Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James responds to Fox News host Laura Ingraham’s criticism of his anti-Trump remarks at NBA All-Star weekend
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LeBron James is not faltering in his message to conservative Fox News host Laura Ingraham after she told him to “shut up and dribble.” Although he can’t actually remember her name.
“I will not just shut up and dribble,” the Cleveland Cavaliers player said after the NBA All-Star practice in Los Angeles on Saturday. “So, thank you, whatever her name is… I get to sit up here and talk about what’s really important and how I can help change kids.
“It lets me know that everything I’ve been saying is correct for her to have that type of reaction,” James told reporters.
Also Read: Laura Ingraham Under Fire After Telling ‘Ignorant’ LeBron James to ‘Shut Up and Dribble’
“But we will definitely not shut up and dribble. I mean too much to society, I mean too much to the youth, I mean too much to so many kids that feel like they don’t have a way out and they need someone to help lead them out of the situation they’re in,” the three-time NBA Finals MVP said.
“We know it’s bigger than us. It’s not about us,” he added. “I’m going to continue to do what I have to do to play this game that I love to play, but this is bigger than me playing the game of basketball.”
Also Read: Kevin Durant Says Laura Ingraham’s ‘Shut Up and Dribble’ Diss ‘Was Racist’
Ingraham has already come under heavy fire for criticizing James and fellow NBA star Kevin Durant for making anti-Trump comments in an interview with ESPN’s Cari Champion for UNINTERRUPTED, which was filmed in January.
Durant will join James on his Team LeBron for the All-Star game Sunday night, and also shared his opinion on the issue.
Also Read: Ellen Pompeo Challenges Laura Ingraham to a Fight Over LeBron Diss
“I feel like everybody has a voice, especially with our own platforms, we can use our voices for good. It’s not just me,” the Golden State Warriors player and nine-time All-Star said. “I feel like everybody in this room has a voice and it’s getting louder and louder every day, so we’ve got to speak what we believe in, we’ve got to speak our truths, and we’ve got to keep it real out here.”
Durant said in a previous statement that he thought Ingraham’s on-air comments were “racist,” while James responded in a simple Instagram post on Friday, stressing “I am more than an athlete.”
#wewillnotshutupanddribble
A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Feb 16,2018 at 7:47pm PST
Ingraham also issued the following statement on the matter, obtained by TheWrap, saying: “In 2003, I wrote a New York Times bestseller called ‘Shut Up & Sing,’ in which I criticized celebrities like the Dixie Chicks & Barbra Streisand who were trashing then-President George W. Bush. I have used a variation of that title for more than 15 years to respond to performers who sound off on politics.
“I’ve told Robert DeNiro to ‘Shut Up & Act,’ Jimmy Kimmel to ‘Shut Up & Make Us Laugh,’ and just this week told the San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich to ‘Shut up & Coach.’ If pro athletes and entertainers want to freelance as political pundits, then they should not be surprised when they’re called out for insulting politicians.
“There was no racial intent in my remarks — false, defamatory charges of racism are a transparent attempt to immunize entertainment and sports elites from scrutiny and criticism. Additionally, we stated on my show that these comments came from an ESPN podcast, which was not the case — the content was unaffiliated with ESPN.”
12 Best Slams in NBA All-Star Dunk Contest History, from Dr. J to MJ (Videos)
Julius Erving (1976) — Dr. J arguably did more to popularize the slam dunk than any other basketball player, and it all started with the move that won the 1976 dunk contest for the ABA. Though free-throw line dunks are more common now with more athletic players, you can’t deny the artistry that comes with being the first.
Anthony “Spud” Webb (1986) — Standing only 5 feet 7 inches and going up against defending champion Dominique Wilkins, Webb pulled out an array of dazzling dunks before topping it off with a bounce, catch and backhanded dunk to become the shortest man ever to claim the title.
Michael Jordan (1987) — Voted to his third straight All-Star Game, it can be said that MJ broke out as a superstar after showcasing his athletic ability and clinching his first slam dunk title. His third dunk, a windmill during which he leaned into the air and seemed to fly, became one of his lasting images.
Michael Jordan (1988) — Having already won the contest the previous year, the man called by many as the greatest player to ever live set out to top himself. Honoring the great Dr. J, Jordan influenced a generation of young players by bringing the free throw line dunk back into the mainstream. He also became the first player to ever win back-to-back dunk titles.
Dominique Wilkins (1990) — A nine-time NBA All-Star, Wilkins was one of the biggest stars of the 1980s and early ’90s, especially known for his dunking abilities. A rare mixture of agility and power, Wilkins showcased both with this backboard-rattling power windmill move.
Vince Carter (2000) — The dunk contest hit a bit of a skid in the ’90s, but Carter brought it back with a vengeance in his All-Star debut, wowing the crowd with an array of athletic moves (including a 360 windmill) before bringing everybody to their feet with a move they likely hadn’t seen before.
Jason Richardson (2003) — There’s so much going on in this dunk that it defies explanation. One of the best dunkers of the 2000s, Richardson manages to combine the bounce, catch, between the legs and behind the back for the finishing dunk of the 2003 contest. Any one of these moves makes a good dunk, but all together, they make one of the best slams in the history of the contest. Richardson would win again in 2004, becoming the first player to do so since Michael Jordan.
Jason Richardson (2004) — Reigning champ Richardson pulled off a repeat by capping a dazzling display of athleticism with an off-the-backboard, between-the-legs dunk that drew immediate perfect scores from the judges.
Nate Robinson (2006) — At 5 feet 9 inches, Robinson is one of the shortest players to win the dunk contest, and he is the only one to ever win it three times. His first win is undoubtedly his best, in which the diminutive (by NBA standards) point guard dunked OVER former champion Spud Webb with a one-handed catch and dunk.
Dwight Howard (2008) — So what if it’s not technically a dunk. You know what? We’re counting this! Dwight Howard upped the showmanship factor by donning the iconic Superman cape, catching the ball in mid-flight, then THROWING the ball into the basket.
