By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Lebron James commented on Donald Trump saying that he finds kneeling during the national anthem to be “disgraceful” and that he turns off the game when he sees that during a game.
“I really don’t think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership and viewing the game,” James said after being asked about Trump’s remarks. “That’s all I got to say. I’m not going to get into it… because I already know where this can go and where it leads to tomorrow for me.”
“Trying to make me laugh right now? I appreciate that,” James said with a laugh on Trump’s repeated statements that nobody has done more for the black community than any president besides Abraham Lincoln.
“I think that our game is in a beautiful position and we have fans all over the world,” James elaborated. “Our fans not only love the way we play the game – we try to give it back to them with our commitment to the game – but also respect what we try to bring to the game and acknowledging what’s right and what’s wrong. And I hope that everyone no matter the race, no matter the color, sees what kind of leadership we have at the top of our country. And understand that November is right around the corner. And it’s big moment for us as Americans. If we continue to talk about what we want. Better more change. We have the opportunity to do that.”
The vast majority of NBA players and coaches have been kneeling during the anthem in the games of the NBA restart as a symbolic protest against racism. Trump had told the following to FOX News on that action: “I think it’s disgraceful. We work with [the NBA]. We work very hard trying to get them open. I was pushing them to get open. And then I see everyone kneeling during the anthem. It’s not acceptable to me. When I see them kneeling, I just turn off the game. I have no interest in the game.”
“The game will go on without his [Trump’s] eyes on it,” James said without mentioning Trump’s name. “I can sit here and speak for all of us that love the game of basketball: We could care less.”