INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Naganap ang hindi inaasahang trades at posibleng marami pang sopresa ang kasunod bago ang inaabangang pagbubukas ng NBA season.

At tulad nang mga nakalipas na taon, balot ng kontrobersya ang liga at hindi pahuhuli sa usapin si LeBron James.

Sa unang pagkakataon matapos maagaw ang korona sa Cleveland Cavaliers, nagpahayag ng kanyang saloobin at opinyon sa iba’s ibang isyu ang four-time MVP sa publiko.

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Kabilang sa mainit na usapan ang posibilidad na muling magkasama sila ni Dwayne Wade sa iisang team, gayundin ang masalimuot na relasyon ni US president Donald Trump sa mga atleta, higit ang tahasang pagbira nito sa koponan ng Golden State Warriors matapos tumaggi si Stephen Curry na sumama patungo sa White House.

“He doesn’t understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United State for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement. He doesn’t understand that, and that’s what makes me more sick than anything,” pahayag ni James, patungkol sa pagluhod ng mga player sa NFL bilang pagpapahayag ng protesta sa nagaganap na pang-aabuso sa mga Afro-American.

Sa kanyang Twitter, natawag niyang “a bum” si Trump.

Iginiit naman ni James na wala siyang sama ng loob sa ginawang paglipat ni Kyrie Irving sa Boston Celtics.

“I tried to give him everything and give him as much of the DNA as I could. At some point, when he was ready to take over the keys, I was ready to give them to him. So, the only thing I’m upset about is he took a lot of the DNA and a lot of the blueprint to Boston,” aniya.

Hindi naman isinasara ni James ang posibilidad na makasama ang dating kasangga sa Miami Heat na si Wade matapos ang pagpayag nito sa buyout sa kanyang kontrata sa Chicago Bulls.

“I would love to have D-Wade a part of this team. I think he brings another championship pedigree, championship DNA.

He brings another player to the team who can get guys involved, can make plays and also has a great basketball mind.

I think it would be great to have him here.”

“It hasn’t changed. And that’s why I sit up here today, still in this uniform, still ready to lead this franchise to a championship, put us in a position where we can be successful,” aniya.

Kumpiyansa si James na mananatiling title contender ang Cavaliers kasama ang mga bagong teammantes na sina Derrick Rose at Isiaiah Thomas.