NBA champion James says he will not stop talking about “things that are wrong” after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s criticism.
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James has attacked Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, saying there is no reason why he can’t have as much of an effect off the basketball court as he does.
James was a force for social change in the United States, focusing heavily on police brutality and racial injustice against African Americans.
He was outspoken about Jacob Blake’s police shootings 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 that they brought Joe Biden to power.
“I speak with a very polite mind. I’m the wrong guy I’m going to, because I’m doing my homework, “James said Friday, after the Los Angeles Lakers won 102-93 against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
James was responding to Ibrahimovic’s comments earlier this week that athletes should “stay out” of politics, mentioning James by name and calling him his political activism.
“[LeBron] it’s phenomenal in what he does, but I don’t like it when people have a kind of status, they go and do politics at the same time “, said Ibrahimovic.
In an interview with UEFA for Discovery + in Sweden, the open striker said it was a “mistake” when the athletes left their band.
“I don’t do politics … This is the first mistake people make when they become famous and reach a certain status. Stay away from that. Just do what you do best because it doesn’t look good, “Ibrahimovic said.
“Strong” voice
James helped establish the organization More than a Vote, which stimulated voting in the Black Zones. 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.
“At the end of the day, I would never keep quiet about things that are wrong. I preach about my people and I preach about equality, social injustice, racism, the suppression of voters. Things that happen in our community, “said James.
“There is no way to behave just in sports. I know how strong my voice is. ”
James said he likes to think it’s the beginning of something much bigger in sports.
“You see young boys talking about things they feel are unfair,” he said.
“For a long time, I heard,” as athletes, you should be grateful to be able to throw a ball, dribble a ball, 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 the case for long. ”
James also said that he was aware of the comments made in 2018 by Ibrahimovic, the Swedish son of a Bosnian father and a Croatian mother.
“He’s the guy who said in Sweden, he was talking about the same things, because his last name wasn’t [traditional Swedish] the last name, he felt that something racist was happening when he went out on the field “, said James.
Indeed, Ibrahimovic told Canal Plus that “undercover racism” has led the media and the Swedish public to treat him with less respect and respect.
“This is there, I’m 100% sure because I’m not Andersson or Svensson. If I were like that, trust me, he would defend me even if I robbed a bank. ”