After LeBron James announced he would not be returning to Cleveland, Cavilers owner Dan Gilbert wrote an open letter to Cavs fans criticizing LeBron. Now, African American activist Jesse Jackson has come to LeBron’s defense. According to Jackson, Gilbert views LeBron as a “runaway slave” and “speaks at the “owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavilers.” Jackson went on to say “His feelings of betrayal pesonify a slave master mentality. This is an owner employee relationship- between business partners- and LeBron honored his contract.”
Jackson believes Gilbert should face a “challenge” from the league and players’ association for his “mean, arrogant, and presumptuous comments.”
Dan Gilbert issued a statement on Monday after Jesse Jackson called him a slave master for his remarks about LeBron James leaving Cleveland. Gilbert responded: “I strongly disagree with Rev. Jesse Jackson’s recent comments and we are not going to engage in any related discussion on it. Going forward, we’re very excited about the Cavaliers and positive future of our region.”
Gilbert may have put an end to Jesse Jackson’s comments, but now he must answer to League Commissioner David Stern. At the owners’ meeting in Las Vegas, Stern fined Gilbert $100,000 saying his remarks were “extreme.”
Now fans are offering to help out Gilbert. A Cavaliers spokesperson has said the team has received thousands of phone calls and E-mails offering to help pay the fine.
At 9:00ET LeBron will make his announcement on which team he is going to sign with. ESPN had dedicated an hour long special. LeBron has met with six teams, but only three are in serious contention.
Miami: Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have already said they will sign with the Heat causing many to speculate that LeBron has already made up his mind. Last week, rumors swirled that the three had met in Miami for a summit. LeBron going to Miami means less money. While LeBron going to the Heat would mean he would play alongside Wade and Bosh, that’s about all he would be playing against, and Miami would still need to bring in other players.
Chicago: The Bulls have already signed Carlos Boozer, but will they sign LeBron? ESPN columnist, Bill Simmons said if LeBron wanted to win his best shot would be to sign with Chicago. Chicago has already cleared enough cap space to give LeBron the big money contract he would not get in other favorite Miami.
Cleveland: While the Cavs may not have signed Wyade and Bosh or even Boozer, Cleveland is home to LeBron. LeBron has stuck with the Cavs for the past 7 years. While Cleveland can offer LBJ a big money contract they cannot offer him a championship. Despite having the best record in the NBA for past 2 years, they have not been able to win a championship. The Cavs just hired a new coach in Bryon Scott. Leaving Cleveland may hurt LeBron’s legacy more so than not winning a championship in Cleveland. Other NBA Greats like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Kobe Bryant stayed with their teams and won championships as opposed to leaving.
Day 7 of NBA Free Agency and no word from LeBron….. but that isn’t stopping Betty White from trying to coax the most coveted free agent in NBA history to stay in Cleveland. Betty White has a new show Hot in Cleveland and addresses the LeBron James free agency rumors.
For Cleveland’s sake, hopefully Betty White was as convincing as she was with the SNL people!
Jersey Chaser of the Month: Samantha Steele- December 2012
ESPN sideline reporter Samantha Steele is engaged to Minnesota Viking QB Christian Ponder earning her the honor of December 2012 Jersey Chaser of the Month. Share It
After LeBron James announced he would not be returning to Cleveland, Cavilers owner Dan Gilbert wrote an open letter to Cavs fans criticizing LeBron. Now, African American activist Jesse Jackson has come to LeBron’s defense. According to Jackson, Gilbert views LeBron as a “runaway slave” and “speaks at the “owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavilers.” Jackson went on to say “His feelings of betrayal pesonify a slave master mentality. This is an owner employee relationship- between business partners- and LeBron honored his contract.”
Dan Gilbert issued a statement on Monday after Jesse Jackson called him a slave master for his remarks about LeBron James leaving Cleveland. Gilbert responded: “I strongly disagree with Rev. Jesse Jackson’s recent comments and we are not going to engage in any related discussion on it. Going forward, we’re very excited about the Cavaliers and positive future of our region.” 
At 9:00ET