You won't see LeBron James taking a knee during the national anthem.
"My voice is more important than my knee," he said Monday.
Although he "wouldn't be surprised" if other players around the NBA take part in some type of pregame protests this season _ and believes they have every right to _ he said, "I don't believe that I have to get on my knees to further what I talk about. ...
"What I do is my commentary."
Standing for the anthem is one of precious few topics on which the world's best basketball player and the world's most powerful person agree.
LeBron's war of words with the president of the United States continued Monday afternoon when the otherwise upbeat Bath resident sat on a riser in front of scores of cameras and reporters at the Cavs' annual Media Day at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence.
James wouldn't even utter Trump's name, referring to him consistently and disdainfully as "that guy."
The superstar refused to back off the tweet in which he called Trump a "bum," and ridiculed the president's dis-invitation of Golden State star Steph Curry to the traditional championship celebration at the White House.
Addressing a question from longtime Associated Press reporter Tom Withers, LeBron said, "It's almost like, 'Tom, hey, I'm not going to be able to make it. I'm not coming.' And then you would be like, 'LeBron, guess what? You're not invited.'
"I wasn't coming anyways!
"So that was funny to me when I woke up and saw that [tweet]. So my initial response was 'You bum.' "
LeBron said he salutes the NFL players who have gone out on a limb to express their beliefs.
"It's not about disrespect of the flag or our military and everybody that's made this world free," he said, his deep voice steady and exuding confidence. "It is about equality, and people having the option and the freedom to speak upon things that they feel are [unjust]."
He pounded Trump for not using his office to bridge the gaps.
"He doesn't understand the power that he has being the leader of this beautiful country. He doesn't understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United States for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement. ...
"We are at a time where the most powerful position in the world has an opportunity to bring us closer together as a people and inspire the youth and put the youth at ease, saying that it is OK for me to walk down the street and not be judged because of the color of my skin or because of my race _ and he has no recollection of that and he doesn't even care."
When asked whether he was afraid of alienating the many Cavs fans who voted for Trump _ fans based in a state Trump carried in the election and who likely are offended by the player's stance _ he paused for a long time.
"At the end of the day," he finally said, "I don't think a lot of people [were] educated ... on the individual and [the issues]."
He likened the election to the Portland Trailblazers passing up the chance to draft Michael Jordan, instead choosing Sam Bowie, who flopped.
"For me as a professional athlete in this state, even though this state voted for Trump, that doesn't stop me from inspiring the people of this state, inspiring the youth. ...
"My calling is much bigger than 'that guy.' While I have this platform, I will continue to inspire the state of Ohio, not only by what I do on the floor, but also [by putting] 1,300 kids into school and spending almost $45 million [on their education]."
When asked how his disdain for Trump would affect his relationship with team owner Dan Gilbert, whom Trump treated as a bosom buddy in June, he said it would have no impact.
Although LeBron didn't say so, the superstar likely is aware that Gilbert is not a major Trump fan, and really had very little choice that day at the White House when he was dragged into a group photo of Trump and the World Series-winning Chicago Cubs.
Gilbert was there because he had a meeting with Trump, arranged much earlier, to discuss issues affecting his two favorite cities, Detroit and Cleveland. When the president of the United States beckoned him to join the photo, what was he going to do?
Gilbert calls himself a political "agnostic," hooking up with whomever is in power and can do something to help his cities. He and President Obama worked together on a taskforce to try to figure out how to address urban blight.
Gilbert actually admires LeBron for taking political stands that LeBron knows will cost him fans and maybe even endorsements.
Meanwhile, No. 23 does see a major benefit to the current social strife: People are talking.
He pointed to a pregame football show he watched Sunday morning on which hard-guy Rex Ryan, a big Trump supporter before the election, second-guessed his choice.
Said LeBron: "The conversation is being had."
