Nick Wass/AP
LeBron James and his agent, business partner, and friend Maverick Carter took issue with New York Knicks President Phil Jackson referring to James' group of friends and business partners as his "posse."
In an interview with ESPN's Jackie MacMullan, Jackson answered a question about James' decision to leave the Miami Heat in 2014.
Among other things, Jackson said James likes "special treatment" and "needs things his way." While discussing one of Miami's trips to Cleveland, Jackson criticized James for trying to alter the Heat's travel plans "because you and your mom and your posse want to spend an extra night in Cleveland."
On Tuesday, James responded forcefully to the comments, saying he lost respect for Jackson, noting the two don't have a prior relationship. He also said Jackson's comments hurt because he's developed successful businesses off the court and put friends in positions of power. Via ESPN:
"It just sucks that now at this point having one of the biggest businesses you can have both on and off the floor, having a certified agent in Rich Paul, having a certified business partner in Maverick Carter, that's done so many great business [deals], that the title for young African-Americans is the word 'posse.'"
James added, "For me, we see the success that we have, but then there is always someone that lets you know still how far we still have to go as African-Americans."
James said he doubts that Jackson would have used that comment if he was referring to another group of people.
"I don't believe that Phil Jackson would have used that term if he was doing business with someone else and working with another team. Or if he was working with anybody in sports that was owning a team that wasn't African-American and had a group of guys around [him and] didn't agree with what they did, I don't think he would have called them a posse. But it just shows how far we have to go."
Carter also responded, telling ESPN's Dave McMenamin that he took issue with Jackson's use of the word "posse."
"It's the word 'posse' and the characterization I take offense to. If he would have said LeBron and his agent, LeBron and his business partners or LeBron and his friends, that's one thing. Yet because you're young and black, he can use that word. We're grown men."
Carter also took to Twitter to reinforce his point:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/798293856487809024
All the hard work,effort and achievement and @PhilJackson11 still calls us a "posse"every step you take they remind you, you ghetto" @S_C_ pic.twitter.com/OPsPvAvFoM
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/798319595614511104
Let me be clear I'm not saying @PhilJackson11 is racist,, I'm calling out his disrespectful language
James also noted the definition of "posse," saying, "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. It's not what I stand for, it's not what my family stands for. I believe the only reason he used that word is because he sees young African-Americans trying to make a difference."
James said if Jackson says that to the media, he can "only imagine" what he would say behind closed doors.
While Jackson might not have meant to use the word in a racially charged way, it demonstrates a lack of judgment. James is not only one of the NBA's best players, but is also highly successful off the court.
Jackson has to help rebuild the Knicks, and saying such things about James could have a ripple effect for impending free agents. It also can't help that Carmelo Anthony is best friends with James.
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