AP Photo/Ben Margot
LeBron James is not a fan of fans burning jerseys, and on Thursday he made his feelings heard through a series of tweets.
The ordeal started after the Cavaliers and Celtics pulled off a huge trade that would sent Kyrie Irving to Boston and Isaiah Thomas and others to Cleveland. Over the past two years Thomas had become the face of the franchise in Boston, finishing third in the league in points per game and leading the team to the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Thomas was traded through no fault of his own — it was a decision made by the Celtics front office, and there was no word that Thomas had requested a trade, as there was with Irving in Cleveland. But despite Thomas’ stellar play and seemingly high approval ratings in Boston through the course of last season, Celtics fans still took to the streets and posted videos on social media of them burning his jersey once the trade was officially announced.
LeBron, bewildered, got a jump on defending his new teammate.
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/900755017631543296
The burning of the jersey thing is getting ridiculous now! The man was traded. What do u not understand? & played in a game after …..
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/900755311245443072
sister tragic death. Gordon Hayward paid he’s dues as well and decided to do what’s best for him and family. Put in the work, got better….
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/900755603298988033
Became an All-Star, etc!! If these guys weren’t good, u guys would be the first to say “get them up out of here”. Man beat it! When “we”….
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/900756057160536064
decide to do what best for us it’s “cowardly” “traitor”, etc but when it’s on the other side it’s “business” huh!?!? Ooh ok. Man do…..
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/900756410295656452
what u feel is best for your profession, love, family, happiness and continue to #StriveForGreatness🚀 #Salute
LeBron is no stranger to jersey burning. After his iconic “Decision,” fans took to the streets of Cleveland disowning their hometown hero and setting his jersey ablaze. James also knows that many of these same fans welcomed him back with open arms.
Fans are fickle, and nobody knows that more than LeBron.
It’s also worth noting that when the trade went through and LeBron found out that his teammate Kyrie Irving would be heading to Boston, he retweeted a fan who posted a video that thanks Irving, rather than burning his jersey.
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/900185763718897664
That’s the only way to be to the kid! Special talent/guy! Nothing but respect and what a ride it was our 3 years together Young Gode #Filayy https://t.co/wKYmYsmdgG
The Celtics and Cavaliers meet in the very first game of the 2017-18 season. While we don’t know how fans will react to Kyrie in green, it’s safe to assume it will be nothing but love and sportsmanship between him and LeBron.
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