From Distance: LeBron’s Clear Message (How’s Our Political Efficacy?)

Four point play…

1. This past Sunday, I accompanied my girlfriend to a local school where she fulfilled her civic duty. She didn’t mentor children in some weekend activity. She didn’t help organize a fundraiser for the school district. Nope. She voted.

See, we live in Germany and here in Germany, voting day is Sunday. In what may seem to be a shocking state of affairs, the world did indeed continue to turn as democratic elections were held on the weekend.

The actual process was rather similar to what I have experienced in America. A bunch of folks trickled in and out holding coffees. Dogs and children were kept in the hallway or outside by friends and family. The election volunteers were pleasant as they checked IDs and home registration. It was essentially the same atmosphere as that in which I cast my first vote in Mentor, Ohio.

The biggest difference? Everyone was so chill. There wasn’t a look of panic in any faces as they checked their watches. No business casual attire was to be seen. No one was afraid of getting fired for missing work. The lack of rush made it go quickly. By the time I was finished with my coffee, she was done.

These folks took their Sunday stroll past the Berlin Marathon to the local school, spent five to 10 minutes contributing to the democratic process, and subsequently played fetch with their dogs and/or children thereafter.

Any election process isn’t perfect. I’m sure Germany has its fair share of issues, but a simple day change would go a long way to helping American voter turnout. Then again, certain political parties would actually want to have a higher voter turnout for that to be a priority.

Instead, it seems the American democratic process should be only limited to a few. At least that is what President Trump’s message has been throughout his term in office.

The democratic process isn’t just limited to actual voting. It is an entire system of governance. Yes, a primary function is to elect and replace government by the rule of the people. But another primary function is to allow and insure the right to participate in political discussion and civic life. This is a hallmark of democracy.

2. When one declares that an athlete, actor, or “non-serious” person(whatever that means) shouldn’t comment about political issues, let alone protest a political viewpoint, that person is actively denouncing the democratic process. That same person is likely to pridefully speak on love of country and freedom. “They fought and died for our freedom!”. Yes. And that is what freedom looks like.

Maybe, just maybe, we could occasionally speak of those who fought for policy change and lived for our freedom. The US military is not the sole defender of a political concept. We should live democratically each day. That doesn’t stop if one happens to have an extremely accurate jump-shot.

These athletes are doing their part to promote freedom and democracy. Bravo to the NBA and specifically, the entire Warriors’ organization, Gregg Popovich and Northeast Ohio’s own LeBron James.

Gregg Popovich has lent the same leadership and integrity that has led the Spurs to incredible success to this political climate. His consistent support and empathetic understanding of folks from varying cultural backgrounds have both ensured his basketball success and provided a voice of reason in difficult times.

But he’s just a coach! Yes, that and a veteran of the United States Air Force. That makes a huge difference to some people. Perhaps, it gives him more first-hand knowledge, but it doesn’t give him more of a right as a person to voice his opinion. That right is for all.

That’s the point of democracy. I believe Pop to be an exceptional human being who, regardless of military background, is well-informed, thoughtful and ultimately looking out for his fellow man.

Young athletes across the NFL and NBA, most of whom are black men, have decided to use their social status as a platform to communicate their political views. They are openly taking part in the democratic process.

NBA media day was full of difficult conversations. The two biggest faces in the NBA world, LeBron James and Steph Curry, displayed their integrity while delivering differently toned messages. Steph and the rest of the Warriors have mostly been strongly “diplomatic” in their conversations.

LeBron has been as direct as one could be, and I have never been a bigger fan of the man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76SQu12bf9I

“I wish I owned an NFL team right now, I’d sign him(Kaepernick) today.”

“It’s not about the disrespect of the flag and our military and everybody that has made this world free. It is about equality, and people having the option and the freedom to speak upon things that they feel is not just.”

Not a lot to add to that. Thanks LeBron.

3. LeBron went on to discuss his new teammates. He seemed particularly excited about the prospect of playing with Derrick Rose. You all know I’m incredibly skeptical of Rose’s potential contribution, but LeBron’s belief in him is certainly a positive.

An additional teammate reportedly on the way is Dywane Wade. Obviously, Wade didn’t choose to join the Cavaliers because of the 2.3 million dollar contract they were able to often him. The opportunity to play next to LeBron and a bevy of shooters is most appealing to the future Hall-of-Famer.

Wade wasn’t spectacular in his lone season with the Chicago Bulls. He was in and out of the lineup throughout the regular season, and many believed he was finished for the year after injuring his elbow in March. Instead, Wade returned for the playoffs. Combining with Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo, Wade and the Bulls were up 2-0 against the Celtics in Round 1. Rondo’s playoff injury ultimately led to the Bulls’ demise, but Dywane showed he still had a bit in the tank.

At 35 years old, it’s clear that Wade shouldn’t play heavy regular season minutes. There isn’t any reason to make him do any heavy lifting, especially considering the depth on the roster. Still, Wade is a very important addition as a ball-handler and premiere off-ball cutter.

Wade has never played with the kind of floor-spacing that Channing Frye, Kyle Korver, J.R. Smith and LeBron can provide. Even at 75% of his previous athleticism, he should be incredibly effective in the pick and roll, and as a cutter.

4. More than anything, LeBron has another friend and old pro on the squad. This particular group of guys seem to really get along. Yes, they have just started practice and with a team this deep, it is only a matter of time before a few guys feel a little underused. Still, with the geriatric, professional nature of the guys on the roster, one would assume that an equal distribution of minutes would be a good thing.

The Cavs are going to have to do some roster shuffling to make this all work. The new two-way contracts will help to keep the younger guys in shape and ballin’ even if the big squad is full. Koby Altman will have to cut a guy in order to make room for Wade on the training camp roster. Kendrick Perkins is a likely candidate basketball-wise, but I get the feeling he is there for a reason beyond his on-court play.

Regardless, we know it can’t be Cedi Osman. Beyond the optimism surrounding his potential and his guaranteed contract, he is just too darned cute to cut.

With the additions of Jose Calderon, Cedi Osman, and Ante Zizic, the Cavaliers have gotten more international. As the Spurs have shown us, more cultural diversity translates to better production on the floor. These guys have different styles that may help solve certain X and O problems.

Different cultures offer different perspectives. The more people vary their perspective while examining a problem, whether it be how to defend the PnR, or how to provide health insurance, the more likely they are to solve the problem.

Different perspectives provide more information, and the voicing of that additional information is a civic right. The democratic process needn’t end at the polls. We can choose to live democratically every day. We can change our minds and make that change heard. Hey, a great man once said,

“Sometimes you give your kids too many damn Skittles.”