OT:Rumor - ESPN analysts warned against talking about West and LeBrons mom

An Uncle who is a doctor in Connecticut told me that he knew for certain that ESPN has told their reporters and analysts that they are not allowed to discuss the rumor that LeBrons mom had an affair with West. I had totally forgotten about this when James left until my Uncle brought it up. Everything else in the media seems like fair game, but for some reason this rumor is off limits. By the way, I asked my Uncle how he knew and he would only say that he was told first hand but would not say who told him. Anyways, I thought that was weird, I have never heard of ESPN silencing a rumor before.

 

Why would you need your uncle to tell you this? Aren't you omnipotent?

 

Probably because there is no substance to it and they don't want to get sued.

 

After he told me it made sense, since i had not heard any discussion past 1 day, but then the the story just left my mind till today.

 

If there was even a slight chance it was true, Gilbert would have released or traded Delonte the second he was allowed to.

 

I guess you're right about that. Well, never mind then, I guess it was just a legal issue and ESPN was not willing to smear muck at the chance of a lawsuit even though it would have driven ratings. I thought it was interesting when i heard from my Uncle, but on second glance I guess it's nothing too interesting.

 

I would bet any amount of money that after "The Decision", Delonte West is Dan Gilbert's favorite player.

 

I actually had heard something quite similar.

As far as dealing West ASAP, it's not like the Cavs had much time. They had a little time before the draft, and a little before FA, but no GM to make deals. If it really phases LBJ that they didn't deal West in moments, he's a bigger pussy than I thought.

 

love these stories in the message board age.

One of his clients comes in who heard it first hand from another guy who heard it first hand from another guy who heard it first hand all from a message board poster who's uncle heard it first hand.

To be honest, it's pretty obvious people have been told not to say anything about this issue. "The thing we can't talk about" has been repeated many a time.

 

It was very odd how they never discussed this on PTI, Around The Horn... Very odd. It was completely out there, Calvin whatshisname spoke up about it, but ESPN said nothing. The most anyone ever said was pre-Decison, David Aldridge talked about the orator LeBron would have if he stayed in Cleveland and DA said "Delonte West DEFINITELY won't be around next season."

 

Thats it. Next home game against the Heat I am making a big sign that says "Lebron, I did your Mom too!"

 

...so I'm guessing they're not allowed to wear these?

 

It has everything to do with basketball. Apparently everyone knew but him and he didn't find out until right before Game 5. If true, that would've destroyed chemistry. LeBron played horribly in Game 5. Plus, that destruction of the family feeling may have contributed to LeBron leaving Cleveland. I think this is just as newsworthy as Tiger's personal problems.

 

Just listened to the Spider (John Sally) and the Henchman (Kevin Hench) podcast and Kevin Hench just said that when he was on Bill Simmons Podcast, Bill told him that ESPN forbid them from discussing the West/Bron-mom situation.

 

Maybe their silence was traded for The Decision to be broadcast on their network.