Author Topic: LeBron needs a 1hr ESPN special to make his decision public (Read 9534 times)

79Warrior · « **on:** July 07, 2010, 12:55:17 PM »

Give me a break. The ego of this never having won an NBA championship glamour queen is amazing.

PuertoRicanNightmare · « **Reply #1 on:** July 07, 2010, 01:33:02 PM »

I honestly think, for all the talk of the "Lebron Brand," that this ESPN thing is a huge mistake. This is going to be an hourlong show, at the end of which he'll announce he's staying in Cleveland. He's making himself look like a prima donna, which I don't think has previously been the case.

Who does he think he is? He's won exactly nothing! ESPN should also be ashamed of themselves.

LON · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2010, 01:40:18 PM »

Brett Favre says this is getting out of control.

HoopsMalone · « **Reply #3 on:** July 07, 2010, 01:44:05 PM »

Yep. It kind of creates resentment and a reason not to like James. Wherever he goes he will be more than forgiven. The 5 teams left out will boo him forever. The charity thing does not make up for it since James could just give money to charity himself.

MauraDay · « **Reply #4 on:** July 07, 2010, 01:46:40 PM »

Quote from: LancesOtherNut on July 07, 2010, 01:40:18 PM

Brett Favre says this is getting out of control.

Hilarious.

MUBurrow · « **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2010, 02:07:55 PM »

i know i'll be in the minority here, but I kind of dig it. same thing with Bosh making a documentary about the wooing of Chris Bosh. here are guys that played out their contracts, and didnt b**ch and complain for trades or new contracts, etc. most of them played for either crappy teams or teams that werent crappy solely because they were on them. so when it comes around to essentially getting recruited again, why not live it up? everyone else is piling attention on you, taping your every move and following your car everywhere it goes. why dont you get the chance to dictate an iota of the media coverage? the charity thing is a cool plus, and I don't see why LBJ or anyone else should have to announce in some subdued way when they have been hounded and had no semblance of a personal life for months now.

whether or not they like the attention is kind of beside the point to me. we cant want up to the second blogs and coverage (even if we don't think we want it, we tell the networks we do) and then demand that LBJ pass a note under the table to stern about his decision.

reinko · « **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2010, 02:22:49 PM »

Stan Van Jeremy putting Bosh/Wade/Bron on blast...

Love it!

As Van Gundy put it a few minutes ago , “It takes 15 seconds to say, ‘I’ve decided to stay in Cleveland,’ but we’ve got another 59 minutes and 45 seconds to, what? Promote LeBron James? As if we don’t do that enough.”

Choosing one quote over another from the 7 minutes we spoke to Van Gundy about this before AirTran Airways Pro Summer League tipped off is completely impossible, so I’ve posted a nearly full transcript of Van Gundy’s thoughts on free agency.

Some highlights:

1. He thinks the whole spectacle is ridiculous and said the big three did a nice job putting on a charade.

2. He likened Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade together to Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol and also said he wasn’t surprised Bosh went to Miami because he’d been following Wade around “for two weeks like a lapdog.”

3. He seemed to have great admiration for the way Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant handled their recent contract extensions. “You don’t hear Kobe Bryant and certainly not Kevin Durant talking about their brand … they’re simply basketball players who want to be great players and win games.”

4. He hopes Pat Riley doesn’t return to coach the Heat (thus unseating Erik Spoelstra).

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2010/07/stan-van-gundy-will-not-watch-lebron-james-espn-announcement-special.html

Windyplayer · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2010, 02:32:30 PM »

Quote from: MUBurrow on July 07, 2010, 02:07:55 PM

i know i'll be in the minority here, but I kind of dig it. same thing with Bosh making a documentary about the wooing of Chris Bosh. here are guys that played out their contracts, and didnt b**ch and complain for trades or new contracts, etc. most of them played for either crappy teams or teams that werent crappy solely because they were on them. so when it comes around to essentially getting recruited again, why not live it up? everyone else is piling attention on you, taping your every move and following your car everywhere it goes. why dont you get the chance to dictate an iota of the media coverage? the charity thing is a cool plus, and I don't see why LBJ or anyone else should have to announce in some subdued way when they have been hounded and had no semblance of a personal life for months now.

whether or not they like the attention is kind of beside the point to me. we cant want up to the second blogs and coverage (even if we don't think we want it, we tell the networks we do) and then demand that LBJ pass a note under the table to stern about his decision.

I agree that the prized free agents should live it up and enjoy the attention they are receiving from a handful of teams--they're entitled to that. That said, there's a a happy medium where a subdued announcement meets a one-hour press conference. I find the whole thing so off-putting. Don't tell me that James or the other two haven't been able to "dictate an iota" of the media coverage, that's absurd. It's not like this is negative attention that they can't control. They're feeding the media as much as they want to--whether it's via a Twitter interview or a few words spoken at a basketball camp. I would understand your argument if James was being bashed by the media and this was his way of regaining control, but that's clearly not the case. The media has been civil about this whole thing. The fact of the matter is, he thinks he's the greatest thing ever and he wants to assert that one more time by calling attention to himself on a national network on prime time. And the charity thing, please, what a pathetic disguise.

MUCrew · « **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2010, 02:35:02 PM »

http://twitter.com/OGOchoCinco/status/17964214624
http://twitter.com/JaredDudley619/status/17967607292

Also heard a report that the 1 hour special will be in Allan Houston's Grenich Connecticut home.

HoopsMalone · « **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2010, 02:40:24 PM »

Hype for the show

shiloh26 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2010, 02:48:30 PM »

Quote from: MUBurrow on July 07, 2010, 02:07:55 PM

i know i'll be in the minority here, but I kind of dig it. same thing with Bosh making a documentary about the wooing of Chris Bosh. here are guys that played out their contracts, and didnt b**ch and complain for trades or new contracts, etc. most of them played for either crappy teams or teams that werent crappy solely because they were on them. so when it comes around to essentially getting recruited again, why not live it up? everyone else is piling attention on you, taping your every move and following your car everywhere it goes. why dont you get the chance to dictate an iota of the media coverage? the charity thing is a cool plus, and I don't see why LBJ or anyone else should have to announce in some subdued way when they have been hounded and had no semblance of a personal life for months now.

whether or not they like the attention is kind of beside the point to me. we cant want up to the second blogs and coverage (even if we don't think we want it, we tell the networks we do) and then demand that LBJ pass a note under the table to stern about his decision.

Agree in principle... I just can't imagine how bad he is going to look IF he sets up this show and then turns down Cleveland on national television. I feel that they could forgive him and move on if he made his decision without contributing to the circus himself. Once he starts to live it up like this, he looks real bad if he doesn't stay in his hometown. If he doesn't stick with the Cavs after this, he's going to be every the new Art Modell to every 8-25 year old in Cleveland.

MUBurrow · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2010, 02:53:44 PM »

ive heard that line of thinking on turning down the Cleve on national TV, but heres another angle he might have had in mind.

He wants to leave, but is guilt ridden about it. So he devises a forum where he will be able to talk and explain himself in an attempt to apologize to Cleveland or equally likely put his conscience at ease about leaving. To further that endeavor, he devises the plan for charity so no one can call him any greedier than he will already look by leaving (particularly if theres truth to the NYK rumors). So in his mind, this is his opportunity to give a nationally public farewell and thank you to Cleveland while giving a substantial monetary donation back to the community.

shiloh26 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2010, 03:04:43 PM »

Quote from: MUBurrow on July 07, 2010, 02:53:44 PM

ive heard that line of thinking on turning down the Cleve on national TV, but heres another angle he might have had in mind.

He wants to leave, but is guilt ridden about it. So he devises a forum where he will be able to talk and explain himself in an attempt to apologize to Cleveland or equally likely put his conscience at ease about leaving. To further that endeavor, he devises the plan for charity so no one can call him any greedier than he will already look by leaving (particularly if theres truth to the NYK rumors). So in his mind, this is his opportunity to give a nationally public farewell and thank you to Cleveland while giving a substantial monetary donation back to the community.

That's a little different than the earlier scenario... here, he's not really having fun or living it up, he just thinks this is the best way to break the news to his fans. If he really did this right, like how you said, it would be tough for them to be mad at him: Offers a sincere thank you, explains why he's leaving (and no one in Cleveland could really blame him for that alone, since they haven't been able to put anything around him), and on the way out gives a ton of money. He's probably the only person in the world that could command an hour of ESPN's time like this, and if he does it the right way, it would actually be a pretty classy move.

Certainly, is an interesting perspective on it that changes the way it would be percieved. Although in this scenario, if he really is that somber about it, I can't really see him leaving at all.

Ari Gold · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2010, 03:42:42 PM »

at least all the $ from the show is going to the Boys and Girls Club?

#MUBB · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2010, 05:42:10 PM »

Quote from: Ari Gold on July 07, 2010, 03:42:42 PM

at least all the $ from the show is going to the Boys and Girls Club?

exactly. he's not doing it for $$ or publicity or to boost his ego. he's already one of the richest and most recognizable athletes. its safe to say the brand that is Lebron doesn't need this by any means. its our fault for the entire world seemingly being kept up at night wondering where he'll end up. and oh yeah, proceeds all go to the boys & girls club of america... real easy to hate on that.

thatman32 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 07, 2010, 05:45:16 PM »

How can someone be called 'The King' when they haven't won any titles? So what does that make you the king of?

I also thing SVG is right do you need a TV show to make your decision . . .sound rather narcissistic!

brewcity77 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 07, 2010, 06:30:08 PM »

To be fair, he was dubbed "King James" as a teenager before he even entered the league. And my thought is if he's doing this special, he better be leaving Cleveland. Who wants to waste an hour of their lives only to hear "I'm not going anywhere." A waste regardless, but moreso if he just stays home.

TallTitan34 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 07, 2010, 07:44:50 PM »

Quote from: MU Butta33 on July 07, 2010, 05:42:10 PM

he's not doing it for $$ or publicity or to boost his ego.

Well you're right in that he is not doing it for the money but he's definitely doing it to boost the ego.

Markusquette · « **Reply #18 on:** July 07, 2010, 08:51:34 PM »

Quote from: TallTitan34 on July 07, 2010, 07:44:50 PM

Well you're right in that he is not doing it for the money but he's definitely doing it to boost the ego.

Definitely, how could it even be argued he wasn't?

ErickJD08 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 07, 2010, 09:03:31 PM »

Dude, he took away video of him getting dunked on. But they all have egos. There was some rumor that said that Wade was turned off that the Bulls went ahead and had a meeting with LBJ after meeting with Wade. Give me a break. They all have egos.

RawdogDX · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2010, 10:02:07 PM »

Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on July 07, 2010, 01:33:02 PM

I honestly think, for all the talk of the "Lebron Brand," that this ESPN thing is a huge mistake. This is going to be an hourlong show, at the end of which he'll announce he's staying in Cleveland. He's making himself look like a prima donna, which I don't think has previously been the case.

Who does he think he is? He's won exactly nothing! ESPN should also be ashamed of themselves.

I hear that he's going to let everyone know 10 minutes in, hopefully a long apology to Cavs fans will follow.

MUEng92 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2010, 10:11:38 PM »

Quote from: Ari Gold on July 07, 2010, 03:42:42 PM

at least all the $ from the show is going to the Boys and Girls Club?

I thought I read that the money from the commercials was going to B&GC. Any chance he might be getting an "appearance fee" from ESPN on the side? Everything else about this free agency period has been one rumor after another, so I might as well start one too.

As I said in the other thread, I was on the fence in my opinion of LeFavre James (that has been cracking me up all day!), but this clinched it. I really, really hope he stays away from Miami, because I don't want to have to root for him indirectly while rooting for Wade.

HoopsMalone · « **Reply #22 on:** July 07, 2010, 10:36:45 PM »

There is nothing he can say to Cleveland's fans if he decides not to go. A one-hour see ya later to everyone in Ohio is hopefully beneath him.

LON · « **Reply #23 on:** July 08, 2010, 07:43:11 AM »

Bron Bron is so far up his own a** he makes the Kardashians look humble.

Adrian Wojnarowski puts it quite well:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-lebrondecision070710

LON · « **Reply #24 on:** July 08, 2010, 07:44:03 AM »

Quote from: RawdogDX on July 07, 2010, 10:02:07 PM

I hear that he's going to let everyone know 10 minutes in, hopefully a long apology to Cavs fans will follow.

A buddy heard on ESPN Radio that he has to announce within the first 18 minutes

reinko · « **Reply #25 on:** July 08, 2010, 08:02:53 AM »

Quote from: LancesOtherNut on July 08, 2010, 07:44:03 AM

Heard on ESPN Radio that he has to announce within the first 18 minutes

He has to? That sounds a bit odd.

LON · « **Reply #26 on:** July 08, 2010, 08:20:28 AM »

Quote from: reinko on July 08, 2010, 08:02:53 AM

He has to? That sounds a bit odd.

I revised my statement, I was picked up by a friend who said he had heard it just before I got in the car...

My guess, ESPN wants to run out those ratings figures for the first 18 minutes and not the whole show?

WellsstreetWanderer · « **Reply #27 on:** July 08, 2010, 09:07:17 AM »

He won't announce until the 56th minute to keep us all interested. I've got better things to do than waste an hour on Lebron hoopla.

willie warrior · « **Reply #28 on:** July 08, 2010, 09:55:22 AM »

LEBRONNA the ULTIMATE PRIMA DONNA. MAKES FAVRE LOOK SEMI_INTELLIGENT!!!

HoopsMalone · « **Reply #29 on:** July 08, 2010, 09:56:33 AM »

This moved from the first ten minutes to the first 18 minutes now. There are so many mind games about this show. He has been for sure going to Chicago, Cleveland, New York, and Miami at different times in the last seven days.

As much as I hate to say it, there is no way I am going to miss it now. It's dumb of me to feed the fury by giving them one more rating, but I know I will.

I don't think James is helping himself. Fans are going to resent this. People are going to root against him I think. People are going to swing to rooting for Kobe. What a turnaround.

shiloh26 · « **Reply #30 on:** July 08, 2010, 10:18:17 AM »

Quote from: HoopsMalone on July 08, 2010, 09:56:33 AM

This moved from the first ten minutes to the first 18 minutes now. There are so many mind games about this show. He has been for sure going to Chicago, Cleveland, New York, and Miami at different times in the last seven days.

As much as I hate to say it, there is no way I am going to miss it now. It's dumb of me to feed the fury by giving them one more rating, but I know I will.

I don't think James is helping himself. Fans are going to resent this. People are going to root against him I think. People are going to swing to rooting for Kobe. What a turnaround.

I agree. The more I think about him probably going to Miami the more pissed I get. Of Chicago, New York, Cleveland, and Miami, the Miami choice is the biggest cop-out. He could have committed to his hometown team and stuck around in Cleveland, could have gambled mediocrity for being the biggest athlete in the world by going to New York and getting a ring, or could have just demanded Bosh come with him to Chicago (Boozer, still a great consolation prize) and be the best team in the NBA for 5 years. Going to Miami with Wade just seems lame. They'll be really good, but it'll never really be his team. And as everyone has argued, there is the real possibility that they never all work out together. Which one of those 2 is willing to be Scottie Pippen? Does anyone want to see either one become Scottie Pippen?

As I argued before on here, I don't think LeBron cares about his legacy as much as Kobe or Jordan did. That's fine, and if he wants to go and have the time of his life with Wade and Bosh that's fine, but its offputting to lots of fans. Maybe it shouldn't be, but it is.

Ari Gold · « **Reply #31 on:** July 08, 2010, 10:36:55 AM »

LeBron James is a cocksucker
http://deadspin.com/5581889/lebron-james-is-a-cocksucker

HoopsMalone · « **Reply #32 on:** July 08, 2010, 10:41:40 AM »

James is alienating the NY/NJ market, the Chicago market, and the Ohio market. That is a lot of population that will be booing him every game. Not necessarily a good marketing move in my opinion to turn off two of the bigger markets and be considered a traitor to his hometown. I hope the Bulls keep building and that this Russian guy builds a squad on the Nets to beat up this Heat team.

I hate that Wade is on the team because he is my favorite player, but I dont want to see this Heat team win it ever.

reinko · « **Reply #33 on:** July 08, 2010, 11:09:44 AM »

Quote from: Ari Gold on July 08, 2010, 10:36:55 AM

LeBron James is a cocksucker
http://deadspin.com/5581889/lebron-james-is-a-cocksucker

Looks like it is time to update the curse filter.

Ari Gold · « **Reply #34 on:** July 08, 2010, 11:26:13 AM »

Quote from: reinko on July 08, 2010, 11:09:44 AM

Looks like it is time to update the curse filter.

1/2 my time spent on Scoop is now devoted to figuring out what is and isn't censored.

Regardless, it's one of the funniest articles I've ever read and it's true: It's Cleveland. It blows. There's nothing to do in that town except masturbate and cry.

LON · « **Reply #35 on:** July 08, 2010, 11:39:07 AM »

Quote from: Ari Gold on July 08, 2010, 10:36:55 AM

LeBron James is a cocksucker
http://deadspin.com/5581889/lebron-james-is-a-cocksucker

I loved that article.

News:

Recent Posts

Please Register - It's FREE!

Author Topic: LeBron needs a 1hr ESPN special to make his decision public (Read 9534 times)