Jay-Z throws shade at Phil Jackson when introducing LeBron James (Video)
Rap superstar Jay-Z threw shade at New York Knicks president Phil Jackson when introducing LeBron James for Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year.
Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James was honored as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year for 2016. James was the guiding force behind the Cavaliers’ improbable 2016 NBA Finals victory over the 73-win Golden State Warriors down 3-1.
Introducing James for his award was none other than rap superstar Jay-Z. Jay-Z was praising James as a man before casually slipping in a shot at New York Knicks president Phil Jackson.
Jay Z slips in a Phil Jackson shot while introducing LeBron James #SISportsperson pic.twitter.com/0PIF2jFrE2
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 13, 2016
Jay-Z called James “the man who put his posse in position.” This was an obvious dig at Jackson, who previously called James’ close circle of friends a posse.
Some have interpreted Jackson’s comments as racist, but it really is a dig to belittle James and his inner circle. Jackson tried to make them look small, when in reality they are major figureheads in several money-making business enterprises.
Calling guys like Maverick Carter and Rich Paul just guys in James’ posse was uncalled for, but Jackson is saying all sorts of strange things in 2016. He’s at that “I’m 70 and don’t care stage” of his life.
Jackson is considered to be one of best NBA head coaches of all-time from his days leading Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a great rotational player in his own right on some of the best teams in Knicks history in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Jackson’s posse comments clearly struck a chord with successful media moguls like James, Jay-Z, and others. It may come across as petty when we look back on the awards ceremony, but so was calling James and his inner circle a posse. These are smart, hard-working gentlemen that have made millions, not a bunch of guys leeching off James’ individual success.
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