I love this man. I love his voice.  I love what he stands for. I love that he stands up for what he believes in. I love that he speaks his truth.  I love that he doesn’t like saying “his name.” If you haven’t listened to the entirety of King James’ press conference today, you should.

He’s the best player in the NBA. He’s the most exciting and explosive player the game has seen in a decades. He plays with reckless abandon, is unselfish and makes the players around him better. He’s charismatic, eloquent, charming and funny. He’s charitable, giving and philanthropic. He’s put 1,300 kids through school donating almost 45 million dollars.  His teammates, peers and coaches adore him.  He vocally stood up to Donald Sterling, is standing up to President Trump, and he loves the game of basketball. He’s a model citizen, he’s as real as they come, he has two children with his wife and high school sweetheart.  He is the poster child of the game we love. If you HATE Lebron, which I so often hear, take a look in the mirror.

These protests aren’t about disrespecting the flag, or the men and women who have put their lives on the line for this country, it’s about equality, it’s about the state of our nation, it’s about what is just, right and verdant.  It’s not a statement or a protest if it doesn’t make people uncomfortable.  That’s why the locking of arms doesn’t do much for me.  It just doesn’t make anyone uncomfortable.  In an arena where far too many athletes over the years have been afraid to voice their opinion, Lebron is changing the game. Lebron’s voice matters and today his voice was powerful. I love that Lebron and Kapernick have made so many people uncomfortable. Remeber the words of Martin Luther King, “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.” Fight on Lebron, Fight on!

With nothin’ but love, Michael W. Leach