LeBron James, Kevin Durant's 'decisions' drew hate because of racism: JJ Redick

Both LeBron James and Kevin Durant faced immense criticism and backlash when y joined Miami Heat (2010) and Golden State Warriors (2016). Both players were labelled as selfish as y chose ar team to join and were referred to as 'arrogant'. During a recent interview with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks, New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard JJ Redick gave his opinion on ir decisions, claiming that reaction y faced was due to racism in NBA. 

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While talking to Rooks, 36-year-old veteran claimed that backlash after James' and Durant's decision came because white people became uncomfortable with a famous black man who was in a position of power and made his own choice. In 2010, James left his home team Cleveland Cavaliers to play with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh at Miami Heat, while Kevin Durant departed from Oklahoma City Thunder to join Steph Curry and Golden State Warriors in 2016. Redick stated while people spoke about both players taking 'easy way out', re was an underlying reason for ir reaction. Redick added that he 'really believes' people were 'uncomfortable with powerful black men making a decision for mselves'. Pelicans star was talking about James being blamed for taking easy way out by playing with Wade and Bosh and called out Durant for playing for team who beat m in playoffs. 

Redick furr spoke about issues dating back to 'systemic racism in our society'. As per Redick, criticism was a result of lack of control from people in Ohio and Oklahoma, who disapproved of ir decisions. After James' live ESPN TV special, his jerseys were burned and billboards were torn down as people called player 'selfish' and 'arrogant' after his anuncement. Durant also met with criticism as he was called out on social media, while he received a hostile welcome in Oklahoma after joining Warriors. While Redick admitted that re is always a backlash when sports is involved, he pointed out that James and Durant's decisions altered entire game as it made a dynasty out of one team while or was left helpless. 

James played with Miami Heat for four years, where he led team to two back-to-back NBA championships and four consecutive finals appearances. He returned to Cleveland for a second time, where he led m to ir first NBA title in 2016. Durant, like James, won back-to-back titles with Warriors.

James left Cavaliers for second time in 2018 for Los Angeles Lakers after ir 4-0 loss against Warriors during 2018 NBA Finals. Durant played with Warriors for ar season before signing with Brooklyn Nets through free ncy last year. James will arrive in Orlando for NBA restart on Thursday, while Durant is sidelined for entire season due to his Achilles injury. On or hand, Redick was averaging 14.9 points per game before season was suspended on March 11 and recently arrived at Orlando with Pelicans. 

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LeBron James Decision ESPN TV Special from 2010

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(Im source: AP, NBA stats official Twitter)