LeBron James doesn’t want any part of meeting with New York Knicks president Phil Jackson despite his Cleveland Cavaliers visiting the Big Apple Wednesday.
James spoke out against Jackson last month for comments about James during his days with the Miami Heat, as well as those around James, whom Jackson referred to as a “posse.”
Reporters have asked James if he wants to use Wednesday’s game as a chance to meet with Jackson, with his reaction after a simple “no” captured by ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin:
“Didn’t affect me, just know how much further we still have to go and how far we still have to go as African-Americans, even in the light of today,” James said. “For me, I’ve built my career on and off the floor on the utmost respect, and I’ve always given the utmost respect to everyone — all my peers, people that’s laid the path for me and laid the path for coaches, players, things of that nature.”
“I’ve always given respect to them, and it’s always, like I told you before, it’s always shade thrown on me, so. It means we got a lot more work to do, myself and the team. We’ve got to continue to protect each other and continue to just be as great as we can be.”
James went on to say the situation with Jackson won’t change how he approaches the game against the Knicks. Either way, it’s clear James has said what he needs to say on the matter and a meeting with Jackson wouldn’t sway his beliefs.
The 14-5 Cavaliers take on the 11-9 Knicks Wednesday at 8 p.m. with James as the central figure, Jackson not far behind.
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