LeBron James Says He Lost All Respect For Phil Jackson After He Labeled His Business Partners “Posse” + King James Doesn’t Want An Apology

LeBron James is responding to Phil Jackson after he made a comment referring to LeBron’s business partners as a “posse.” And he’s not looking for an apology. More inside…

LeBron James has lost all respect for New York Knicks president and famed NBA coach Phil Jackson after he referred to his business partners as a “posse.”

When reporters asked LeBron if he had any previous ties to Phil he responded,

"Zero. No relationship at all. I had nothing but respect for him as a coach for what he was able to do. Obviously he was at the helm of [the team featuring] my favorite player of all time [Michael Jordan], and also being there growing up and watching him with the Lakers, but I got nothing for him."

So what exactly did Phil say that ticked off King James? Well, in a Q&A on ESPN.com earlier this week, Phil responded to a question about how it hurt the Miami Heat when Bron signed to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"It had to hurt when they lost LeBron. That was definitely a slap in the face. But there were a lot of little things that came out of that. When LeBron was playing with the Heat, they went to Cleveland and he wanted to spend the night. They don't do overnights. Teams just don't. So now (coach Erik) Spoelstra has to text Riley and say, 'What do I do in this situation?' And Pat, who has iron-fist rules, answers, 'You are on the plane, you are with this team.' You can't hold up the whole team because you and your mom and your posse want to spend an extra night in Cleveland."

The reigning NBA Finals MVP later elaborated on the situation, saying he feels Phil used that term because they’re young African-Americans. He explained:

"It just sucks that now at this point having one of the biggest businesses you can have both on and off the floor, having a certified agent in Rich Paul, having a certified business partner in Maverick Carter that's done so many great business [deals], that the title for young African-Americans is the word 'posse.'"

King James said he didn’t think Phil would have used that particular term if he was talking about an athlete who isn’t African-American.

"If you go and read the definition of what the word 'posse' is, it's not what I've built over my career," LeBron said. "It's not what I stand for, it's not what my family stands for. I believe the only reason he used that word is because he sees young African-Americans trying to make a difference."

Maverick Carter, LeBron’s longtime friend and business partner, was also taken back by the “posse” comment. He told ESPN:

"It's the word 'posse' and the characterization I take offense to," Carter said. "If he would have said LeBron and his agent, LeBron and his business partners or LeBron and his friends, that's one thing. Yet because you're young and black, he can use that word. We're grown men."

But the Cavaliers baller isn’t seeking an apology from the 11-time coaching champion.

"For what? He don't owe (anything). I don't know that man," LeBron told cleveland.com Tuesday night after the Cavs beat the Toronto Raptors, 121-117.

He continued: "If he was talking to (Dallas Mavericks owner) Mark Cuban, (Phoenix Suns owner) Robert Sarver, or (Miami Heat owner) Micky Arison, and he didn't like the way they did business, he would've said I'm not going to do business with you and your associates. With us, it's posse."

Hmph.

Yesterday on Instagram, LeBron threw another shot at Phil: