Jackson Comments Intentional and Lebron Bit

Friendship is something all people hold dear. Some more than others. But ever since Lebron James was in the third grade, he has surrounded himself by the same group. Notice I said group.

James has stuck with the same crowd. Sure others have come and gone, but the core of friends has stayed the same. They have been loyal to James, and vice versa. They are close and stay together, personally and professionally. That’s why when Phil Jackson made the comments he did, it struck a nerve inside James.

James movements cause tremors throughout the NBA. The first time was when he left Cleveland, the second when he decided to return. What’s ironic is the way it’s perceived by the media covering the league. Dan Gilbert was vilified for his reaction when James went to South Beach. It became a national scandal, especially on ESPN. Players called the Cavs owner someone they would never play for. Yet now the league, primarily Jackson, feels sorry for Pat Riley?

“It had to hurt when they lost LeBron,” Jackson said. “That was definitely a slap in the face. But there were a lot of little things that came out of that. When LeBron was playing with the Heat, they went to Cleveland, and he wanted to spend the night. They don’t do overnights. Teams just don’t. So now (coach Erik) Spoelstra has to text Riley and say, ‘What do I do in this situation?’ And Pat, who has iron-fist rules, answers, ‘You are on the plane. You are with this team.’ Jackson added “You can’t hold up the whole team because you and your mom and your posse want to spend an extra night in Cleveland.”

The national media today is scrutinizing Lebron’s response. What’s pathetic in the statement, besides the “posse” remark, is that him leaving Miami was a “slap in the face” to Riley. Where was that sentiment nationally to Gilbert in 2010?

After the infamous letter Gilbert wrote, The NBA fined Gilbert $100,000. Then-NBA Commissioner David Stern called Gilbert’s words, “understandable, ill-advised and imprudent.” Jesse Jackson came down on Gilbert, even Dwayne Wade. Yet in the end, all left the Heat and Pat Riley. Riley drove them all away.

Yes Riley has won championships. Many of them. He deserves respect around the league. So does Phil Jackson. Yet in this case, with the past few months of a Presidential campaign behind us, the words we choose are very important. Maybe more so than ever.

Jackson is a cerebral man, a devout thinker and calculated. He knows how to bring out the best in others. He was able to work wonders when Kobe and Shaq hated each other. Then wrote a book criticizing Kobe, yet he was able to return to the Lakers bench and coach the superstar to three more titles. He knows what he’s doing.

So to think the Head of the Knicks basketball operations made an error in word usage during an interview with ESPN is silly. Jackson knew the term “posse” would inflict the pain he wanted. And Lebron took the bait.

“To use that label, and if you go and read the definition of what the word ‘posse’ is, it’s not what I’ve built over my career,” James told reporters. “It’s not what I stand for. It’s not what my family stands for. And I believe the only reason he used that word is because it’s young African-Americans trying to make a difference.”

The definition of the word “posse” is “a body of men, typically armed, summoned by a sheriff to enforce the law. The body of men in a county whom the sheriff could summon to enforce the law. A group of people who have a common characteristic, occupation, or purpose.”

You could say Lebron’s group of friends are a “group of people who have a common characteristic, occupation, or purpose.” LRMR Management Company was formed in 2006. On page one of their website it simply states, “A Bond formed in grade school….A Partnership forged in loyalty.” This friendship has permeated time, and appears to be ever-lasting. Jackson’s words, however intentional or not, were hurtful to Lebron and his friends.

The past campaign has opened wounds in this country. Wounds that will be hard to mend. Some may take a lifetime. Jackson knew that. For whatever reason, he wanted to cause a rift. Jackson is not someone who speaks lightly.

James is well liked around the league by the players and coaches. Jackson is not. James has friends. Jackson has few. It’s evident James, and LRMR Management will not be working with the Knicks in the near future. Not as long as Phil Jackson is there. And maybe that is Jackson’s end game after all.

Dave Mitchell co-hosts with Mark Donahue the UST talk show “Ohio Baseball Weekly,” highlighting the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds. The Show is at 9pm every Monday evening. He also does Play by Play of High School sports. If you have a comment on this or any other article,email Dave at dmitch@ultimatesportstalk.com or on twitter @ohbbcohost or @ultsportstalk.