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NBA Rumors: LeBron James may distance himself from Roger Mason comments

By Josh Hill

May 12, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; American director Spike Lee talks with Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) before the game against the Brooklyn Nets in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; American director Spike Lee talks with Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) before the game against the Brooklyn Nets in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; American director Spike Lee talks with Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) before the game against the Brooklyn Nets in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; American director Spike Lee talks with Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) before the game against the Brooklyn Nets in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

With Donald Sterling remaining as owner of the Los Angeles Clippers for the meantime, players around the league are waiting for him to be removed so the real healing process can begin. NBAPA president Roger Mason has been outspoken in the radical lengths he’s willing to go in order to make sure Sterling is removed, and he dragged LeBron James into it yesterday by claiming the Miami Heat star is ready to sit out games next year if the situation isn’t fixed.

According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, we could see LeBron speak out against the comments or at the very least distance himself from them as we are looking at a potentially nuclear situation. 

Boycotting isn’t a joke and while some may see it as warranted here, once the pin has been pulled from that grenade there is absolutely no turning back. A universal boycott to support one team and it’s players is a powerfully unifying gesture, but it may not be one that is best for business.

LeBron may be clued into what will really happen with Sterling, and if they boycott until he’s removed we could go years without basketball. Sterling is looking like he may sue the NBA for ownership of the Clippers which means a lengthy legal battle that could drag out for years.

While fans would support a temporary boycott of Sterling, it seems hard to believe that a metaphorical hunger strike would benefit anyone, as while it sends a message from the wealthiest in the NBA, it will end up hurting more players than it will help the cause of removing Sterling from ownership.