Lebron great player huge ego... little class

[samikeyp]

LeBron can do whatever the he wants, as long as it's not a crime. He's his own man. You're talking about sportsmanship, manners, and the "honor" of the game. What is this? Etiquette school? He was a punk for not congratulating the Magic and shaking their hands. It's. Not. A. Big. Deal.

Since when is sportmanship a bad thing?

[DPG21920]

It does change what you are saying Jam "keeping it real" Stone. If you are saying you like the fact he is not being fake by saying the truth, then him shaking hands before proves he is being fake either then or now. Which is it?

You playing dumb and saying it was wrong but not a big deal, Jordan did it and Duncan did it is a fail on your part because although you fail to acknowledge they always shook hands and then were bad sports on their own time, they did it within the "rules", like it or not.

Dwight Howard said he is still waiting for James to say congrats in person. But because you have already said you have not played high level sports it is clear that things like honoring the game and showing respect and sportsmanship do no resonate with you. I cannot give you any other analogies, how can you not understand? Maybe if you were playing Halo 3 online in a tournament and you won, and the other players all dissed you, you would get it.

You may not care, and that is fine, but don't play dumb and act like others (beat writers, pundits, players...) share your opinion when in fact the majority sees something wrong with it.

No one is accusing him of murder like you claim and you are the one making a big deal because you are arguing from a point of ignorance.

It is assness to be dismissive and act like everyone should just spout off whatever they want because at least they would be "keeping it real". Barkley speaks his mind, but he does so with a calculated precision. There is truth to back up his claims. Lebron shaking hands with the Spurs and going into the locker room to talk to Duncan after he lost in the finals, shows that Lebron knows how to act and how he truly is. Now, after the mess up, to say some stupid quote like that shows he is upset and being unprofessional.

But who cares about honoring the game and professionalism and respect.

[DPG21920]

No one is crucifying James like you are claiming. You are defending the man from things you are making up in your own mind. No one is rioting or boycotting the James brand.

People are saying it COULD be a problem IF the trend continues, but I have a hunch it will not. Did it rub people the wrong way? Of course. Are they "pussies" like you claim? Nope.

If people used your logic about "keeping it real", the world would be even more messed up than it already is. If I hate someone, I do not need to disrespect them in front of everyone, especially at the office. There is a time and place for everything and there is a time and place to man up and say I was wrong, not make up some b.s. excuse when there is evidence that you thought otherwise in the past. What happened to change his mind all of the sudden? Was he not a compe or or upset in 07?

[TheNextGen]

imo..lebron is a role model..and should act like it.

[DPG21920]

I am sure Lebron will still be in the top of jerseys sold and he will still be revered and loved. If it is just people like Ducks who will use this ammo non-stop, who cares? The majority of pundits will be status quo.

FAIL!!!

He himself says he is representing the league. He acknowledges his responsibility to send the right message and do things the right way. He has done a fantastic job and this was a minor mess up with regards to his persona and how fans look at him.

My bottom line is I don't care enough for me to hate on him to the degree some people are. Not all of you in this thread, probably not most of you. But, for those who think that it's this huge ordeal of him disrespecting the Magic and dishonoring the game and losing respect from players around the league and him being a horrible role model for kids, I just think it's too much.

But is was worse for him internally in the eyes of his peers. But this does not need defending from you unless people are going way overboard and even you said the majority of people are not, so why are you defending him so fiercely?

[JamStone]

I like the fact that he wasn't putting up a front this time. That's not defending the action of not shaking hands. That's saying that even though he did something wrong, at least he was being real about it. To me, if now he feels he has to be politically correct all the time and give an insincere apology, that would make it worse. I don't care if he's a hypocrite. I don't care he was a sore loser. I like that in this instance, he wasn't being pretentious. He has plenty of examples of being fake in the public eye. He wasn't here. That's why I think it's fine to the extent that he's not being fake this instance, not the act of being a sore loser. There's a difference.

Jordan shook hands because he was image conscious. That's why it doesn't matter to me that he shook hands. If you don't really want to shake hands, I'd rather you not just for the sake of your sponsors and fan base. Duncan is a good guy, for the vast majority of the time, a good sport. My example of him criticizing the Olympics wasn't to say it's on the same level or to the same degree as what LeBron did. It's to say fans are skewed in their logic when it's a player they like versus a player they don't like. Even if Duncan did the same thing as LeBron and not shook the hands of a team that beat him, not only would there be a huge number of fewer people here criticizing Duncan, but those that actually did would only make a quick note of it and drop it quickly.

Again, I have played sports compe ively. Not college or professional. But, again what does that matter? And I don't play computer games at all. No play station, xbox, any of that , so I don't know if that was another random crack at me. But, you keep getting twisted. Why are you bent about respect for the game? How really big of a deal is "respect for the game" especially when the game is over? You're getting concerned over that happens AFTER the game is over, AFTER the final buzzer. "Respect for the game" isn't necessarily about sportsmanship. Respect for the game is playing the game 150% during the game, giving your best effort. To me, that's respecting the game. To me, what happens before or after the game is the soap opera of modern pro sports.

Dwight also already stated that he received a text from LeBron that night. Dwight is being a pussy about it, but I think it's more driven by reporters that probably continue asking him about it. Of course he's not going to get a congratulations in person any time soon. LeBron left Orlando and Dwight is in LA. He got a freaking text. He can shut up about it, and more importantly people can stop asking him about it. Dwight also got pussy hurt over the Nike puppet commercials. They're freaking commercials and Dwight said he thought they were disrespectful. Jeez man, Nike should stop making LeBron shoes altogether before the Catholic Church gets involved.

I never once said people share my opinion. And, that's why I have kept posting it in this thread. I think people who think it's a big deal are morons for thinking so. That's my opinion. Disagree with it, fine. But, you're not going to change my opinion that harping and dwelling on this is stupid. He's not even in the playoffs anymore. Leave him alone. Leave this issue alone.

The "murder" comment is and was an exaggeration, hyperbole. Do I really need to explain that to you as well?

I think it is assness for players to be concerned with what LeBron did or what he failed to do, yes. I didn't say anyone can say whatever the they want. LeBron isn't speaking profanities or spewing hatred or anything even semi-serious. All he did was fail to live up to some notion of "sportsmanship" etiquette. Hardly a thing to make a huge production about, IN MY OPINION. And, once again, LeBron being a hypocrite does not change my opinion or my argument. Him being unprofessional, a sore loser, a punk, and every other adjective or insult you want to call him doesn't change the fact that I don't think people should care as much as some do.

Honoring the game is playing the game as hard as you can, as well as you can during the game. That's how a player honors the game.

Professionalism and respect are important, but you should already realize that in today's world, there are fewer and fewer genuinely professional and respectful players in any pro sport. That's what it's become. For every Shane Battier and Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning, there are 500 Terrell Owens and Manny Ramirezes and Ricky Davises. If we as fans worried about those unprofessional and disrespectful players all the time, we would get inundated with pathetic coverage like TO doing sit-ups in his driveway or the Roger Clemens scandal ALL THE TIME. Yes, LeBron is one of the biggest names in the NBA and in all of sports. I understand why people want to focus on it more because it's him. I still think it gets out of hand. I watch sports for sports. The extra stuff is cool and funny and entertaining sometimes. But, people worried about LeBron not shaking hands and not apologizing are way too into the soap opera drama of sports than sports itself.

I didn't care about the Roger Clemens scandal. I turned ESPN off during that whole time. I turned off the TV during Joe Torre's firing and hiring last year. I change the channel every time Brett Favre is in the news. I think all of that sucks. I watch sports for sports. That's why whether or not people agree with me, I think it's stupid to worry about the "disrespectful" actions of a player that is no longer in the playoffs.

[angel_luv]

I think it was really lame of Lebron to act the way he did. I think that in this instance he was a poor role model.

But even in that James can be used as an example to kids- an example on how not to behave.
A parent can use James as an example without crucifying James or ruining his image with kids.

If I had kids I would tell them something like:" James was frustrated and acted poorly. But he made a good decision by sending the congratulatory e-mail after he had time to cool down.
So it is best to do the right thing immediately, but if you fail to, make sure to make it right as quickly as possible. "

It was an unbecoming thing James did, but I have seen much worst displays of temper.
Additionally, I have been tempted to be jealous and be a bad sport. More than once I have done stupid things in the heat of the moment, although luckily for me in front of a much smaller audience.

James should have acted better. But plenty of times the same could be said about me.

James deserves the "What a baby!" comments (and will likely get them for the next several weeks) but not to have this long held against him.

[DPG21920]

No, quit playing dumb and asking "do I need to explain it". You are saying outlandish , that I obviously know is not literal. You are doing it because you are trying to justify your point that I eluded to as invalid.

No one is saying Lebron murdered anyone (hyperbole), you are making it seem like he is being crucified (hyperbole) when he is not.

So Dwight Howard (who was involved in the incident directly), the writers and analysts (who cover the game and have inside access) and the fans on this board, all except for you that see something wrong are pussies? You sound ridiculous and you have no ground to stand on.

Lebron is being fake now, not before. He is being fake now because he knows what everyone but you gets; that he messed up. You may call it what you will when he starts shaking hands again, but that is the real Lebron and a true PROFESSIONAL. It will not be "selling out", that is what he did when he did not shake hands then said that ridiculous quote that everyone but you knows was bull crap.

Playing hard is one part of honoring the game and he has gotten that right. This one time he messed up and people grilled him and rightly so, especially after the Cuban-esque apology. You feel the need to support him and make the issue bigger than it is because you do not feel he should be criticized.

You feel you have to go above and beyond in being the most "neutral basketball fan" by over defending the likes of Kobe and Lebron. Get over it. Sometimes the hate can be annoying, but this time no one is hating blindly, or at least not to the degree you are making it out to be.

Lebron is the one being puss along with you. This NBA players do not need you coming to their rescue.

[DPG21920]

I think it was really lame of Lebron to act the way he did. I think that in this instance he was a poor role model.

But even in that James can be used as an example to kids- an example on how not to behave.
A parent can use James as an example without crucifying James or ruining his image with kids.

If I had kids I would tell them something like:" James was frustrated and acted poorly. But he made a good decision by sending the congratulatory e-mail after he had time to cool down.
So it is best to do the right thing immediately, but if you fail to, make sure to make it right as quickly as possible. "

It was an unbecoming thing James did, but I have seen much worst displays of temper.
Additionally, I have been tempted to be jealous and be a bad sport. More than once I have done stupid things in the heat of the moment, although luckily for me in front of a much smaller audience.

James should have acted better. But plenty of times the same could be said about me.

James deserves the "What a baby!" comments (and will likely get them for the next several weeks) but not to have this long held against him.

Exactly and that is what everyone but Jamstone understands. He messed up this once, but no one is holding it against him in a malicious manner. If he does the right thing going forward, something he has been known to do, no problem.

There will only be a problem if the trend continues.

[samikeyp]

Professionalism and respect are important, but you should already realize that in today's world, there are fewer and fewer genuinely professional and respectful players in any pro sport. That's what it's become. For every Shane Battier and Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning, there are 500 Terrell Owens and Manny Ramirezes and Ricky Davises.

I think people do realize it and that's why they don't like it. Also, some fans don't like it but are willing to deal with it if it means a winning team. In a small way, I don't blame those athletes. They have had sunshine blown up their asses since they were 5 years old and no one corrected them when they made their first taunt or gesture and it grew from there.


Just because it is going on, doesn't mean it should or that it has too. But by the time a player gets to the pros, the coaches are either powerless or afraid to do anything.

[JamStone]

No one is crucifying James like you are claiming. You are defending the man from things you are making up in your own mind. No one is rioting or boycotting the James brand.

People are saying it COULD be a problem IF the trend continues, but I have a hunch it will not. Did it rub people the wrong way? Of course. Are they "pussies" like you claim? Nope.

If people used your logic about "keeping it real", the world would be even more messed up than it already is. If I hate someone, I do not need to disrespect them in front of everyone, especially at the office. There is a time and place for everything and there is a time and place to man up and say I was wrong, not make up some b.s. excuse when there is evidence that you thought otherwise in the past. What happened to change his mind all of the sudden? Was he not a compe or or upset in 07?

There are people in this thread that are taking it to the extreme and are criticizing him for this act alone and not whether it becomes a trend. And it's not just ducks. Start from page 1 and you'll see.

As for your comments about "keeping it real," it's not like LeBron said, " Dwight Howard and those Magic gots. They aint ." He didn't. And I'm not suggesting anyone can say anything as long as they are "keeping it real." I'm not defending profanity or hatred or anything even semi-serious. I'm saying that I'm cool with comments that YOU and others feel don't fall in line with "sportsmanship." Come on now. It's not blatant or overt disrespect, especially in LeBron's eyes. If he were saying stuff like I said earlier, it's one thing. LeBron isn't even "hating" the Magic. You got this twisted.

LeBron's a hypocrite. I've written that several times and you keep bringing up points that I've addressed. It's more that you're ignoring my main point this whole time. What happens before and after the game is not that much of a huge concern to me. That's soap opera drama. I watch sports for the game. I rarely watch pre games or post games, except for TNT post game and that's for the comedic entertainment. If something after the game is amusing or entertaining, then I'll watch and comment on that.

But this? This should be a non-story. This entire time, I've been criticizing those people who want to continue to make this a big deal. He's out of the playoffs. Why even worry about the actions or non-actions of a player that's no longer in the playoffs? That's been my whole thing. I haven't been arguing that LeBron isn't a sore loser, wasn't wrong, or isn't a hypocrite. I've been arguing that people shouldn't care as much as some do.

[DPG21920]

Point is simple, Jam is arguing that it is being blown out of proportion when in fact he is the one doing it.

I have not seen any anti-Lebron rallies or major fall outs witht the media. He is getting a few articles and discussions about it. Jam keeps saying that if "Duncan or x player..." would have done it...He keeps making large assumptions and I would be willing to bet that if some random player did it, and people wrote articles about it, Jam would not defend them so vigorously. He feels the need to come to Kobe and Lebron's rescue for some strange reason.

[JamStone]

I think people do realize it and that's why they don't like it. Also, some fans don't like it but are willing to deal with it if it means a winning team. In a small way, I don't blame those athletes. They have had sunshine blown up their asses since they were 5 years old and no one corrected them when they made their first taunt or gesture and it grew from there.


Just because it is going on, doesn't mean it should or that it has too. But by the time a player gets to the pros, the coaches are either powerless or afraid to do anything.

But what I'm saying is that we as fans worried about it every time, wouldn't even be about sports anymore. I know LeBron is a huge sports star and that's why it will get more pub than if it were another athlete. I still think people shouldn't. That's all. Moreover, if people feel compelled to overreact to things, I think people should save it for the really bad stuff.

If LeBron spit on a kid or if he said " Kobe" or if were to give the fans in a road game the middle finger, then I would understand the backlash. This is a case where he didn't shake hands and didn't talk to reporters and didn't make an apology. How egregious is that? Think about it.

If it were LeBron and not Glen Davis who accidentally pushed a kid in the front row, these same people would be condemning LeBron for that too. I just really think people get carried away because they love to see a superstar fall from grace and love to hate. I think it's time to just talk about the Magic and the Lakers.

But, I've obviously done enough talking about this topic myself. So the hypocrite that I am, I better apologize before someone thinks I'm disrespectful or something. Sorry everybody.

This will be my last post on this topic, in this thread...

...probably.

[DPG21920]

I get what you are saying, but just because he did not cuss does not mean he did not disrespect. I could agree with you maybe on the after the game antics, but he left as soon as the buzzer sounded (maybe before). On national tv.

If you come to shake my hand, and I ignore you and walk off, although I was not cussing or fighting it is still disrespectful.

The quote is what is bothering most I think. You do not have to cuss in order to be blatantly disrespectful. That was blatant disrespect to not acknowledge your opponent who bested you.

My whole thing is that you continue to say people are making this a huge issue and it is not. It is definitely something to monitor and talk about, but there will be no backlash from this.

Why criticize people who cherish things like sportsmanship as long as they are not going overboard? The vast majority are not.

[DPG21920]

Oh, and since you said that the above was your last post, and you are obligated not to respond:

I am way better than Jamstone and if that was not true he would post something





I know he said "probably"

[The Franchise]

It was a sissy move and showed a lack of maturity in my opinion, but it is getting blown way out of proportion by sportswriters. They have turned this simple act of immaturity into a Young And The Restless type of drama.

[bostonguy]

It was a sissy move and showed a lack of maturity in my opinion, but it is getting blown way out of proportion by sportswriters. They have turned this simple act of immaturity into a Young And The Restless type of drama.

That's how is goes if you are seen as the present and future face of the NBA. They will over praise you while you are on top, and they will blow any negative thing you do way out of proportion.

[Warlord23]

I can see how both sides of the debate have good points. Personally I think if he wants to be a role-model, he needs to act like one.

Also JamStone, Duncan didn't call FIBA re ed. You're mixing up your quotes.

Duncan's quote regarding FIBA was -> "I'm about 95 percent certain my FIBA career is over," Duncan said. "FIBA sucks."" While that may still be considered somewhat unsportsmanlike, he didn't call FIBA re ed, for the record.

The "re ed" quote was in response to Stern's dress code.