Links To The Present: June 2, 2010
2010-06-02
“Instead, Shaq proved he was justified in leaving that second-tier town for Hollywood. He not only made movies and music, but won three championships for the Lakers in Los Angeles. Â So in the end, pass on the King interview, because we’ve heard it all before — nothing.” [Rob Parker ESPNNewYork]
“Bryant can have the month of June. But in July, while Bryant is creating room in his trophy case, James plans to hold the NBA hostage. That means teams, coaches, and other free agents. He loves the attention and the drama.” [Frank Isola]
Fair enough Tom, I just disagree with you on a couple things. Lebron’s possibilities for endorsements are greater in NYC. Maybe not by as much as they would have been ten or twenty years ago, but they are greater. I think it’s fair to say that Miami is generally considered a more desirable place to live then Cleveland if you’re a multi-millionaire basketball star. Again, I will say that this is a generalization and Lebron could feel differently, but you have to see how many of his comments and actions over the last few years lead people to believe he… Read more »
Missing the point jonathan. My reasoning on the “issue” isn’t that I think there is a better or worse chance LeBron leaves than Wade leaves. No one has any idea what any of these guys are going to do. My point is that the REASONING by Media types that LeBron WOULD leave Cleveland, is “because it’s Cleveland”. “Because it’s a second-tier city” Because “there’s nothing to do there” “because the weather is bad” blah blah blah. If you looked at this “issue” from the perspective of: The commitment of the owner, The passion of the fanbase, The ability to acquire… Read more »
I never said that Cleveland isn’t a nice city, so please don’t imply that I did. I said that for the majority of NBA players, Miami provides a possible lifestyle that is more glamorous. And I don’t see how you can objectively disagree with that. So the media look at the situation, see that Miami has a chance to add a max player to their roster and the lure of the city, and Wade always implying that he wants to stay and make a reasonable assumption that Wade will choose to resign there. Then they look at Lebron, see Cleveland… Read more »
Conspiracy implies secrecy. It’s not a secret. As windhorst said, people on the coasts just cannot fathom why people would want to live in Cleveland. To me, it’s an example of a place that has such a bad reputation and much of it isn’t justified. I’ve traveled a lot and seen plenty of places that have glamorous reputations, and they’re really not that nice at all. Cleveland isn’t a glamorous city, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a nice city. Miami has treated Wade like crap. wasting some of his prime years on rebuilding projects and telling him to make… Read more »
Tom, it’s an example (a true one by the way) of Lebron encouraging his own hype. Which is fine, but you can’t then complain about the resulting criticism that comes about from the higher profile. And yes, sorry, but Miami is more glamorous than Cleveland and for the vast majority of NBA players a better city to call home. Maybe not for Lebon though, who knows. Plus, you’re not being honest if you’re going to claim that Wade has encouraged the speculation to the same degree that Lebron has, and that’s not to mention that a huge majority of the… Read more »
The “giving self nicknames” is the most overblown criticism of LeBron.
As far as spending the last couple years encouraging speculation – Wade has had the same attitude as LeBron, the media just never centered on him because they assume Miami is so glamorous no one would ever leave.
Rich, he receives the bad press for the same reason he received more good press than Wade – Lebron is higher profile. Unless you were complaining when he received all the unwarranted good press, I don’t think you can make a big deal out of things now. Wade never built himself up in the same way Lebron and his people did and I think now we’re simply seeing the consequences of that decision. Wade hasn’t spent the last couple years encouraging speculation about this summer, he hasn’t given himself nicknames, or played up his own deification the way Lebron has,… Read more »
The point is, why does it seem like he is the only one who recieves the bad press? where is the Dwayne bad press? Is he not just as egotistical and self-centered? I just want consistency here. I don’t expect to get it simply because I’ve pretty much lost all faith in all forms of the media in this country these days. Journalism has really just become a giant joke, and that includes sports journalism.
Well, if you take the good press, then you have to be prepared for the other side of the coin. The truth most likely lies in the middle of all those saying Lebron is the best human being ever and what you’re seeing more of now. But I tend to think that what we’re seeing now is closer to the “real” Lebron than the fawning stories we’ve seen since he entered the league. And not because he’s a bad guy or anything, but simply because he’s human with flaws and vanities that I believe have been encouraged by those that… Read more »
well said, rich. there is a double standard here and it’s being perpetrated by the media. i usually hate the “bash the media meme” but it seems undeniable in this instance. LBJ exceeded expectations and was a good citizen for 6 plus years and now when the slightest doubt can be cast on him or his intentions, the media go for the (over)kill! well, that little crack in LBJ’s armor was all the seemingly vindictive sports media need to mention him in the same breath as tiger!! are you f’in kidding me??? the sports media of today is in the… Read more »
Rich, in my opinion the reason is simple and unsatisfying: he’s the best. Many people are uncomfortable with their own mediocrity and respond with intense dislike for someone who is an extreme outlier. They then engage in illogical contortions in order to justify their hatred of the best without admitting its because they are themselves average, boring bastards and can’t stand the idea of someone else succeeding.
I think if the popular view was that Wade is far and away the best in the league, you’d see the exact opposite reaction, with Wade being labeled the drama queen.
What bothers me to no end is how LeBron is portrayed as a drama seeking whore, who is holding the entire league hostage. HE HASNT SAID MUCH OF ANYTHING?!?! My favorite is how the fact that he hasn’t already committed to the Cavs is a sign that he is leaving. Go read the terrible Rob Parker article for more details. By that reasoning, that means every single big name FA this summer is leaving, because none have committed. Now, does that seem plausible? Um..no. Also, why is LeBron the drama queen, when it is Wade who mentions the giant summit?… Read more »
I like LeBron’s shirt, it’s just obfuscated by the table. Also, Larry King looks like an Owl, from all angles.
Oh, and what a terrible shirt.
He says he hasn’t made up his mind but I have to say that all signs point Cleveland at the moment.
Perhaps the only thing that could swing it another way is he has a chance to play with Wade/Bosh on another potential championship team. Sounds like he’ll see what they have to say before he makes any kind of commitment.
If Cleveland can make a move for one of those FAs they’ll keep LeBron. I hope Gilbert and Ferry are working out some potential S&Ts with Toronto right now. I don’t care what Bosh’s list says.
Haha – yeah his shirt is @ DC.
I can’t help but notice that LeBron had Larry King come to his house.
Has his MVP celebrations in Akron.
Had his 60 minuets interview in Akron.
Had his Larry King interview at his home.
For a guy that longs for the bright lights, he really does seem to keep a lot of his exposure on his terms – and his terms are the 330 area code.
Larry King, the grizzled veteran, knows all about aliasing and wore a solid colored shirt. I can’t stand Larry King, so I’ll skip the interview. Fun thought experiment: If the guys available for the mythical “summit” all quit and started their own league, what are the odds they could be successful? Secondly, would they make more money than settling for “max” contracts long term? What if you include the fact that the CBA is expiring and there may be no league next year? Finally, how much does Carmelo hate his agent right now for signing him to that extra year?… Read more »
Some EXTREME aliasing going on with LBJ’s shirt and the table.