King James signs with Miami

[OzzyKP]

I sense someone's a Wizards fan

Pistons actually. Just thought it was funny.

[Tuberski]

You know what the NBA needs? Land mines.

ACK!

[Drake Tungsten]

If I am forced to root for Kobe mother****ing Bryant in the Finals next year, I swear to Christ, I can not be held responsible for the Postal Service-style bloodbath that will ensue.

Dude, as ****ty and narcissistic as LeBron's "Decision" was, it's not like he raped some girl. Kobe Bryant is still far, far more hateable.

[Guynemer]

Well, if he did it, yes. He wasn't convicted, so I am forced to presume his innocence, despite his massive douche factor.

[Drake Tungsten]

I suppose you presume OJ is innocent, too.

[Al B. Sure!]

OJ was convicted of trying to steal his own stuff back! FREE OJ!

As for Nicole Brown Simpson, Eminem and Marcus Allen did it:

Me and Marcus Allen went over to see Nicole
When we heard a knock at the door, must have been Ron Gold'
Jumped behind the door, put the orgy on hold
Killed em both and smeared blood in a white Bronco (we did it!)

[SlowwHand]

That's kind of warped.

[ColdWizard]

LeBron = Runaway slave

CHICAGO -- Jesse Jackson criticized Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert on Sunday, saying Gilbert sees LeBron James as a "runaway slave" and that the owner's comments after the free-agent forward decided to join the Miami Heat put the player in danger.

Shortly after James announced his decision last week, Gilbert fired off an incendiary letter to Cleveland's fans, ripping the 25-year-old and promising to deliver a title before James wins one. He called James' decision "cowardly" and later told The Associated Press he believes James quit during a handful of Cavaliers playoff games.

"He has gotten a free pass," Gilbert told the AP in a phone interview late Thursday night. "People have covered up for [James] for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is."

Jackson said Gilbert's comments were "mean, arrogant and presumptuous."

"He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers," the reverend said in a release from his Chicago-based civil rights group, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. "His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner employee relationship -- between business partners -- and LeBron honored his contract."

Messages were left Sunday night seeking comment from Gilbert, the Cavaliers and James.

Jackson also called Gilbert's comments an attack on all NBA players and said the owner should face a "challenge" from the league and the players' association.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank declined comment.

[rah]

I'm sure once Gilbert offers one of Jesse's sons a job in his organization, Jesse will back off.

[-Jrabbit]

Gilbert was PO'd and let fly. I'm sure he felt betrayed, not to mention the fact that the Cavaliers franchise is estimated to have dropped in value by at least $100MM (some estimates say $250MM!!) at the moment King James announced his decision.

Still, I gotta admit, in this case, the Rev. Jesse has a point regarding the ownership mentality.

This whole thing is transactional in nature. LeBron exercised his free agent rights, and Gilbert exercised his right of free speech. James may not have shown loyalty, but the league put a price on that (one extra year, about $25MM or so). Clearly, that wasn't enough to get him to stay in Cleveland. Not surprising, given the outside income options for a top player like him.

So now King James -- and Dan Gilbert -- will live with the fallout from their choices, whatever that may be.

[Ming]

I didn't know that slaves were paid that well

[rah]

Still, I gotta admit, in this case, the Rev. Jesse has a point regarding the ownership mentality.

Would you say the same thing if "the King" was white?

I suspect Gilbert would have said the same thing. So in my opinion the slave thing is just Jesse doing his normal ****.

[Ben Kenobi]

Man, you better not let Obama hear you said that.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I don't think the President and the Reverend are all that close... at least not anymore.

[-Jrabbit]

Would you say the same thing if "the King" was white?

I suspect Gilbert would have said the same thing. So in my opinion the slave thing is just Jesse doing his normal ****.

Yes, I would. And I agree that Gilbert likely would. The whole concept of players as property is a product of an era when blacks weren't even allowed to play.

Of course, Jesse Jackson probably wouldn't notice it if a black man weren't involved.