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Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > LeBron James Stresses Need To ‘Appreciate’ Positive & Negative Moments In Reflecting On Year Passing Since Being Told To ‘Shut Up And Dribble’
Lakers News

LeBron James Stresses Need To ‘Appreciate’ Positive & Negative Moments In Reflecting On Year Passing Since Being Told To ‘Shut Up And Dribble’

Matthew Moreno
Published: 02/17/2019
3 Min Read
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
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While LeBron James has been in the public spotlight since high school, it intensified and stretched into the political realm one year ago when he drew the ire of Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

She famously suggested he “shut up and dribble” after James’ criticized President Donald Trump. The exchange came just prior to 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. James defiantly refused to keep his voice and presence limited to the basketball court.

That decision has earned him the respect and support of his peers, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, among others. It’s also kept James as a target for pointed criticism.

Despite that, he doesn’t regret refusing to accept Ingraham’s condemnation. “I think everything in life you have to appreciate, no matter if it’s good or bad,” he said when looking back on the time that’s passed.

“It’s been one year since the call out of ‘Shut up and dribble.’ I knew at that moment I was bigger than basketball and had to say something, because it wasn’t just about me. It was about all of us. It’d be like telling you guys to shut up and just write, or just shut and be a doctor, shut up and be a teacher, just shut up and do whatever your occupation is.

“I just think that’s unfair to all of us, because we are so much more than what our occupation or name tag says. For me to be able to have this platform — as I did one year ago — and for me to be able to have that feeling throughout my body when I heard that, it has not only resonated with me but resonated with a lot of people to be able to feel like they can be more. Like I said, I thanked her for that moment, and we all should thank her.

“Like I said, you have to appreciate anything that comes along, no matter if it’s good or bad. It helps you learn, it helps you become better at who you are, it helps you get more understanding of who you are or more understanding of what the situation is at that point in time.”

James used the phrase as the title of a three-part documentary on Showtime, and has continued with efforts to make an impact on the community. Just as he was prior to the controversy beginning.

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TAGGED:LeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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