Charles Oakley Tells Cavaliers Fans to Blame the Roster, Not LeBron James
· Yahoo Sports
Charles Oakley has a blunt message for Cleveland Cavaliers fans upset that LeBron James chose the Philadelphia 76ers over a third stint with his hometown team, get over it and take a closer look at Cleveland’s roster.
During a new TMZ Sports interview, the Cleveland native defended James’ pursuit of a fifth championship and argued that his decision should not be interpreted as a rejection of Northeast Ohio.
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TMZ Sports spoke with Oakley at the 17th Annual Amazon Kids Back-to-School Fashion Show in New York City.
Oakley said James deserves admiration for remaining committed to winning as he prepares for his record-breaking 24th NBA season at age 41.
Oakley Says Cleveland Should Examine Its Own Team
When asked how Cavaliers fans should respond after James selected Philadelphia, the former NBA forward rejected the idea that supporters should criticize the four-time champion. “Get over it,” Oakley said.
He argued that James should be respected for continuing to chase championships so late in his career and described him as an example for younger athletes.
Oakley then directed attention toward the Cavaliers, suggesting that their current roster provides the answer for anyone wondering why James believed Philadelphia offered the stronger opportunity.
A Fan Survey Shows the Decision Still Hurt
A recent Fear the Sword survey found that nearly three-fourths of participating readers viewed James more negatively after he chose Philadelphia. The survey reflected responses from members of the SB Nation Cavaliers community rather than a scientific measurement of every Cleveland fan.
Many fans had accepted the possibility that James would finish his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Expectations shifted after he announced that he would leave Los Angeles and Cleveland emerged as one of the teams he was seriously considering.
Fear the Sword acknowledged that fans were entitled to feel disappointed but argued that James had already fulfilled his defining promise to the region by leading the Cavaliers to the first NBA championship in franchise history in 2016.
James Seriously Considered Returning to Cleveland
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James’ agent, Rich Paul, confirmed that Cleveland was one of four destinations considered alongside Philadelphia, Miami and Golden State. Paul said James experienced an “emotional roller coaster every single day” while weighing a return to organizations with which he had deep personal connections against the possibility of beginning a final chapter somewhere new.
“Home is home,” Paul said of Cleveland during an appearance on his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman. According to People’s account of Paul’s remarks, Philadelphia became considerably more attractive after the 76ers acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. “Ultimately, Philadelphia makes a move and then boom! Now you got Jaylen Brown,” Paul said.
“Now hold on, wait a minute now. This looks a lot different.” Brown joined a roster that already included Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. James announced on July 24 that he would sign with Philadelphia, and the move became official on July 27. He reportedly agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract containing a player option.
James Chose Philadelphia to Chase Another Championship
James said he had strongly considered retiring after completing his eighth season with the Lakers. He ultimately decided that he still loved the game and wanted another opportunity to compete for a championship. “This is my last decision,” James wrote while announcing his move. “I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?”
He said he still wanted to make the sacrifices required to compete and believed he could help transform Philadelphia into a championship team. James also made clear that choosing Philadelphia did not change his relationship with his home region, writing that Northeast Ohio “will always be home.”
Oakley Believes James Has Already Delivered for Cleveland
James entered the NBA as Cleveland’s first overall draft pick in 2003 and played his first seven seasons with the Cavaliers before leaving for Miami in 2010.
He returned in 2014 and led Cleveland to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. The Cavaliers’ comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Finals delivered the city its first major professional sports championship in 52 years.
James has also remained connected to Northeast Ohio through education and community initiatives, including the I Promise School and programs serving children and families in Akron.