LeBron James Sticks Foot in Mouth, Could Tarnish Heat Playoff Run, NBA Legacy

COMMENTARY | LeBron James apologized Monday for using the word "retarded" at a recent NBA press conference. James had been in hot water after microphones picked up the former NBA MVP uttering the word under his breath during a post-game interview over the weekend. The first chance he got, he apologized for using the word, and hopefully that's the end of it.

The apology came during a Game 4 press conference for the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics playoff series. ESPN reported that James said, "I want to apologize for using the 'R' word after Game 3. If I offended anyone, I sincerely apologize."

For those who don't like James already, this was just one more reason for them to make disparaging comments about the NBA star. James should have already known that, and might want to do a better job of keeping comments like this to himself.

The question that originally garnered all of this attention was one about a play between Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo in Game 3. The two became tangled during a play and both went to the ground; Rondo who took the worst of it, suffering a dislocated shoulder. When a reporter asked Wade after the game if he thought the play was dirty, James muttered "that's retarded" to the question.

James has to be careful not to say anything else like this as the playoffs progress. Many in the press are looking for sound bites that will sell papers or grab readers. The Miami Heat is now just one win away from making it to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, and some fans of teams that have faltered along the way will grab on to anything to tear down what the Heat has accomplished so far this year. The fact that James said the word to himself, not even to the reporter who asked a silly question, underscores that point.

James just went for 35 points and 14 rebounds in a Game 4 win against the Boston Celtics Monday. It was an impressive victory for the Heat on the road, and it means that the series could come to an end in just five games. That's what people should be focusing on right now, as James puts together yet another amazing postseason that could have him rivaling some of the best playoff performances NBA fans have seen. Now he needs to make sure that he keeps his comments in check so his legacy can take another step forward in the league.