LeBron James hasn't fully committed to making a run at becoming the next NBAPA President, but the four-time NBA MVP is already speaking like a potential union leader.
While at a charity event in Akron, James gave a bit of reasoning behind his potential run for Derek Fisher's current position. The only question is whether James will be stretching himself too thin as the Heat prep for a three-peat along with his additional obligationsas a celebrity endorser, and with the Heat prepping for a three-peat against a competitive field that's stepped it up a notch in the offseason. It's not quite Obama announcing his presidential campaign in Springfield, Illinois, but in an interview with Brian Windhorse, James did confirm that he is considering running for NBAPA President and how he believes he could make a difference.
VIa ESPN:
"I just think the union is going backwards, and it's not in a good place right now," James said Saturday in an interview with ESPN after an event for his foundation at which he gave away hundreds of bicycles and tablet computers to underprivileged children in his hometown.
The players' union has been under scrutiny from its members following a 2011 collective bargaining agreement that saw the players give back significant revenue to ownership followed by a scandal involving former executive director Billy Hunter's use of union funds. Hunter was fired earlier this year, and president Derek Fisher's term ended this summer.
"I think my voice could be huge in that situation."
"I'm not sure I have the time to do it, but it's something I'm going to think about with my team and go from there," James said. "But I think we all can agree there's been a lot of transition in our union in the last couple of years. If it's not me in that seat then I hope it's someone who is comfortable with it and can do the job."
James better make a decision quickly. While he's mulling a decision, free agent vet/vice president Jerry Stackhouse has been out acting as the voice of the players and as de facto union leader in Fisher's stead.
