What does this quote explain and mean (BY MALCOLM X)?

this quote was towards martin luther king.. =D 'You know, right before he was killed he came down to Selma and said some pretty pionate things against me, and that surprised me because after all it was my territory there. But afterwards he took my wife aside, and said he thought he could help me more by attacking me than praising me. He thought it would make it easier for me in the long run.'