Lebron calls Celtics fans racist

[tenn_smoothie]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

[gouki88]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

Lol at 'All Lives Matter'.

Hmm. Interesting. I'm sure African-Americans, Irish Americans, Chinese Americans, Japanese Americans and plenty more have thought the country was a bit more divided when they were enslaved, or it was legal to bar them from buildings, jobs, public utilities, goods, and services just due to their ethnicity.

But now that some elements of society want to try and address these things that have occurred for centuries, all of a sudden America is focused on race like never before? Give me a break!

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

[86MaxwellSmart]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

Don't listen to the CNN fans....The media wants us divided so they keep bringing up race.

[pokeKingCurtis]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I'm not in the States (I'm an Asian who's lived in Asia most my life, where these issues aren't as hotbutton), so hopefully what I'm saying doesn't amount to whataboutism or isn't nuanced or whatnot and I apologize in advance if it is.

But aren't you peeved that Lebron amounts "f--- you Lebron" to racism? Doesn't it cheapen the experiences of people who actually faced racism?

It's kind of like Kyrie trying to rile up people in the middle of the 2021 playoff series.

I guess black people should get the benefit of the doubt to some extent, as we'll never fully understand what they're facing or be able to walk in their shoes. But I feel like to some extent Lebron and Kyrie kind of took advantage of the situation.

[Goldstar88]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I'm not in the States (I'm an Asian who's lived in Asia most my life, where these issues aren't as hotbutton), so hopefully what I'm saying doesn't amount to whataboutism or isn't nuanced or whatnot and I apologize in advance if it is.

But aren't you peeved that Lebron amounts "f--- you Lebron" to racism? Doesn't it cheapen the experiences of people who actually faced racism?

It's kind of like Kyrie trying to rile up people in the middle of the 2021 playoff series.

I guess black people should get the benefit of the doubt to some extent, as we'll never fully understand what they're facing or be able to walk in their shoes. But I feel like to some extent Lebron and Kyrie kind of took advantage of the situation.

“Boston is racist as hell, they had F-LBJ shirts and someone threw a a beer at me after one of the games.”

 

[gouki88]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I'm not in the States (I'm an Asian who's lived in Asia most my life, where these issues aren't as hotbutton), so hopefully what I'm saying doesn't amount to whataboutism or isn't nuanced or whatnot and I apologize in advance if it is.

But aren't you peeved that Lebron amounts "f--- you Lebron" to racism? Doesn't it cheapen the experiences of people who actually faced racism?

It's kind of like Kyrie trying to rile up people in the middle of the 2021 playoff series.

I guess black people should get the benefit of the doubt to some extent, as we'll never fully understand what they're facing or be able to walk in their shoes. But I feel like to some extent Lebron and Kyrie kind of took advantage of the situation.

What advantage did they gain?

[Rondo9]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I'm not in the States (I'm an Asian who's lived in Asia most my life, where these issues aren't as hotbutton), so hopefully what I'm saying doesn't amount to whataboutism or isn't nuanced or whatnot and I apologize in advance if it is.

I really dislike that term, it's something Twitter users use when they're losing arguments.

[Rondo9]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I think all sides are being rather fragile. 

[pokeKingCurtis]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I'm not in the States (I'm an Asian who's lived in Asia most my life, where these issues aren't as hotbutton), so hopefully what I'm saying doesn't amount to whataboutism or isn't nuanced or whatnot and I apologize in advance if it is.

But aren't you peeved that Lebron amounts "f--- you Lebron" to racism? Doesn't it cheapen the experiences of people who actually faced racism?

It's kind of like Kyrie trying to rile up people in the middle of the 2021 playoff series.

I guess black people should get the benefit of the doubt to some extent, as we'll never fully understand what they're facing or be able to walk in their shoes. But I feel like to some extent Lebron and Kyrie kind of took advantage of the situation.

What advantage did they gain?

At risk of Stephen A Smith levels of speculating, which I guess is all we can really do, but I really hate how much of a farce they made out of this, and how I just can't* stand that they are the face of actual issues:

Maybe they want the spotlight, and were acting in bad faith. I feel like that's partly the case for Kyrie. I think there were some reports that his comments were kind of inconsistent (https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-kyrie-agai/). Kyrie also said what he said in the middle of the Celtics-Nets series in 2021, and later stomped on Lucky, after obviously falling out with the Celtics in 2018 for whatever reason.

I also feel LeBron to some extent wants to feed his own ego. The way he announced going to South Beach, the way he responds to some of the actual issues, then this.

Maybe they genuinely feel they were wronged, but in both cases their versions of the story to some extent don't match up with reality (Lebron especially).

[gouki88]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I'm not in the States (I'm an Asian who's lived in Asia most my life, where these issues aren't as hotbutton), so hopefully what I'm saying doesn't amount to whataboutism or isn't nuanced or whatnot and I apologize in advance if it is.

But aren't you peeved that Lebron amounts "f--- you Lebron" to racism? Doesn't it cheapen the experiences of people who actually faced racism?

It's kind of like Kyrie trying to rile up people in the middle of the 2021 playoff series.

I guess black people should get the benefit of the doubt to some extent, as we'll never fully understand what they're facing or be able to walk in their shoes. But I feel like to some extent Lebron and Kyrie kind of took advantage of the situation.

What advantage did they gain?

At risk of Stephen A Smith levels of speculating, which I guess is all we can really do, but I really hate how much of a farce they made out of this, and how I just can't* stand that they are the face of actual issues:

Maybe they want the spotlight, and were acting in bad faith. I feel like that's partly the case for Kyrie. I think there were some reports that his comments were kind of inconsistent (https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-kyrie-agai/). Kyrie also said what he said in the middle of the Celtics-Nets series in 2021, and later stomped on Lucky, after obviously falling out with the Celtics in 2018 for whatever reason.

I also feel LeBron to some extent wants to feed his own ego. The way he announced going to South Beach, the way he responds to some of the actual issues, then this.

Maybe they genuinely feel they were wronged, but in both cases their versions of the story to some extent don't match up with reality (Lebron especially).

I'm not sure it's possible for LeBron to be given any more spotlight regardless of what he says. Countless other professional athletes across different codes have said similar things about Boston, even Marcus Smart has experienced it!

Just not sure what there is to gain.

Kyrie is a different case altogether. He is a completely irrational person, so it's not quite the same.

[JSD]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I'm not in the States (I'm an Asian who's lived in Asia most my life, where these issues aren't as hotbutton), so hopefully what I'm saying doesn't amount to whataboutism or isn't nuanced or whatnot and I apologize in advance if it is.

But aren't you peeved that Lebron amounts "f--- you Lebron" to racism? Doesn't it cheapen the experiences of people who actually faced racism?

It's kind of like Kyrie trying to rile up people in the middle of the 2021 playoff series.

I guess black people should get the benefit of the doubt to some extent, as we'll never fully understand what they're facing or be able to walk in their shoes. But I feel like to some extent Lebron and Kyrie kind of took advantage of the situation.

What advantage did they gain?

At risk of Stephen A Smith levels of speculating, which I guess is all we can really do, but I really hate how much of a farce they made out of this, and how I just can't* stand that they are the face of actual issues:

Maybe they want the spotlight, and were acting in bad faith. I feel like that's partly the case for Kyrie. I think there were some reports that his comments were kind of inconsistent (https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-kyrie-agai/). Kyrie also said what he said in the middle of the Celtics-Nets series in 2021, and later stomped on Lucky, after obviously falling out with the Celtics in 2018 for whatever reason.

I also feel LeBron to some extent wants to feed his own ego. The way he announced going to South Beach, the way he responds to some of the actual issues, then this.

Maybe they genuinely feel they were wronged, but in both cases their versions of the story to some extent don't match up with reality (Lebron especially).

I'm not sure it's possible for LeBron to be given any more spotlight regardless of what he says. Countless other professional athletes across different codes have said similar things about Boston, even Marcus Smart has experienced it!

Just not sure what there is to gain.

Kyrie is a different case altogether. He is a completely irrational person, so it's not quite the same.

More bad publicity to a rival city and franchise is what James gains from this, and he also falsely props himself up as a modern day Muhammad Ali who really “tells it like it is”.

The real question is, what does he have to lose? Absolutely nothing, anytime LeBron James is in position to actually lose something by speaking out, he is totally MIA. He’s an absolute, unremitting clown.

I have far more respect for Kyrie Irving who actually stood for something and lost out because of that stance.

[pokeKingCurtis]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I'm not in the States (I'm an Asian who's lived in Asia most my life, where these issues aren't as hotbutton), so hopefully what I'm saying doesn't amount to whataboutism or isn't nuanced or whatnot and I apologize in advance if it is.

But aren't you peeved that Lebron amounts "f--- you Lebron" to racism? Doesn't it cheapen the experiences of people who actually faced racism?

It's kind of like Kyrie trying to rile up people in the middle of the 2021 playoff series.

I guess black people should get the benefit of the doubt to some extent, as we'll never fully understand what they're facing or be able to walk in their shoes. But I feel like to some extent Lebron and Kyrie kind of took advantage of the situation.

What advantage did they gain?

At risk of Stephen A Smith levels of speculating, which I guess is all we can really do, but I really hate how much of a farce they made out of this, and how I just can't* stand that they are the face of actual issues:

Maybe they want the spotlight, and were acting in bad faith. I feel like that's partly the case for Kyrie. I think there were some reports that his comments were kind of inconsistent (https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-kyrie-agai/). Kyrie also said what he said in the middle of the Celtics-Nets series in 2021, and later stomped on Lucky, after obviously falling out with the Celtics in 2018 for whatever reason.

I also feel LeBron to some extent wants to feed his own ego. The way he announced going to South Beach, the way he responds to some of the actual issues, then this.

Maybe they genuinely feel they were wronged, but in both cases their versions of the story to some extent don't match up with reality (Lebron especially).

I'm not sure it's possible for LeBron to be given any more spotlight regardless of what he says. Countless other professional athletes across different codes have said similar things about Boston, even Marcus Smart has experienced it!

Just not sure what there is to gain.

Kyrie is a different case altogether. He is a completely irrational person, so it's not quite the same.

More bad publicity to a rival city and franchise is what James gains from this, and he also falsely props himself up as a modern day Muhammad Ali who really “tells it like it is”.

The real question is, what does he have to lose? Absolutely nothing, anytime LeBron James is in position to actually lose something by speaking out, he is totally MIA. He’s an absolute, unremitting clown.

I have far more respect for Kyrie Irving who actually stood for something and lost out because of that stance.

Exactly this regarding LeBron. (Specifically the bit about Muhammad Ali)

[tenn_smoothie]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

My All Lives Matter response was simply an answer to your loaded question.
I would more likely consider the Black Lives Matter stance as an example of psychological manipulation.
All I did was give a specific example of an atrocious double standard. So sorry it did not measure up to your high expectations.

[moiso]

This country has become obsessed with race.
You are your race first and then whoever you are as a person second.
This obsession has just made things worse.

Yes, there is a certain percentage of people who are racist - who judge someone's character based on their race and that alone, when I believe we should be judged on our behavior and the values we hold as important.  There are plenty of people within each racial group who exhibit bad behavior and whose values are atrocious. There are plenty of people on all sides who are racist as well. The double standards that go unchallenged are also part of the problem. People who do speak up face all types of negative consequences.

Speak up for what, exactly? The shut up and dribble take?

No, the "you're fired" take for uttering the words, All Lives Matter.


And Gouk, no, I would not say since the beginning. We have never been so focused on race as the country is now - not even close.
This obsession has created more divisiveness, again from all sides.

I’m pretty sure All Lives Matter takes the cake for least thoughtful response in this thread. I believe that this post is a guaranteed Bingo win, though I’m curious to see how much further people will display white fragility. All Lives Matter may be the greatest example of gaslighting that we have.

I'm not in the States (I'm an Asian who's lived in Asia most my life, where these issues aren't as hotbutton), so hopefully what I'm saying doesn't amount to whataboutism or isn't nuanced or whatnot and I apologize in advance if it is.

But aren't you peeved that Lebron amounts "f--- you Lebron" to racism? Doesn't it cheapen the experiences of people who actually faced racism?

It's kind of like Kyrie trying to rile up people in the middle of the 2021 playoff series.

I guess black people should get the benefit of the doubt to some extent, as we'll never fully understand what they're facing or be able to walk in their shoes. But I feel like to some extent Lebron and Kyrie kind of took advantage of the situation.

What advantage did they gain?

At risk of Stephen A Smith levels of speculating, which I guess is all we can really do, but I really hate how much of a farce they made out of this, and how I just can't* stand that they are the face of actual issues:

Maybe they want the spotlight, and were acting in bad faith. I feel like that's partly the case for Kyrie. I think there were some reports that his comments were kind of inconsistent (https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-kyrie-agai/). Kyrie also said what he said in the middle of the Celtics-Nets series in 2021, and later stomped on Lucky, after obviously falling out with the Celtics in 2018 for whatever reason.

I also feel LeBron to some extent wants to feed his own ego. The way he announced going to South Beach, the way he responds to some of the actual issues, then this.

Maybe they genuinely feel they were wronged, but in both cases their versions of the story to some extent don't match up with reality (Lebron especially).

I'm not sure it's possible for LeBron to be given any more spotlight regardless of what he says. Countless other professional athletes across different codes have said similar things about Boston, even Marcus Smart has experienced it!

Just not sure what there is to gain.

Kyrie is a different case altogether. He is a completely irrational person, so it's not quite the same.

More bad publicity to a rival city and franchise is what James gains from this, and he also falsely props himself up as a modern day Muhammad Ali who really “tells it like it is”.

The real question is, what does he have to lose? Absolutely nothing, anytime LeBron James is in position to actually lose something by speaking out, he is totally MIA. He’s an absolute, unremitting clown.

I have far more respect for Kyrie Irving who actually stood for something and lost out because of that stance.

In my opinion Irving gained.  He got paid for not going to work.  We'd all like to lose out in that manner.  If he was an otherwise solid citizen he'd have whatever contract he desired.