Stephen Jackson Defends LeBron James, 'He's Coming from a Good Place' – TMZ, Tmz.com

“This is not the time to try to crucify LeBron’s character. We all know who LeBron is. “

That’s ex-NBA playerStephen Jacksongoing to bat for his pal,LeBron James… tellingTMZ SportsBron ain’t the kowtowing sellout some people are making him out to be.

Look, Jackson admits LeBron probably could have handled the China situation better … but thinks people need to stop hatin ‘and consider all of the GOOD stuff Bron does for people.

“He’s done so much off the court. We can’t let this one incident when we knew he was coming from a good place [destroy his reputation]. He was coming from a good place, he might not know everything he’s talking about but we know LeBron, and it’s never coming from a bad place. I would stand to say that. “

Of course, LeBron has beenunder firefor condemning Houston Rockets GMDaryl Morey– and suggesting the guy “wasn’t educated” when he sent his controversialpro-Hong Kong tweet.

Bron’s alsoTaking heatfor saying Morey should have waited another week before criticizing the Chinese government – since the Lakers, Nets and other NBA personnelwere in Chinafor an exhibition game at the time.

But, Jackson says the people who are trying to cancel LeBron over the controversy were just LeBron haters in the first place … and they were looking for a reason to go after Bron .

“We know who he is as a person,” Jackson says.

We also spoke with ex-NBAerAl Harrington– who WENT OFF on people attacking LeBron.

Harrington also said the suggestion LeBron could say or do anything that would have a real impact on the China / Hong Kong situation is stupid.

“Anybody can speak on it, but what can you do? It don’t matter if LeBron, it don’t matter if President Trump say , ‘Treat Hong Kong right’ … they’re not gonna do it. “

And, Al says anyone who thinks differently is just “full of s ** t.”