LeBron James is feeling generous these days. As the NBA transactions list reaches its yearly high, James has spread good cheer all around as friends and former teammates get paid and move on to the next steps in their careers. First there was James wishing former Miami Heat teammate Chris Both well in retirement. Then on Thursday, James gave a Twitter shout to Zach Randolph for his big deal with the Sacramento Kings.
While Memphis Grizzlies fans and the organization itself mourn the loss of Z-Bo, James was happy for his friend and encouraged the Griz to do right by Randolph and retire his number.
Congrats @MacBo50!! Always been one of my fav guys that's been in this league of ours! #Forever50 #HangItUp https://t.co/C1RYBmEQjI
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 6, 2017
James retweeted the Grizzlies’ tweet about Z-Bo, which included a quote from Grizzlies owner Robert J. Pera that said no player will ever wear Randolph’s No. 50 again. That’s about as plainly as the franchise can put it: Randolph will have his number retired by the team as soon as that’s allowed to happen.
The NBA is often criticized as a league where everyone is friends and the competition isn’t taken as serious as it should. To create rivalries players have to hate one another, is the common thinking of the straw man I’ve just created to finish out this post. But the truth is that basketball’s friendships traverse teams, divisions and conferences and it’s entirely a good thing.
When these friendships fail, it creates petty tweets and Instagram posts we all devour. And when good things happen to friends, players are more than happy to tell the world they appreciate the success of their common man. The pettiness that fills the playoffs and the offseason is part and parcel to the shared joy of success that crosses team affiliations, and we must take that bad with this good in equal measure.
It’s just nice to see people happy sometimes.
