When LeBron James departed Cleveland for the Miami Heat on the now-infamous “The Decision” television broadcast, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert fired back with an equally-infamous letter to his organization’s fans, condemning James for a “cowardly betrayal.”
The once-again Cavaliers superstar and catalyst of the club’s lone championship will never forget that letter.
In a wide-ranging feature from GQ’s Mark Anthony Green, James opened up about that letter, believing it to be racially motivated.
“Um, I did. I did [think the letter was racial]. It was another conversation I had to have with my kids,” James told GQ. “It was unfortunate, because I believed in my heart that I had gave that city and that owner, at that point in time, everything that I had. …
“I don’t really like to go back on that letter, but it pops in my head a few times here, a few times there. I mean, it’s just human nature. I think that had a lot to do with race at that time, too, and that was another opportunity for me to kind of just sit back and say, ‘Okay, well, how can we get better? How can we get better? How can I get better?’ And if it happens again, then you’re able to have an even more positive outlook on it.”
The full story touches on a number of topics both on and off the court. Here are a few of the highlights.
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Being an African-American in America
James was candid when speaking about black in the United States – even if you’re a famous person.
“I have to go home and talk to my 13- and 10-year-old sons, even my two-year-old daughter, about what it means to grow up being an African-American in America. Because no matter how great you become in life, no matter how wealthy you become, how people worship you, or what you do, if you are an African-American man or African-American woman, you will always be that.”
This worldview fuels James’ belief that he must speak out on social issues.
“It’s my responsibility. I believe that I was put here for a higher cause. We have people, not only today but over the course of time, that have been in the higher positions that chose to do it and chose not to do it.”
“I don’t talk about injuries”
In Game 4 of the 2015 Finals against the Golden State Warriors, James fell into camera and cracked his head open on it. He was seen bleeding but was patched up and went back into the game.
As he tells Green, James actually got glue to stop the bleeding because he didn’t want staples. This resulted in his head not healing proper leaving a scar that he kept under wraps until now.
Why wouldn’t he reveal this in the first case?
“Because we don’t talk about injuries. I don’t talk about injuries.”
How LeBron can surpass Jordan
Given James’ longevity and consistency of excellence he has definitely entered the “greatest of all time” discussion along with the man who most peg as the “GOAT,” Michael Jordan.
James has admitted before he wants to try to surpass Jordan and he explained to Green how he might eventually do that.
“If I was the most consistent and was at the top of the food chain more than anybody in NBA history.”
