LeBron James Reacts to Kim Kardashian and Groupie Rumors

LeBron James is lashing out in the form of tweets at MediaTakeOut.com after the online celebrity news site published a story suggesting that James and Kim Kardashian are getting closer to being a couple. A few days ago, after the Miami Heat's home opener, the website also reported that James recently sent his fiancée home after the so that he could spend more time with what it describes as a 'popular groupie'.

In the story about Kardashian, MediaTakeOut quoted an unidentified 'insider' as saying, "Kim and [LeBron] are friends. They've partied together and there's always been a mutual attraction. Now that Kim's single, she would like to take things to another level."

The website ran a picture of LeBron James walking towards the sidelines during a game and Kim Kardashian, along with her sister, watching him with a slight smile on her face.

As of Monday afternoon, James tweeted twice about the gossip site, presumably in response to one or both of the stories.

In the first one James tweeted: "MTO is the most disgusting/non-credible site in the world! All they do is try to ruin people lives and talk bad upon them."

A few minutes later, James again tweeted, writing, "Misery loves company and that's exactly what MTO and all them (sic) other gossip blogs are "MISERABLE". We don't believe u, u need more people.SMH"

James is one of the wealthiest and best recognized professional athletes in the world. His status in the sports world has come with extreme attention and seemingly unwanted publicity.

Prior to the Kardashian and group rumors, over the summer it was speculated across the internet that James' mother Gloria had had an affair with his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Delonte West.

While the mainstream media did not really cover the story, Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy went on a radio sports show to confirm his understanding that Gloria James had indeed had a sexual relationship with West. ESPN talk show host Colin Cowherd discussed the issue indirectly, saying that his network would not allow him to discuss it in specific terms. Cowherd said that James realized the spotlight on him, and his family, would be too uncomfortable if he played in New York City and that it was likely a contributing factor to his decision to play in Miami.

While the validity of MediaTakeOut's source has yet to be verified, for her part Kim Kardashian is no stranger to highly visible athletes. Earlier this year, it was rumored that she would be getting engaged to then boyfriend Reggie Bush if Bush's Saints won the Super Bowl. While they did win the game, no proposal, nor explanation, was forthcoming and Bush and Kardashian separated, perhaps this time for good.

LeBron James' attack on MediaTakeOut may or may not be justified. When it comes to public relations, however, James seems to need better advice. His handling of his free agency decision this summer was awkward at best. Taking on an online gossip source through angry tweets is probably not the best approach either.

If MediaTakeOut is correct and LeBron James and Kim Kardashian are in fact in the beginning stages of a relationship, the world will surely know soon enough; in the meantime, James may want to avoid the issue if he would like it to go away. Fairly or unfairly, that is the reality faced by the modern day celebrity athlete and their relationships with other celebrities. Kim Kardashian could probably tell LeBron James all about that.

Source:

Staff, "O...EMMM...GEE!!! Evidence is starting to mount that Kim Kardashian and LeBron James have a special friendship", mediatakeout.com

Staff, "One day after LeBron's Groupie Fiasco...He's photo'd out with his fiance Savannah..and she looks like she's still salty over it!!", mediatakeout.com

LeBron James' Twitter