“I think the first thing I thought was, ‘Wow, Ray got killed for leaving Boston, and now these guys are leaving Boston,'” James said. “I think it’s OK; I didn’t mind it. But there were a couple guys who basically [expletive] on Ray for leaving, and now they’re leaving.
“That’s the nature of our business, man. I don’t know what Boston was going through at the end of the day. I know Ray had to make the best decision for him and his family and his career. Doc, KG and Paul did that as well. You can’t criticize someone who does something that’s best for their family.”
ESPN: Heat call out ex-Celts over Ray Allen
For all of LeBron’s amazing basketball ability, he has shown a real lack of self awareness when it comes to larger basketball matters.
This time around, LeBron James has taken to calling out Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett for [expletive]ing on Ray Allen for leaving the Celtics prior to last season.
There are a couple of obvious things wrong with this scenario, though.
1: Unlike Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were traded. Allen turned down more money in Boston to go to Miami. That was his choice to make as a free agent. Paul Pierce was not a free agent. Neither was Kevin Garnett. And while the situation in Boston may have made it easier for both to accept that changes needed to be made, neither made overt demands to leave the Celtics and chase a ring.
2: Neither Pierce nor Garnett [expletive]’d on anyone. Yes, KG was terse when asked about it, saying he’d lost Allen’s number or implying that he no longer talked to Allen after the move. But there’s really no expletive that I can think of (and those who know me know I can think of a lot of them) that covers that. In fact, Garnett and Pierce seemed to go out of their way to either talk around Allen’s departure, or say practically nothing at all.
3: LeBron should just shut up about criticizing people’s reactions to player movement. Only Dwight Howard did it in a more unseemly way. This is where some self awareness kicks in. Just leave that topic alone.
I know LeBron wants to defend his teammate and turn this into a “see, they’re the same way!” thing. And I know he was probably asked the question. But you don’t have to answer every question thrown at you, and if you do, have a little awareness so you don’t sound like an ass.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
