Growing up, many basketball fans were in awe of sports great Michael Jordan. He was an icon, a leader on and off the court, and a player who demanded respect from his teammates and those throughout the league.
Many people have compared the Los Angeles Lakers’ star forward LeBron James to Jordan. Clearly, LeBron’s skills on the court are extraordinary. However, it is his conduct off the court that has forever tarnished his “legacy.” More particularly, LeBron’s recent dangerous and irresponsible tweet proves once and for all why he will never “be like Mike,” and why he should not be the face of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
While James has done some wonderful things to help people, such as opening a school for at-risk youth in Akron, Ohio, he has, on more than one occasion, injected himself into the political sphere with some very controversial and reckless comments. James is no Jordan.
Most recently, James posted and subsequently deleted a tweet concerning a fatal shooting involving a 16-year-old girl who was attempting to stab another girl with a knife. As reported by The Daily Wire, in response to the incident:
NBA star LeBron James posted a photograph on social media on Wednesday of the police officer who allegedly shot and killed a 16-year-old girl in Columbus, Ohio, writing, “YOU’RE NEXT. #ACCOUNTABILITY.”
LeBron’s tweet was nothing short of disgraceful. It reflected a lack of understanding regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the present volatile, combustible environment throughout the nation. As the investigation is just getting underway, how could James immediately blame the police officer? In this case, bodycam video appears to show the officer acted to defend another female from being stabbed.
Is James saying that the officer acted improperly in defending the victim? Does he not recognize the explosive environment that currently exists within the country? Does he not understand that his word carries tremendous weight and influence with millions of people who follow him throughout the world? Did he not also realize the potential risks associated with his incendiary, foolish tweet? Also, why did he choose to delete his tweet only after facing intense backlash?
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This is not the first time James has made inflammatory comments. In 2019, he expressed his opinion about Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey’s tweet supporting pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. At the time, some argued that James put “business” ahead of his concerns for social justice. Specifically, James stated:
“I’m not here to judge how the league handled the situation. I just think that, when you’re misinformed or you’re not educated about something — and I’m just talking about the tweet itself — you never know the ramifications that can happen. We all see what that did, not only did for our league but for all of us in America, for people in China as well. Sometimes you have to think through the things that you say that may cause harm not only for yourself but for the majority of people. I think that’s just a prime example of that.”
“My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it.”
Obviously, James didn’t learn from his prior “mistake.” While the tweet in 2019 was distasteful and hypocritical, his recent tweet about the Ohio shooting showed a complete and utter disregard for the brave officer and for the young female victim. The impact of the tweet was akin to throwing gasoline on a fire. That he has since deleted the tweet does not quell the flames he ignited.
Unlike James, Jordan’s conduct off the court was commendable. Given his fame and popularity, he was a good role model for children and adults alike. As a matter of fact, many people wanted to “Be Like Mike” and would oftentimes be heard singing the famous song from the Gatorade commercial:
Sometimes I dream
That he is me
You’ve got to see that’s how I dream to be
I dream I move, I dream I groove
Like Mike
If I could Be Like Mike
Like Mike
Oh, if I could Be Like Mike
Be Like Mike, Be Like Mike
Given James’s controversial off-court comments, including his recent reprehensible tweet, these lyrics simply don’t apply to the basketball star.
James will never be like Jordan. Not by a long shot.
