@gatorking @NYC Rebel @FTBS
If this thread is about a generalised human tendency to succumb to mass hysteria, get caught up and live vicariously through the melodrama of stars, and how white people feel entitlement and ownership over black sports stars (It goes without saying that race was a factor but in this instance it wasn't the root it was a catalyst.) then we can talk in broad terms about every sports related controversy and public overreaction to them and the things you're saying would be entirely right. We'll pile truisms on truisms and call it a day.
But you insult your own intelligence by acting as if all parties involved weren't aware of the rules of the game and Lebron had no say in how the narrative unfolded.
Like Lebron didn't know that the whole world was watching and the tv special wouldn't invite more scrutiny.
Like he wasn't aware that he was and remains far and away the biggest thing in basketball.
Like he couldn't imagine how the media would turn up the dial to 11 and reap the benefits.
Like the dramatism involved in the way he made the reveal didn't give the media everything they would need; the tension, the soundbites, the quote the clips, to fan the flames and turn him into an effigy.
But then of course maybe he genuinely was naive and these things hadn't occurred to him, at least not entirely. The fact that he's come out and said he'd have done things differently suggests that he believes had he done so, the outcome would have been different. If he can accept his hand in the hysteria why can't you?
Nobody is (or at least they shouldn't be) mad about the decision now but that's how hysteria works. Its always followed by amnesia. But lets not act like people in 2010 were looking around acting surprised at what was going on even if they did think it was ridiculous.
) but 
you exactly why. He made a hoe ass decision in the most hoe-ish of ways..
