played a role in some of the stuff coming out of the media, things that were written for sure," Carter said.

Now, as one of the pastiest fellows to ever walk the Earth, I'm not really in position to say whether or not race was a factor in why people didn't like the way LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers. From a personal standpoint, I can assure you that I would have thought it was very poorly handled and ridiculous no matter what color LeBron was. Arrogance comes in many shades.

However, what I do know is that LeBron saying that he thinks race is a factor will make his actions seem even worse to people who do think it was a factor. That is stupid on so, so many levels, but sadly, it's true. People who consider race when deciding how they feel about someone are more than happy to use these sort of statements against a person. Because they are stupid.

Anyway, maybe race was a factor. The Q Scores certainly seem to support that theory. Then again, his negative rating did slip among black respondents — just not as much — and he was criticized by people such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, all of whom are black. Clearly, his moves weren't a big hit no matter the person's race.

Again, as a white guy, there's no way I can know how LeBron is feeling, but I just have a hard time believing people would have been OK with what LeBron did this summer if he weren't black. And really, that's how it should be. People should hate "The Decision" because it was stupid, not because of LeBron James' race.

catlover79 · 10-01-2010, 12:53 AM

I saw this stupid story on the news tonight, and have just two words for LeMoron:

"SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

What a gigantic

he is.

Marvo301 · 10-01-2010, 01:13 AM

Why am I not surprised that Lebron is now playing the race card?

He just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper!

MrCleveland · 10-01-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Why am I not surprised that Lebron is now playing the race card?

He just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper!

I'd really would like to say what LeButthead is as well as use the Chris Rock vid that talks about it...but that may cause some controversy.

LUNCH · 11-01-2010, 01:40 PM

I stopped watching basketball when Jordan retired.However when some multimillionaire,billionaire perhaps by now athlete like Lebron James uses the race card,it's just another example of how the term racist has lost all meaning.Often those that play the race card are the 'true' bigots'. Seems Lebron James is a true bigot.Unfortunately far to many black people in the public eye these days are no different.And of alot of the blame has to be put on the joke the media has become for constantly playing the race card.

En-you · 11-03-2010, 11:36 PM

i watch basketball only,i don't know whobaby said.LBJ is great player!

catlover79 · 11-04-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

I stopped watching basketball when Jordan retired.However when some multimillionaire,billionaire perhaps by now athlete like Lebron James uses the race card,it's just another example of how the term racist has lost all meaning.Often those that play the race card are the 'true' bigots'. Seems Lebron James is a true bigot.Unfortunately far to many black people in the public eye these days are no different.And of alot of the blame has to be put on the joke the media has become for constantly playing the race card.

AMEN!!!!!!! You hit the nail right on the head.

Tweety · 11-04-2010, 07:14 AM

Lebron was the most worshiped athlete in the world since Michael Jordan, so I don't see how anyone could think that the way people feel about him now is because he's black. A lot of people didn't like him when he was playing for the Cavs, but only because he wasn't on THEIR team.

The idea that people have a problem with a black athlete is crazy.

As far as the WAY he left, I certainly didn't think that was the way to do it, with the ESPN show and everything (although I did hear that Lebron himself didn't make any money directly, all the proceeds went to charity, which is great).

There's really nothing else out there to compare this to (the way Lebron left the Cavs). It's impossible to say how people would react if a white athlete did it this way, but that's never happened. People despised John Elway when he refused to sign with the NFL team that drafted him (Colts), but that was back in the early 80s. Granted, a different situation in a different time, but both black and white athletes can be despised by the public based on their behavior.

I gotta say though, I saw a Lebron commercial the other day (Nike) and thought it was really good. It showed him trying to do all these things and asking "what do YOU (i.e. the fans) want me to do?" It was well done and funny. I don't remember what I was watching when the commercial came on.

Lebron is a likable person. He'll be fine. If Kobe can come back from what HE allegedly did, then Lebron most certainly can.

The other thing to remember is, Lebron DID honor his entire contract. A lot of great players haven't even done THAT.

isiahthomas · 11-04-2010, 11:45 AM

I saw Lebron's new Nike commercial and i like it but i'm still upset about him leaving Cleveland. If he would've stayed, Cleveland would've won some championships. The way he left Cleveland was wrong and he should've held a press conference downtown Cleveland to let the Cavs organization and the fans know that he was leaving. If he would've did it that way instead of going on tv and letting people know his decision, the Cavs organization and the fans wouldn't have been upset at him and despise him. Then again the Cavs management and the fans would've been upset with him if he had did it that way but they wouldn't hate him like they do now because of the way he did it. I also think Lebron is too impatient. I understand he wants to win a championship but it takes time for that to happen. It took Michael Jordan 7 years to win his first championship and there's been a lot of former NBA superstars that never won championships like Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Bernard King, Dominique Wilkins, Reggie Miller, Shawn Kemp, Kevin Johnson, Tim Hardaway, Stephon Marbury and the list goes on and on. Just because you don't win a championship doesn't mean that you didn't have a good career. Now Lebron is gonna jump on the bandwagon and join a team that has 2 superstars instead of trying to win a championship by himself. Now watch you're gonna start to see superstars joining other superstars to try and win a championship because of what Lebron did.

That's why i agree with what Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan said about they didn't like what Lebron did. A lot of people don't like Charles Barkley's opinion but he tells it like it is and most people can't handle the truth. That's why i love him LOL. I got a book by Charles Barkley called Who's Afraid Of A Large Black Man and the book is about racism. It's very good and he interviews some celebrities and politicans to ask them their opinion about racism. He interviewed Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Tiger Woods, Morgan Freeman, Samuel Jackson, Ice Cube, George Lopez. Ya'll should check out the book. He has another book i like called I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It.

MrCleveland · 11-04-2010, 11:55 PM

I saw the Nike Commercial and I liked it...it proved that LeButthead is a human...not a superhuman that he thinks he is.

But flying pigs is more accurate than Cleveland ever winning...unless if Mike "The Miz" Mizanin wins a WWE Championship Belt!

10-01-2010, 12:50 AM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	LeBron James says race was a factor in backlash to 'The Decision' http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/bal...urn=nba-273678 Thu Sep 30 10:30am PDT This is a sticky subject, so let's just get right in to it — LeBron James is convinced that race is a factor in the criticism surrounding his signing with the Miami Heat and his television special, "The Decision." Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports there is some data that seems to support LeBron's claim: A recent release of Q Scores, a polling system that measures popularity, appeared to support the notion. Among non-blacks, James' negative Q rating went from 24 percent to 44 after his free-agency announcement. However, among blacks, his negative Q Score slipped just from 14 percent to 15 percent. [...] Also interviewed by CNN during the segment that aired Wednesday night was James advisor Maverick Carter, the CEO of James' marketing wing, who agreed about the impact of the race factor. "It definitely played a role in some of the stuff coming out of the media, things that were written for sure," Carter said. Now, as one of the pastiest fellows to ever walk the Earth, I'm not really in position to say whether or not race was a factor in why people didn't like the way LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers. From a personal standpoint, I can assure you that I would have thought it was very poorly handled and ridiculous no matter what color LeBron was. Arrogance comes in many shades. However, what I do know is that LeBron saying that he thinks race is a factor will make his actions seem even worse to people who do think it was a factor. That is stupid on so, so many levels, but sadly, it's true. People who consider race when deciding how they feel about someone are more than happy to use these sort of statements against a person. Because they are stupid. Anyway, maybe race was a factor. The Q Scores certainly seem to support that theory. Then again, his negative rating did slip among black respondents — just not as much — and he was criticized by people such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, all of whom are black. Clearly, his moves weren't a big hit no matter the person's race. Again, as a white guy, there's no way I can know how LeBron is feeling, but I just have a hard time believing people would have been OK with what LeBron did this summer if he weren't black. And really, that's how it should be. People should hate "The Decision" because it was stupid, not because of LeBron James' race.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-01-2010, 01:13 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,461	Why am I not surprised that Lebron is now playing the race card? He just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

11-04-2010, 07:14 AM	#8
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	Lebron was the most worshiped athlete in the world since Michael Jordan, so I don't see how anyone could think that the way people feel about him now is because he's black. A lot of people didn't like him when he was playing for the Cavs, but only because he wasn't on THEIR team. The idea that people have a problem with a black athlete is crazy. As far as the WAY he left, I certainly didn't think that was the way to do it, with the ESPN show and everything (although I did hear that Lebron himself didn't make any money directly, all the proceeds went to charity, which is great). There's really nothing else out there to compare this to (the way Lebron left the Cavs). It's impossible to say how people would react if a white athlete did it this way, but that's never happened. People despised John Elway when he refused to sign with the NFL team that drafted him (Colts), but that was back in the early 80s. Granted, a different situation in a different time, but both black and white athletes can be despised by the public based on their behavior. I gotta say though, I saw a Lebron commercial the other day (Nike) and thought it was really good. It showed him trying to do all these things and asking "what do YOU (i.e. the fans) want me to do?" It was well done and funny. I don't remember what I was watching when the commercial came on. Lebron is a likable person. He'll be fine. If Kobe can come back from what HE allegedly did, then Lebron most certainly can. The other thing to remember is, Lebron DID honor his entire contract. A lot of great players haven't even done THAT.
	__________________ Straight, and VERY proud of it. No, that's OK, I don't need a parade.

10-01-2010, 12:53 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I saw this stupid story on the news tonight, and have just two words for LeMoron: "SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" What a gigantic he is.

11-01-2010, 01:40 PM	#5
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	I stopped watching basketball when Jordan retired.However when some multimillionaire,billionaire perhaps by now athlete like Lebron James uses the race card,it's just another example of how the term racist has lost all meaning.Often those that play the race card are the 'true' bigots'. Seems Lebron James is a true bigot.Unfortunately far to many black people in the public eye these days are no different.And of alot of the blame has to be put on the joke the media has become for constantly playing the race card.

11-03-2010, 11:36 PM	#6
En-you Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 03, 2010 Posts: 12	i watch basketball only,i don't know whobaby said.LBJ is great player!

11-04-2010, 11:45 AM	#9
isiahthomas Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	I saw Lebron's new Nike commercial and i like it but i'm still upset about him leaving Cleveland. If he would've stayed, Cleveland would've won some championships. The way he left Cleveland was wrong and he should've held a press conference downtown Cleveland to let the Cavs organization and the fans know that he was leaving. If he would've did it that way instead of going on tv and letting people know his decision, the Cavs organization and the fans wouldn't have been upset at him and despise him. Then again the Cavs management and the fans would've been upset with him if he had did it that way but they wouldn't hate him like they do now because of the way he did it. I also think Lebron is too impatient. I understand he wants to win a championship but it takes time for that to happen. It took Michael Jordan 7 years to win his first championship and there's been a lot of former NBA superstars that never won championships like Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Bernard King, Dominique Wilkins, Reggie Miller, Shawn Kemp, Kevin Johnson, Tim Hardaway, Stephon Marbury and the list goes on and on. Just because you don't win a championship doesn't mean that you didn't have a good career. Now Lebron is gonna jump on the bandwagon and join a team that has 2 superstars instead of trying to win a championship by himself. Now watch you're gonna start to see superstars joining other superstars to try and win a championship because of what Lebron did. That's why i agree with what Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan said about they didn't like what Lebron did. A lot of people don't like Charles Barkley's opinion but he tells it like it is and most people can't handle the truth. That's why i love him LOL. I got a book by Charles Barkley called Who's Afraid Of A Large Black Man and the book is about racism. It's very good and he interviews some celebrities and politicans to ask them their opinion about racism. He interviewed Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Tiger Woods, Morgan Freeman, Samuel Jackson, Ice Cube, George Lopez. Ya'll should check out the book. He has another book i like called I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It.

11-04-2010, 11:55 PM	#10
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,236	I saw the Nike Commercial and I liked it...it proved that LeButthead is a human...not a superhuman that he thinks he is. But flying pigs is more accurate than Cleveland ever winning...unless if Mike "The Miz" Mizanin wins a WWE Championship Belt!