LeBron James has been the top dog in the NBA for the majority of his career, which has led to him causing pain and suffering for many opposing fanbases. LeBron has been public enemy number one for many, but perhaps no fanbase has had a more contentious relationship with the King than the Celtics fanbase.
LeBron had some legendary battles with the Celtics during his first stint with the Cavaliers, with Kendrick Perkins, who played for those Celtics, admitting that he was terrified of going up against LeBron. James also spoke more about his first stint in Cleveland during the latest episode of The Shop, as he stated he had to build the culture there as a rookie, as the team had no culture when he arrived.
It is a testament to his greatness that he turned things around for them so quickly, and they gave those Celtics teams fits during the postseason in the late 2000s. Tensions often flared up during those playoff series, and the King later on in the episode was asked about his hatred for Celtics fans, and he called them racist.
(starts at 22:05 mark):
“Because they racist as f**k, that’s why. They will say anything, and it’s fine. I mean, f**k, it’s my life, I’ve been dealing with them my whole life. I don’t mind it. I hear it, if I hear someone close by, I check them real quick. I move on to the game, whatever the f**k. They going to say whatever the f**k they want to say. They might throw something, I got a beer thrown on me leaving a game.”
When Maverick Carter brought up the fact that there were fans wearing F**k LeBron Shirts, James added “Yeah, it’s like a ‘F**k LBJ’ T-shirt. I believe they probably sold it at the f***ing team shop.”
There is a long history of athletes accusing Celtics fans of racism, and it is a sad state of affairs. Being passionate and supporting your team is fine, but there is a line that must not be crossed, and far too often, it has been in Boston.
LeBron is also speaking out here despite being a minority owner of the Boston Red Sox, having joined Fenway Sports Group, which owns the team, as a partner last year. It will no doubt ruffle some feathers within that fanbase, but it is about time that things change in Boston.
