James slams Trump on race

Associated Press

INDEPENDENCE

On a day for reflecting on race in America, LeBron James considered Martin Luther King Jr.’s ultimate sacrifice.

A life given for love.

“He had a vision and he took a bullet for all of us,” James said.

Before Monday’s game against Golden State, James said honoring King’s memory and message is more vital than ever.

“For us to stand here even though we’re trying to be divided right now by somebody, today is a great day for people to realize how America was built and how we all have to stand united in order to be one,” he said. “Especially as Americans because we believe, we all know and we all believe, this is the greatest country in the world.”

That “somebody” James was referring to is President Trump, whom the Cavaliers star has openly criticized in the past. While not saying Trump’s name, James again made he opposes some of the president’s rhetoric.

Trump is marking his first King holiday in office buffeted by claims he used a vulgarity to describe African countries and questioned the need to allow more Haitians into the U.S.

“The state of racism will never die, but what we cannot do is allow it to conquer us as people. We can’t allow it to divide us,” said James, the four-time league MVP.