bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

LeBron James said he did not regret branding President Donald Trump a “bum”, accusing the US leader of dividing the nation in his feud with the sports world.
NBA star James took aim at Trump on Twitter on Saturday after the president withdrew a White House invitation to the champion Golden State Warriors and star player Stephen Curry.
“U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honour until you showed up!” James wrote.
Asked if he regretted his choice of words on Monday, the Cleveland Cavaliers star gave a blunt response: “No.”
In a press conference at the Cavaliers’ preseason media day, James repeatedly referred to Trump as “that guy”, saying he had failed to bring the country together.
“First of all, I salute the NFL, the coaches, the players, the owners, the fans. Everyone had any association with the NFL was unbelievable,” James said.

U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017

<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

“There was no divide. Even from that guy that continues to try to divide us as people.
“We know this is the greatest country in the world, this is the land of the free,” James said. “But we still have problems just like everybody else. And when we have those problems, we have to figure out a way to come together and be as great as we can be as a people.
“Because the people run this country. Not one individual – and damn sure not him,” James added, referring to Trump.

James, the highest profile star in the NBA, had words of praise for the way NFL players had rallied together in protest at Trump on Sunday.
Trump to NFL owners: ‘Fire sons of b*****s who protest against the national anthem’
“First of all, I salute the NFL, the coaches, the players, the owners, the fans. Everyone had any association with the NFL was unbelievable,” James said.
“There was no divide. Even from that guy that continues to try to divide us as people.”

Tremendous backlash against the NFL and its players for disrespect of our Country.#StandForOurAnthem
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017

<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

Trump’s reaction to NFL players who protest during the national anthem showed he did not know how to lead the nation, James added.
“He doesn’t understand the power that he has for being the leader of this beautiful country,” James said.
“He doesn’t understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the President of the United States for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement.

“He doesn’t understand that. That’s what makes me more sick than anything,” added James, insisting that Trump had misunderstood the nature of the NFL protests, which were launched by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback to draw attention to racial injustice.
“It’s powerful what all these athletes are doing. It’s not about disrespect for the flag and military and people who served,” he said.
“It’s about equality and having the option and freedom to speak about things they feel are unjust.”
James meanwhile did not rule out the possibility of similar protests by NBA players next month when the league resumes.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if something trickled down to the NBA if no change happened between now and [October] the 17th,” James said.

LeBron James snubbed as an NBA All-Star Game starter for first time in 21 years

EuroLeague boss slams NBA’s ambitious European plan as a ‘bit of a broken record’

US charges 26 people with rigging college, Chinese basketball games

NBA targets US$1 billion team valuations as it courts investors for Europe league

NBA (National Basketball Association)

LeBron has no regrets over calling Trump a ‘bum’ – ‘the people run this country, not him’

LeBron James slammed Trump at a press conference. Photo: AFP

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Fans hold signs before the singing of the National Anthem before the NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Dallas Cowboys players and staff including owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett all take a knee before the singing of the National Anthem prior to the start of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News/TNS) NO MAGAZINE SALES MANDATORY CREDIT; NO SALES; INTERNET USE BY TNS CONTRIBUTORS ONLY

Dozens of NFL players kneel for US anthem, refusing to bow to pressure from Trump

Baltimore Ravens players, and former player Ray Lewis, second from right, kneel during the playing of the US national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, on Sunday. Photo: AP

Philadelphia Eagles players, owner Jeffrey Lurie, center right, Eagles' President Don Smolenski, second from left, and a Philadelphia police officer, third from left, stand for the national anthem before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Philadelphia. Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins raises his fist next to Lurie. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the Indianapolis Colts stand and kneel for the national anthem prior to the start of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP / AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Michael Reaves

Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell kneels during the National Anthem before the start of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. Bruce Maxwell of the Oakland Athletics has become the first major league baseball player to kneel during the national anthem. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Maverick NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick reveals death threats over US anthem protest

The San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick (right) and Eric Reid kneel during the playing of the US national anthem before the game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: AP

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) fan holds a sign after the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Trump to NFL owners: ‘Fire sons of b*****s who protest against the national anthem’

US president Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Alabama. Photo: Reuters

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: Martellus Bennett #80 of the Green Bay Packers raises his fist during the national anthem prior to the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) kneel during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. The blackballed quarterback was honored as Week 1 Community MVP by the players' union for his latest $100,000 donation and a back-to-school giveaway in New York City. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Robert Quinn #94 of the Los Angeles Rams raises his fist during the national anthem prior to their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==