"A championship in Cleveland would be much sweeter than anywhere else LeBron would play," rapper says.
Chuck D
Public Enemy performed to a rousing crowd at Cleveland's House of Blues on Sunday night. Lead rapper, Chuck D, displayed skills during various songs that confirms his ranking as one of the top lyricists of all time.
Following the nearly two-hour performance, Chuck D (Carlton Douglas Ridenhour), spent time talking about one of his loves --- NBA basketball. Chuck D is a New York Knicks fan, but he refuses to base his favorite team's future on the hope of signing LeBron James.
Because James should remain in Cleveland, Chuck D says.
"LeBron James is the greatest dude to come to basketball," Chuck D says. "Minneapolis fans aren't mad at Kevin Garnett when he (was traded) left. They were like, 'He gave his all for 12 years.' He did his thing and they still root for him. That's how LeBron should leave Cleveland. He hasn't given his all. He's only 25. He's got to keep working at it."
He also doesn't understand why James would want to join the Knicks, a team that hasn't been to the playoffs since 2001. And if it's not basketball-related, Chuck D says LeBron can get the so-called marketing opportunities no matter where he plays.
"What more is LeBron James going to get coming to New York?" Chuck D. "This isn't 1983. New York isn't the media center of the world like it used to be before the Internet. Once Cleveland wins, the center of the (basketball) universe is here. How long was the center of the (basketball) universe in Chicago with Michael Jordan?"
What Chuck D hates most is that LeBron James in New York would become a spectacle similar to games at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Who's who in the crowd at Lakers games is about as important as who is on the court.
"LeBron in New York would be fake, just like the Yankees," Chuck D said. "All of those fake celebrities would sit at courtside. I'd rather watch the game on TV than sit with those fake celebrities."
If LeBron's decision is about winning, than it all comes down to adding another big-time player, says Chuck D.
"LeBron just needs another dude," Chuck D says. "If LeBron stays, another guy would want to come. For example, the Lakers would have never won if they didn't get Pau Gasol from Memphis for a fish sandwich. David Stern should have outlawed that trade."
The free agency period begins Thursday. The Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and the Knicks will all meet with LeBron and state their case on why he should join them.
But Chuck D says an NBA title would mean more here.
"A championship in Cleveland would be much sweeter than anywhere else LeBron would play," Chuck D says.