Phil Jackson's timing was as bad as his language

In another time, maybe Phil Jackson gets a pass.

Maybe his decision to use the word "posse" to describe LeBron James’ associates in an interview with ESPN doesn’t hit the Cleveland Cavaliers star in quite the same way, and maybe the ensuing headlines don’t paint the New York Knicks president in such an unflattering light. Maybe his glowing commentary on Carmelo Anthony’s recent social activism gets more notice.

But this is November 2016, a time when the African-American community has every right to be concerned and those of us sensitive to their growing fears must choose our words wisely. And this is James, a 31-year-old basketball legend who found his social voice in recent years and who is calling for accountability in many forms these days.

Carmelo Anthony on Phil Jackson: 'I would never want to hear that word'

The Black Lives Matter movement that James and other NBA stars have been so vocal in supporting has been met with disdain in far too many factions, the simplicity of their statement ignored by critics who use false equivalences to justify apathy. And now, in the wake of the country electing a man in Donald Trump whose racially divisive rhetoric helped his rise to the Oval Office, we learn that his newly appointed chief strategist and senior counselor, Stephen Bannon, is a man with white nationalist ties whom right-winged radio host Glenn Beck deems “terrifying” and whom Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid deemed “a champion of white supremacists.”

The Ku Klux Klan, which long ago endorsed Trump, has a parade planned for Dec. 3 in North Carolina to celebrate his ascension. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there have been 437 reported incidents of “hateful intimidation and harassment” in the five days since the Election, with 89 of them anti-black (including 11 in James’ native Ohio).

So yes, as anyone who’s paying attention can see, these are the kinds of harrowing times that heighten sensitivities. And with good reason.

In a vacuum, there’s a discussion to be had about the word "posse" and its many interpretations. Anthony, whose brotherhood with James was captured so beautifully by Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck last season, gave his perspective on Wednesday.

“I would never want to hear that word about me and my, I don’t want to say crew, but people that I consider family or people that I come up, been through thick and thin with,” Anthony told reporters. “I’d want to be called a tight-knit group or family. That’s what I consider those close people to me.

“To some people, the word 'posse' might not mean anything. It might just be a word. To some other people it could be a derogatory statement. It all depends on who you mention it to and who you’re talking about in essence. In this sense he was talking about four, five black men. Do I think he meant it in any kind of way? I really don’t know. I don’t think he did. I would hope that he didn’t. Sometimes Phil just say things and he says the first thing that comes to mind. Probably he’s in his office right now regretting it. With Phil you never know what’s going to be said, what’s coming.”

But the greater context of the country matters a great deal right now, and Jackson – who was interviewed by Jackie MacMullan on the day after the election – should have known better than to characterize James and his support team in such a way. Especially considering he has done it before.

As noted by ESPN’s Rachel Nichols on her show, “The Jump,” this relevant excerpt from Jackson’s 2004 book, The Last Season gives a deeper glimpse into his view.

"Yet as talented as (LeBron James) definitely appears to be, I don't believe any nineteen-year-old should be playing in the NBA. These young men grow so dependent on their posse's, who fetch their cars and their girls, that they can't possibly develop into mature, self-sufficient human beings. One day, I'm convinced, we'll find out the true extent of the psychological damage that's been caused."

LeBron James says he doesn't respect Phil Jackson anymore

With his longtime friend and business manager, Maverick Carter, agent Rich Paul and other business partners at his side, James has earned the kind of wealth that put him at No. 11 on Forbes’ Global Celebrity List this year. Along the way, James – a married father of three who announced last summer that his foundation was on track to fund more than 1,100 college scholarships for Akron, Ohio children at a price tag that could top $41 million – has become one of the most charitable athletes around. It’s safe to say that any and all fears of him evolving into a mature and self-sufficient human being should be relieved by now.

So while we all know how much LeBron likes to pass, he chose not to this time. And considering the current climate, no one should be surprised. Or offended.