I wonder how much of what Trump does is instinctual and how much is calculated. He seems to be just going off his gut.
Does he wonder if disparaging LeBron will have some backlash because LBJ is as famous as Trump? Does he consider that most of his supporters will understand that he's saying blacks are inferior and the racial message will get through. Or does he just say/do whatever comes into his head and figure that he's gotten this far just being a Trumpian asshole, why change or think about it now.
I'm guessing that Trump just feels being Trump is a winning strategy, that his followers will support him whatever he does, that if he makes a mistake or loses it's going to be on his own terms and not due to be being careful and advised. Also, I just think this is who he is, and he isn't about to change and probably couldn't if he wanted to.