Opinion: James shames game by not facing music

[cboy4]

James did not react well to elimination. He didn’t shake hands with anybody, including Howard. And after running away to his locker room, he refused to come out and tell the media what happened.

We understand his crushing disappointment. James really thought this season was his turn to win a ring, and here he was out of the playoffs without even had a chance to play for the bling. He was the league’s MVP. James put up amazing numbers in the playoffs. But the Magic were better.

This isn’t Little League and it’s not CYO ball. It’s professional basketball, and when you are the leader of a professional team, there are things you must do. One of them is to stand up after every game, win or lose, and either bask in the glory or take the heat.

James was great at glory-basking. Few ever have been as good at discussing the wonderfulness of himself after great games, and understandably so. Now he’s got to learn about the obligation to stand up tall when things don’t go according to plan.

James shamed the game by walking off the court without exchanging handshakes with anyone. He insulted his teammates by opting out of the postgame press conferences, leaving them to answer for his shortcomings. When the going got tough, he ran away to pout.

Later, James told reporters he sent an e-mail to Howard on Saturday night.

“It’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them,” he said, the Associated Press reported. “I’m a winner. It’s not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.”

Well guess what, LeBron. Being a competitor also involves having some class when you lose.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/3298669/

[cboy4]

1. Even the biggest, whining cry baby of them all, Kobe Bryant does

the obligatory handshakes and press conference after he loses in the playoffs.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ellacott]

5. That's funny

This guy has done everything right and dealt with the media with class and respect. He was very wrong with his behavior after the loss but that doesn't negate everything else he has done. I don't think this will happen again.

It's funny you think that everyone is going to turn on him but you have people in the league who cheat on their wives, drive drunk and fight with the fans. People didn't turn on them but you think people might turn on Lebron. Too funny.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ellacott]

15. I don't get youtube on my job

I doubt he was as big of a bitch as many others in sports. He never went into the crowds to fight the fans, hasn't been busted with drugs or charged with rape.

[Tektonik]

18. It was just another one of his tantrums

Lebron needs to get used to losing, the Cavs are not winning a title next year, and if he leaves for the Knicks or Nets, he sure as hell won't win right away there. He may have to wait until he's 30 to get another good shot at a title.

[ellacott]

19. Another tantrum?

You make it sound like it's a regular thing. That's funny. I'll have to look at it when I get home. He's been in Cleveland for 5 years, he's used to losing. It's funny that espn and the rest of the media are pushing this move to New York. He's never given any indication that he wants to go to New York.

I could see him going to the Nets but I also could see him going to Utah. There is nothing about New York that would be a plus for him.

[cboy4]

22. Don't forget Charles Barkley had to tell him to stop talking about

leaving Cleveland.

And we all know LeBron gushed about Madison Square Garden's history when the Cavs played there this past winter.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=215&topic_id=79093

[Forkboy]

24. Sounds just like Manny.

he would do the exact same thing. Talk about wanting to leave, talk about how much he loved the Yankees and that he'd like to play for them someday the day before a series starts with them.

This is just LeBron being LeBron. :)

[cboy4]

25. Yea, but I can see him getting big saucer eyes about the thought of

playing home games in the heart of Manhattan, as opposed to Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

I can also see him getting saucer eyes about playing in a lot of places.

So, who knows.

[Forkboy]

28. "as opposed to Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland."

good point. :rofl:

[ellacott]

32. Obviously you've never been to Quicken Loans

or Cleveland Clinic Courts or drove past his 30k sq. foot house he just built.

Most of the people who talk about Cleveland have never been here. You believe what the media is telling you. Many athletes have made their home here after their professional career is over. Mike Fratello is on who still lives here.

[Forkboy]

34. It was a funny line anyways.

I actually have been to Cleveland, only briefly, but I'm seemed like a fine city to me.

Relax, I'm only in this for the chuckles. :silly:

[ellacott]

35. It's just that it's hard listening to all the Cleveland jokes.

[Forkboy]

37. I've said before that anyone who bases an entire city on a sports team is a fool.

There's tons of abuse going back and forth between NY and Boston. NY has always seemed smug and obnoxious, and the Sox, until recently, have always had an inferiority complex with NY. I'm a Boston guy, but I've been to NY, and I love it. Just because I hate the team doesn't mean I hate the city. And besides, I like the Indians when they aren't playing Boston. ;)

There's no way to avoid having your city trashed if you're a sports fan, so you can't take it personally or your blood pressure is sure to rise. People can say anything they want about Boston. I know what's it's really like here and that's good enough. It's a great city, and I'm sure Cleveland is, too. Any city that has winter works for me. :)

[ellacott]

38. So now I'm a fool?

I know about trashing talking sports fans. I didn't say I didn't like what you're saying about my city because of the sports team. Look, I live in Cleveland, our sports teams are trashed all the time. That's not what I have a problem with. You don't pay attention. I said I was tired of the Cleveland jokes. I didn't say I had a problem with jokes about my city's team

[Forkboy]

42. Defensive much?

I've said before that anyone who bases an entire city on a sports team is a fool.

Are you the one judging an entire city on a sports team? No. I didn't call you a fool. I do pay attention, quite well in fact.

If this is where being polite to you gets me, I'm out. You guys carry on.

[ellacott]

46. cya

[Forkboy]

48. Nice apology for being totally wrong about what I said.

You stay classy, ellacott.

[cboy4]

45. Let's see. I've seen the nice looking neighborhoods in West Cleveland.

I walked down to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and then walked around massive Cleveland Stadium while it was still there .. and looked out at the Lake.

I've seen a game a Jacobs Field, haven't seen the inside of the arena, but saw the outside.

Much nicer city than I anticipated and I say the same thing about Detroit.

But you cannot compare Quicken Loan Arena to Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City.

You cannot compare New York City to Cleveland. Sorry.

That's my point, and that's why I say I can completely understand why any player frankly would choose to play in the Big Apple instead of Cleveland.

Is that fair? No.

But when you listen to LeBron talk about all he wants to do with his life from a commercial standpoint, New York City is the perfect fit.

This has nothing to do with trashing Cleveland.

[ellacott]

47. Of course New York is a much nicer city than Cleveland

The Yankees get the big stars because they pay the big money. You don't have other stars in basketball clamoring to go to New York. He can still be a global icon without going to New York. Other stars have done that. He is already # 2 in popularity in China, behind Yao Ming. He already has deals in China and has had them for a few years.

In this age of techonology he doesn't have to be in New York to achieve commercial success.

What he really wants is a championship and that will influence his decision more than anything. The Knicks are blowing up their team and I'm not sure he wants to go through another rebuilding process. Also, the Cavs can pay him more than any other team.

[cboy4]

58. He's from the Cleveland area. Maybe he wants a change in scenery!11!

Who wants to spend their entire fricken life in the same town .. especially when you start making enough money to live on Neptune if you desire.

So no, he doesn't need to be in New York to do what he wants .. I think he wants to be in New York to do what he wants. WANTS.

And I don't blame him.


edit---->typo

[ellacott]

60. I guess my question is, how do you know he wants that?

That's been my whole point. He's never said anything about wanting to go to New York. It's been ESPN and Stephan A Smith who have been saying this is where he wants to go.

I could see him leaving also but I could see him in other places besides New York.

[cboy4]

61. Of course. I could see him in other places besides New York as well.

You're just beside yourself that he could end up there.

Not beside yourself that he could leave Cleveland, because you have every right to be about the potential.

But I'm talking about New York .. there's definitely something about New York that makes you loathe the fact that he'd even be considering going to America's #1 media market over any place else in the country.

Fascinating.

[ellacott]

62. No, honestly I'm not

I actually think he'd go to Brooklyn or Utah. I don't loathe New York at all. I think it's fascinating that people are buying into what ESPN has sold. He doesn't have to be in the #1 media market to be successful. He doesn't have to be in New York to be a global icon.

He may end up with the Knicks but their team has to be in contention for a championship. If they turn their team around next year then things might change.

[ellacott]

33. This makes no sense

Why haven't other basketball stars run to play there?

[ellacott]

31. He has never talked about leaving

or going to New York. You guys are letting ESPN fool you.

[Forkboy]

49. Fuck it. You weren't interested in the truth when talking to me above.

You took offense at an imagined slight that I never even said. I then explained it to you, and you still didn't have the class to admit you were wrong about what I said.

You want to act like a little child because someone is being mean about your city and piss on people who weren't even insulting you OR the city, then have a ball. You just showed less class than LeBron did in the OP. I never once attacked you, but because you had an attitude from the get go because of cboy, and you dumped it on me when I WAS TRYING TO STICK UP FOR YOU. Hellllooooo?

I'm sure your hyper defensiveness will surely help people see the light as to how good a city Cleveland is. Let us know how that works out for you.

[ellacott]

50. My goodness

Who's being a child now? He never said anything about going to New York. ESPN is the one who started this talk of him going to New York. On ESPN that identify him as New York forward Lebron James. That's why I made that comment. It has been well known to many that ESPN and Stephen A Smith(when he was with ESPN)were on a campaign to get him to New York.

I apolologize for not misinterpreting your comment about being a fool was not directed at you. Damn...

Now you are being hyper defensive.

Yoy folks are too funny.

[Forkboy]

52. LOL...you did exactly what I wanted.

I knew if someone acted like YOU were acting yesterday that maybe you'd get the idea of how defensive you were. Now do you see how silly it is?

Now you are being hyper defensive.

It's called acting to illicit a desired response. And it worked.

[ellacott]

59. Cool, glad I could help

Too funny

[cboy4]

51. Why the fuck am I always part of the blame?

LOL

[Forkboy]

53. You love it.

:)

[cboy4]

54. I know, but still .. you were as much in that discussion about Cleveland

as I was, yet my name comes up.

The sports forum paparazzi is always trying to fuck me over!!11!

[Forkboy]

56. Well, you don't think I'm going to blame myself, do you?

:D

Besides, I entered the thread trying to be nice to someone (often a mistake here on DU) and they totally took it as an attack. Since then Ive been a bastard, but before that I was being all nice and stuff. ;)

Well, except to Manny, but fuck him. :P

[ellacott]

30. He never talked about leaving Cleveland

That's why Lebron said he's stupid. Of course he gushed about MSG, it's an historic place. Kobe made the exact same comments and no one said a thing. Charles was wrong and Lebron is one of the few people who would call him on it.

You guys are something else.

[jakefrep]

68. What tantrums?

[ellacott]

40. Dirk Nowitski did the same thing but nothing was said about it

figures........ Many players have done this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysAH1c8nMrA

[Captain Hilts]

66. Why can't you call him a bastard?

[jakefrep]

3. What a load of bullshit. Who cares?

[bigwillq]

4. He should've showed more class

and sportsmanship. I understand he was upset but that is not an excuse. And I am a huge LeBron fan.

[ellacott]

6. I'm a huge Lebron fan also

I understand how upset he was but he should've handled it better. I think after things settle down he'll realize and admit his mistake.

[joeybee12]

8. Hopefully he will...he behanved badly, but it's not like he has a record of this...

...hopefully he'll learn in the future...tough losses are part of the game.

[ellacott]

9. Many people outside of cleveland don't understand how much was placed on his shoulders

People in the city were so invested in this team and Lebron knows all too well our history of disappointment. He gave it his all but he had no help from his team mates. It's surprising because they played so well until this series. A couple of made baskets and the outcome would have been reversed. Also, the play that lead to the win in Game 5 was not repeated in Game 6. That was a coach's decision. They lost but he gave it his all.

This loss hurt. The city was hurt along with Lebron.

As Chris Rock said, "It ain't right but I understand".

[Auggie]

7. He blew it...

maybe it should be expected from a 24 year old multi-millionaire who's full of himself.

[H2O Man]

10. Other.

He needs to become a NY Knick. There is no debating this scientific fact.

[Tektonik]

12. Lebron is already on the team with the second highest payroll in the league

Pretty sure the Knicks wouldn't help him all that much in his quest for a trophy.

[ellacott]

14. Also, the Knicks can't offer him more money

There's no indication that the Knicks would even be in contention for a championship. I think if he leaves it would be to Brooklyn and not the Knicks.

[Tektonik]

16. Agreed, the Nets would be better for Lebron

Devin Harris and Brook Lopez are better players than anyone the Cavs currently have.

[ellacott]

20. Actully, Mo Williams and Delonte West are good players

Mo Williams psyched himself out of the game and Delonte West expended so much energy guarding Hedo that it took away from his offense. He was also dealing with a hip pointer. I don't know why Lebron wasn't on Hedo.

I do like Brook Lopez. What's ironic is that the Cavs had a chance to draft Courtney Lee but they passed on him and drafted JJ Hickson who got injured and didn't play for the last few months. Lebron is friends with Courtney Lee, he works with Lebron's basketball clinics and I think this would have been a better pick.

[H2O Man]

17. You two

hate science. And the Knicks. Repent.

[Forkboy]

13. I know the Celtics fans around here sure liked that series.

[joeybee12]

21. What??????

I HATED it! It just made me realize that if they hadn't fallen apart in Game 6, they, too, could be facing the Fakers yet again!

[Forkboy]

23. LOL,,,fair enough

Me and my friends and my father remember the game earlier this year when the Cavs beat the Celtics and acted extra obnoxious about it. They won by 15 but you would've thought it was 100. I think a team should win a title before acting like it. I like LeBron, and he's usually a classy guy, but he has his moments (like the OP mentions). The fans can be as obnoxious as they want, but I think the teams should respect one another, even if you hate them while you're playing them.

One of the cool things about hockey is that when a player tries to show up another player or team he has to answer for it, so everyone in hockey has respect for the opponent, even if grudgingly. Oveckin pushed it when he scored his 50th goal this year. He layed his stick on the ice and held his hands over it like the stick was on fire. It didn't go over well with much of anyone not in Washington (and I bet even a few of his teammates). Ovechkin got the hint, and I bet he doesn't do anything like that again. Someone like Terrell Owens would last one week in the NHL before a teammate would clock him in practice for disrespecting the game, his team, or another team. The handshake at the end of every playoff series says a lot of the respect they have for each other. They go at it tooth and nail for two weeks, then shake hands when it's over. All sports should do that, though maybe not football as a 45 man handshake could take awhile. :)

If it came down to those two I would have rooted for the Lakers over the Cavs. I can't root against the Lakers like I do the Yankees and Canadiens because B-Ball isn't my diehard sport, and I always liked Kareem, Magic, Worthy and that whole team. Basketball was lot more fun back then to me. It's fun to root against them, but I never hated them (though Kobe is a smeghead for life).

Besides, if the Cavs couldn't beat Orlando they aren't going to beat L.A.

[joeybee12]

26. I actually liked the Lakers back with Magic, Kareem, et al...

...now I can't root for them even with a gun to my head. But you're right, Magic really acted badly at times...still, I have to root for them, but I probably won't watch any of the games.

Do you really think we can get TO on a pair of skates?

[Forkboy]

27. "Do you really think we can get TO on a pair of skates?"

If we do, I want to play the fucker! I know he's big and strong, but it's new world on skates. :evilgrin:

[joeybee12]

29. He'll be on his ass most of the time...

...it could only help his attitude. :toast:

[KamaAina]

36. My views about him have changed a bit

but not because of the aftermath, simply because he choked to a bunch of creeps who play in something called "Amway Arena". :puke: :puke: :puke: Just four months after uber-fundie Kurt Warner came within 35 seconds of winning a Super Bowl, now I have to watch these damn cult members go for a title. :grr:

[ellacott]

39. He didn't choke

His team did. He averaged 38-8-8 during this series.

[H2O Man]

41. Good point.

One player can't win a series at this point in the season. Takes a team.

[cboy4]

57. Oh listen to H20 Man sucking up to LeBron James because he's hoping

he plays for the Knicks. :rofl:

[H2O Man]

64. What ever it takes.

No apologies here. (grin) I even think he'd have made a heck of a heavyweight boxer .... just as long as he plays for the Knicks. More, I'll campaign for him for political office .... after he plays for the Knicks.

Be kind to old men who stubbornly remain Knick fans. We have so little else going for us!

[bluedigger]

43. I'm gonna cut him some slack.

He's young. He'll act better as he matures. He never had the chance to smell a title in college and learn the necessary humility. Look out next year!

[MrSlayer]

44. Hockey is the classiest sport.

The NBA is a joke league full of "me" players anymore. It's laughable that anyone is comparing this douchebag to Jordan. You don't have to congratulate the other guy for beating you, you just say "good series" or "have a nice summer" and go to the fucking press conference and suck it up. He's a punk.

[SidDithers]

55. I agree. The traditional handshake line at the end of a playoff series...

always seemed classy to me.

Sid

[cboy4]

63. **UPDATE** Stern wants chat with LeBron .. withholding judgment for now

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

ESPN.com news services

NBA commissioner David Stern says he has reached out to LeBron James about James' refusal to speak with the media after the Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated from the Eastern Conference finals.

But Stern is withholding judgment and not ready to makes his views on the incident public until he talks to James about what happened, he said Tuesday on ESPN Radio.

In an appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Stern acknowledged he was not pleased that James, the league's reigning MVP, didn't meet with the media, or shake hands with the Orlando Magic, following the Game 6 loss Saturday night.

Noting that in the recent past, other players and teams have been fined for failing to meet the league's media guidelines, Cowherd asked why James had not been fined.

"I'm in the process of making a phone call or two now to talk to LeBron ... so I don't want to speak to that at this moment," Stern said.

"So you're not happy?" Cowherd asked.

"I think that's fair to say," Stern replied.

When further asked about James' storming off the court without postgame handshakes with the Magic -- and whether one action was more troubling than the other -- Stern said both were important. "One goes to rules, another goes to values," he said. "I think both of them should be followed."

"Everything's big when you follow the NBA, so I'm going to step back and ask not to be pushed too hard right now ," Stern added. "I've got a few irons in the fire."

On Monday, NBA spokesman Tim Frank told 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand that James would not be fined, adding, "We haven't had any issues with him before at all."

Stern was also asked about the NBA's 19-year-old age limit for rookies, with recent allegations involving NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose's one college season at Memphis raising questions about whether talented high school stars should play a year in college before entering the NBA. Rose has been connected in media reports to NCAA allegations that a player on Memphis' 2007-08 Final Four team had a stand-in take his SAT. (Memphis said Tuesday that it was unable to find proof that a former player had cheated on the SAT.)

Stern pointed out that the NBA does not require that young players spend a year at college, noting they're free to play in Europe, the NBA Development League or in junior college. That, he said, gives them a year to play against tougher competition -- and better informs the teams that might draft them.

And despite the success of some players who successfully leapt from high school to the NBA, "there's a long list that I won't mention who didn't make it," Stern said. "The idea that allegations of wrongdoing suddenly get put back on the fact that like all employers we set entry-level requirements ... doesn't make any sense to me."

Stern also offered cautious optimism for the league's long-term economic outlook, saying he expects decreases in revenue next season despite recent record TV ratings for the playoffs. "Our business is affected by the economic downturn but not as badly as some others," he said. "It won't be cataclysmic but it will be noticeable."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=4224350&type=story

[cboy4]

65. ****UPDATE***** LeBron has benign growth removed from mouth

By Chris Broussard
ESPN The Magazine

LeBron James was playing with a health issue through the end of the season and the playoffs that has now been taken care of.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star underwent successful surgery on Tuesday at Cleveland Clinic to remove a benign growth in his mouth, the team said. Specifically, Dr. Frank Papay performed a five-hour procedure on James' parotid gland, which produces saliva. Surgery for such conditions often takes time because of the numerous nerves and blood vessels in that area of the jaw.

The procedure was first reported by ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard.

The Cavaliers released a statement saying doctors were "pleased with the outcome of the procedure, and at this time, are confident that no further treatment will be needed as LeBron is expected to make a full and complete recovery."

James and his family have been aware of this medical issue for several months but, with the clearance of the treating doctors and medical staff, decided to wait until the conclusion of the Cavaliers season to undergo the procedure.

James is recovering comfortably at the Cleveland Clinic and will soon be returning home.

The 24-year-old James was the league MVP this season after leading the Cavs to 66 regular-seasons wins and their second Central Division title. He averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds in Cleveland's series against the Magic, who won in six games.

James caused a minor controversy after Game 6 for not shaking hands with Orlando's players and skipping the postgame news conference.

Chris Broussard covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=4226010&type=story

[hughee99]

67. I think he's full of shit.

He wasn't pissed because the Cavs lost, he was pissed because he didn't play well. If Lebron had put up 50 points, and "did everything he could" he would have been out there to shake hands, and would have been at the press conference throwing his teammates under the bus while trying not to look like he was blaming them.