SoutheasternOhioPreps.com

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Reacts to Dan Gilbert’s Open Letter

CHICAGO (July 11, 2010)—“Mr. Dan Gilbert's accusations, expressed in an open letter to LeBron James after his announcement that he will play next year’s NBA season for the Miami Heat, have legal and social implications for the league, its union and the character of LeBron James. By saying that he has gotten a free pass and that people have covered for him way too long, Gilbert suggests that LeBron has done something illegal or illicit.

He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner employee relationship--between business partners--and LeBron honored his contract.

He must know the Curt Flood suit, which changed plantation rules and created free agency; and the Spencer Haywood suit that changed eligibility rules.

If he believes that LeBron quit in games 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals, then, why did he fire the coach? If he believes that LeBron intentionally quit, determining the outcome of those games, why did he pursue him and offer him and additional $120 million to stay in Cleveland?

These accusations endanger LeBron. His jersey is being burned in effigy, and he is being projected as a betrayer by the owner.

When players or coaches speak disrespectfully to or about referees, they are fined. If Mr. Gilbert cannot prove that LeBron changed games by quitting, he defames his character. He should have to face a challenge by the NBA and the players association. LeBron has every right to an apology.

Other players cannot just watch this as if it is LeBron’s personal problem. This is an attack upon players in general.

LeBron is not a child, nor is he bound to play on Gilbert’s plantation and be demeaned. He has been a model citizen and has inspired the children of Akron, Cleveland, the State of Ohio and the United States.

He has conducted camps for children, helped to win a gold medal for our nation and his public deportment has been excellent.

Mr. Gilbert's statement is mean, arrogant and presumptuous.

I hope that LeBron will speak up and speak out clearly and forcefully.”

I think Gilbert should be fined. One part of that caught my eye and I was just talking about it the other day. If LBJ quit in the series against the Celtics then why would you want him back. The answer to that question is Money. The only reason Gilbert wanted LBJ is money, Gilbert could care less if they win a championship, he just like to sell tickets.

For 120 million I will take a job on Gilbert's plantation. It is hard for me to make a victim out of a guy making millions of dollars. I don't see Jackson worried about people making less then minimum wages, but no publicity there. All three of these guys make me sick. LeBron crying cause everyone isn't happy for him, Gilbert crying because the rich brat didn't get what he wanted and Jackson trying to find a pay day. The losers are the fans that paid these guys with their hard earned money.

I could care less weather he gets fined or not

Does any one really give a crap about Jesse Jackson anymore.

He is just using this to get his name out again in a flash.

Nobody cares what Jesse Jackson has to say anymore.

I guess Jackson saw this as a chance to let people know he is not dead. His adding the slave reference made his whole statement a joke. That is why I posted it. Maybe Al Sharpton will add his thoughts and why LeBron didn't go to the Knicks.

Jesse Jackson = JOKE!!!!

I didn't even realize he was still alive! Can Reverend Al be far behind?

Jessie Jackson is a joke...Anyone remember when he came to WV not to long ago how that girl said those three boys did all kinds of stuff to her, and only to find out she lied. Where was Jackson to issue a apology two those three boys. Jackson just needs to be quiet for once.

Jesse Jackson...

i didn't even read it, i just wanted to say i couldn't give a big rats butt , what the owner or lebron said. just glad football is right around the corner. the end.

Rebels on 3 wrote:I think Gilbert should be fined. One part of that caught my eye and I was just talking about it the other day. If LBJ quit in the series against the Celtics then why would you want him back. The answer to that question is Money. The only reason Gilbert wanted LBJ is money, Gilbert could care less if they win a championship, he just like to sell tickets.

I'm with you totally! LBJ is a horrible person in Gilbert's eyes now because he will lose all the money that ONLY LBJ generated for him. Bad part is that Gilbert did very little to create a winning team or get LBJ help or he would have never left to go to Miami. Hickson has potential but other than that none of the Cavs will ever be All-Star caliber or even close, Williams was because of LBJ for one year but fell off when teams finally started guarding him a little. Lebron made the Cavs what they are, made Gilbert alot of money, tried to ask for help and accepted the best offers he was presented with but ultimately all of the help he was offered were second rate players or WAY out of their prime. (jamison, shaq) Anyone remember the Amare deal earlier this year and how Lebron wanted it to go through but then along came Jamison out of nowhere ending all talk of bringing in someone that could actually help the team. The Cavs will struggle now but don't blame Lebron, blame the front office that has all the money in the world to work with but isn't devoted to creating a winner and during a little adversity showed their true colors losing all respect from anyone playing the game. Lebron did what all fans want to see good players do...... swallow their pride a little, play for less money, and put a product on the floor that is fun to watch and exciting with a willingness to share the spotlight.

As for Jesse Jackson, yeah he is an idiot and may actually have a future with Gilbert and his front office people. They just got off to a rough start!

You are right JChipwood, the Cavs did show their true colors. If anything they are sore losers. I believe they lost alot of respect in the NBA, as a owner Dan Gibert should have said we lost a great player in LeBron James and thank him for his time he spent with the Cavs, and we look foward to build a good team, but he had to make an A** of himself, and what prime time NBA player would want to play for an owner that acts like that?

typical racist comment from the head slave.

Lebron should have thanked the fans in Cleveland for making him millions of dollars, as far as been great, watch the last game against Boston and tell me how many championships he won Cleveland. He won as many as Cazzie Russell, Brad Daurghty and Price who all had pretty good numbers while at Cleveland.

From the interviews I saw he did thank the people of Cleveland for their SUPPORT but his money was not given to him by the people of Cleveland. He didn't sit back and let people just earn him money without doing any work in return like an owner or gm of a team, he played the game and earned money from his ability. He didn't win a championship but nobody has ever won one alone and even though Gilbert tries to make it sound like he did alot to help, he brought in mediocre players to help out and relied on Lebron to do it all along with a coach that tried nothing to get Lebron off the ball or utilize any aspect of the team game other than let LBJ have at it and make the others better.

He did quit against Boston but that is one game (a very big game) in 7 years and I think we all know the background behind that by now. No excuse but still one game. The great Kobe used to quit on his team once a week when he was the only "man" on his team and had to do it all. Championships do not measure individual greatness of one player, if a guy is good then he is good if a team is good then they compete for a championship. Lebron is a great player with easily the most athletic ability to go with size that sports have probably ever seen, is he the best ever? Not even close but he is definitely the best 25 year old ever!

Charge, that dont matter he made Cleveland what it is today without winning a championship. People say Lebron cant win the big game, well no one can if they dont have any help. There has never been a team win a championship with just one superstar on their team. LeBron would have had to been out of his mind not to leave the Cavs. The fans of Cleveland should thank Lebron for making a Cleveland team worth talking about.

Rebels on 3 wrote:. People say Lebron cant win the big game, well no one can if they dont have any help. There has never been a team win a championship with just one superstar on their team

Rick Barry 1974-75 Goldenstate Warriors swept Washington Bullets.

95% of people dont even know who Rick Barry is. Also look at teams and player from that time and compare to now.