Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James went on a Twitter rant to criticize the practice of burning jerseys, saying it is getting ridiculous He also defended new teammate isaiah thomas and Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics.

James said fans should not be mad at Thomas, saying he should not be blamed for what happened because he was traded by the Celtics. He also praised Thomas for playing in the playoffs after his sister’s tragic death. Recently, the Celtics shipped Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick, to the Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving.

The four-time MVP also defended Hayward for his decision to leave the Utah Jazz and sign a four-year, $128-million deal with the Celtics.

James said Hayward has paid his dues with the Jazz and made the best decision for him and his family. James added that Hayward put in the work on his game and emerged as an All-Star in the NBA. James also stressed that if players weren’t that good, fans were quick to criticize them and demand to “get them out of here”. But if players decided to do what’s best for them and their families, they are branded as cowards and traitors.

James also a victim of jersey burning

James made the pronouncement after some Celtics fans burned Thomas’ jerseys despite having no say in the trade. Some Jazz fans burned Hayward jerseys after he signed with the Celtics as a free agent. James was no stranger to jersey burning. His No. 23 jerseys were burned by fans when he left Cleveland and took his talents to South Beach and signed with the Miami Heat in 210.

Oklahoma City Thunder fans also did the same when Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors last season.

James praised Irving

After Irving was traded to the Celtics, James shared a tweet of a certain Tony Hartman, who posted a video of Irving’s jersey lying on the ground with a caption “OK Cavs fans, you know what to do.” Instead of setting Irving’s jersey on fire, Hartman put a note on top of it, thanking the All-Star point guard for his six years in Cleveland.

James said Hartman’s move was the best way to treat Irving, whom he also called a “special talent and a special guy”, adding that he has nothing but respect for his former teammate.

In their three years together with the Cavaliers, James and Irving led the team to three straight NBA finals stints, winning the title two seasons ago. Aside from James, Cavaliers team owner Dan Gilbert thanked Irving for his six years with the team that took him first overall in 2011.
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