Showtime Releases Official Trailer For LeBron James' 'Shut Up And Dribble'
By: Omar Cook
LeBron James is set to release a major documentary that speaks about the political activism involving NBA players. Showtime released a new trailer for the docu-series Shut Up and Dribble which is inspired by a statement made Fox News host Laura Ingraham.
Ingraham was critical on LeBron taking an anti-Trump stance and said, “Must they run their mouths like that? Unfortunately, a lot of kids — and some adults — take these ignorant comments seriously,” Ingraham said on her talk show in Februrary. “And it’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid a hundred million dollars a year to bounce a ball.”
“Oh, and LeBron and Kevin: You’re great players, but no one voted for you,” she continued. “Millions elected Trump to be their coach… So keep the political commentary to yourself or, as someone once said, shut up and dribble.”
LeBron responded by saying “We will definitely not shut up and dribble——I will definitely not do that. I mean too much to society, I mean too much to the youth, I mean too much to so many kids that feel like they don’t have a way out, and they need someone to help lead them out of the situation they’re in.”
These types of statements are extremely ignorant especially coming from people who are responsible for delivering the “news.” Shut up and dribble? Who gave you the power to say who should and should not make political statements? Last time I checked, we had freedom of speech in this country, and the freedom to express our own views, and whether you choose to agree with those views or not is on you.
LeBron has teamed up with Maverick Carter to executive produce the three-part series, with some other names on board such as Rich Paul, Martin Desmond Roe, Chris Uetwiller, Datari Turner, and Gotham Chopra. What makes this series even better, is that it’s narrated by Jemele Hill, who recently just left ESPN for her own ventures. Doing it for the culture!
In a press release, Showtime stated "The controversy [Ingraham's comments] serves as a prologue to the series as it chronicles the modern history of the NBA and its players, starting with the 1976 merger of the freewheeling ABA and the more conventional NBA——The league soon became an incubator for many of its top athletes to grow their brands beyond the court, becoming powerful players in commerce and fashion, and transcending the game to become cultural icons. Shut Up and Dribble charts this evolution through the experience of basketball players, who by taking control of their own destinies have helped to bring about social change and make their own statements in the current political climate."
LeBron using his platform to advocate for change and to speak up on issues plaguing America is exactly what we need from other people of influence. These are the type of things that change American culture for the better.
Shut Up and Dribble premieres on November 3on Showtime. Check out the trailer below!
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