‘LeBron James and Kevin Durant subjected to racism’ says JJ Redick in emotional rant

JJ Redick calls out racism for hatred towards Lebron James and Kevin Durant when they made the switch to Miami Heat and Golden State respectively.

Pelicans star Redick mentioned that Lebron and Durant made the white people uncomfortable as the two stars became the talking point of the entire league.

Lebron’s ‘TheDecision’ show was criticized by his fans around the world, especially in Cleveland. He quickly went from a hero to a villain in a short span of time. Although James delivered on his promise in 2016 by winning a championship with the Cavs, the hatred towards ‘The Decision’ is discussed till date.

Also Read: Did LeBron James really say he hates white people?

Durant was also thrown under the bus by critics when he left Thunders to join the Golden State in search of his first ring.

Critics stated that Durant went to the Warriors to win an ‘easy ring’. The Warriors had won the championship in 2015 but lost to the Cavs in a shocking manner. Durant was met with pure vitriol from the Thunders fans upon his return to their home arena. Durant led the Warriors to 2 championship victories in 2017 and 2018.

Redick on racism towards LeBron James and Kevin Durant

The fight against racism in America has been at an all-time high ever since George Floyd was killed under police custody.

NBA stars have been pretty vocal about the racist inequality prevalent in the USA. Redick claims that NBA superstars Lebron and Durant were also a victim of this when they switched teams in 2010 and 2016 respectively.

“It wasn’t even just the conversations. I experienced it with them”@jj_redick recalls seeing his Black AAU teammates experience racism while growing up with them. Watch the full conversation with @TaylorRooks https://t.co/WgUzP0C7ZZ pic.twitter.com/h8gJDmn6Oc

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 9, 2020

The fact that two powerful black men were making strong choices for themselves didn’t go down well with the fans and the critics. Redick feels, society couldn’t watch how these 2 black superstars had the power to do what they wanted to do.

Redick said the following:

“Kevin Durant in 2016 when he joined the Warriors. LeBron James when he makes “The Decision.” There’s always this group of fans that want to make the argument ‘oh, he took the easy way out. He went and joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. Or (in Durant’s place) he went and joined a team that had just beat him in the (NBA) playoffs.’… But I think an underlying reason for the reaction to Kevin and LeBron making those decisions is because people were uncomfortable with powerful black men making a decision for themselves. I really believe that.”

Read more: LeBron James Diet Plan- What does the Lakers star have in a day?

What’s next for LeBron and Durant?

LeBron James and his Lakers are the top favorites to win the NBA championships this year. The Lakers are currently on the summit of the western conference. Lebron was playing some of his best basketball before the lockdown. The NBA superstar looked to be one of the front runners in the MVP conversation.

Durant has been sidelined this season with a torn Achilles Tendon he aggravated when he played for the Warriors against the Raptors in the NBA finals last year. Durant joined the Nets this off-season. The former Warriors’ star and Kyrie will hope to challenge for the NBA title next season with a newly-looking Nets outfit.

Read more: Nets star liked anti-semite Instagram post

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Tanishk Thilakan