NBA champion James says he won’t stop talking about “things that aren’t right” after criticism from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James has attacked Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, saying there is no reason why he can’t have such a big effect on the basketball court as he does on she.
James has been a force for social change in the United States, focusing much of his attention on police brutality and racial injustice against African Americans.
He was outspoken about Jacob Blake’s police shooting in Wisconsin last year and against former President Donald Trump, and worked with other NBA stars to try to get blacks to vote during the recent U.S. election. bring Joe Biden to power.
“I speak from a very polite mind. I’m the wrong kind of going to do it because I do homework, ”James said Friday after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 102-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night.
James responded to Ibrahimovic’s comments earlier this week that athletes should “stay out” of politics, mentioning James by name and calling him by his political activism.
“[LeBron] it’s phenomenal in terms of it, but I don’t like people to have some kind of status, to go and do politics at the same time, ”Ibrahimovic said.
In a UEFA interview for Discovery + in Sweden, the Frankish striker said it was a “mistake” when athletes get out of their lane.
“I don’t do politics … This is the first mistake people make when they become famous and are in a certain status. Keep it out. Do what you do best because it doesn’t look good, ”Ibrahimovic said.
“Powerful” voice
James helped found the organization More Than a Vote, which boosted voter turnout in black areas. The group organized more than 40,000 volunteers to work at the polls during the November federal election.
James says winning championships is one thing, but inspiring and empowering people and bringing Americans together is just as rewarding.
“After all, I would never keep quiet about things that don’t work well. I pray about my people and about equality, social injustice, racism, the suppression of voters. Things that happen in our community, ”James said.
“There is no way I can just stay in sports. I know how powerful my voice is. “
James said he likes to think it’s the start of something much bigger in sports.
“You see young guys talk about things they consider unfair,” he said.
“For a long time, we heard:“ As athletes, you should be grateful to be able to throw a ball, dribble it, swing a baseball bat. You shouldn’t be able to talk about anything else. ‘
“It simply came to our notice then. It won’t be like that for a long time. “
James also made it clear that he was aware of comments made in 2018 by Ibrahimovic, the Swedish-born son of Bosnian father and Croatian mother.
“It’s the guy who told Sweden he was talking about the same things, because his last name wasn’t one [traditional Swedish] last name, I felt there was some racism when I went out on the field, ”James said.
In fact, Ibrahimovic told Canal Plus that “covert racism” caused the Swedish media and public to treat him with less respect and reverence.
“It exists, I’m 100% sure because I’m not Andersson or Svensson. If that were the case, trust me, they would defend me even if I stole a bank. “