lebron getting ripped by talk radio

[reez87]

He should have shook hands with the other team, period.

You lose, you shake hands.. Dwight shot that final three pointer so i think lebron had a right to leave and skip out on the handshakes, returning the sense of disrespect.. But i also think the magic earned the right to be acknowledged as the better team by their opponent...

Lebron also was an idiot for skipping out on his teammates with post games interviews... Hes an idiot for wearing that yankee cap in his first appearance, he knew what he was doing.. As a lebron fan I am not affected by this... but if i were a clevland fan i dont see how that is any different than amare stoudamire telling a radio station that he wants the knicks to sign him.. :S That's unfair to your fans and your team.

Then again he did avg something like 40ppg 8rpg and 8apg........................

[TheOUTLAW]

The difference is that Cavs fans know that LeBron has repeatedly said he loves the team and the area. However, he's a Yankees fan. I really don't see any connection between wearing the hat and asking for a team to actually sign you however. Fact is, the Cavs really don't care, Cavs fans don't care and the Magic don't care. Should he have shook hands? Sure, but frankly this has gotten more press than anything short of Kobes rape trial.

[wizardg]

I'm not doubting that the same talking heads would be complaining. I just don't think it's that important to most sports fans.

Thank you.
shaking hands is a nice jesture but I watch games I don't pay attention to who shakes hands unless its magic and isiah kissing or something like that.

he should have spoken to the media .... he was wrong but its over and done. But hey, i feel for him.

I've been watching basketball since the last Celtic championship and I've seen only three other players who've played as well as LJ in these playoffs. Not nec in this order.
Jabbar, Jordan, Shaq.

And Jabbar and Shaq won it all.

So the only other player I've seen play that well and not get a ring was Jordan and he basically did the same thing. Except he stopped speaking to the media after game 1 or 2. Whenever it was it was when they unleashed the jordan rules on him.

When he lost I believe he shook Dumars hand but steered clear of Thomas and Rodman, and Bill L.

[Manny Phresh]

and you know what... Not only am I glad he did it... He needs to do it more... That shows an attitude that he doesn't like to lose. I know how he felt and honestly I would have done the same thing. To have the whole weight of Cleveland on his shoulders, to be named MVP, to have the league's best record, he did everything he could to keep his team in it and when he lost he was emotionally moved. He preached all year about how all of these accolades meant nothing if they didn't win a championship and to do all he could but not fulfill his statements was tough for him to experience. As people said Cavs' fans don't really care. Most of us want a championship and could care less who shakes hands and who addresses the media. Stop trying to kick the man while he's down I know alot of you dislike LeBron. Honestly why is this still being talked about?

[yungal07]

and you know what... Not only am I glad he did it... He needs to do it more... That shows an attitude that he doesn't like to lose. I know how he felt and honestly I would have done the same thing. To have the whole weight of Cleveland on his shoulders, to be named MVP, to have the league's best record, he did everything he could to keep his team in it and when he lost he was emotionally moved. He preached all year about how all of these accolades meant nothing if they didn't win a championship and to do all he could but not fulfill his statements was tough for him to experience. As people said Cavs' fans don't really care. Most of us want a championship and could care less who shakes hands and who addresses the media. Stop trying to kick the man while he's down I know alot of you dislike LeBron. Honestly why is this still being talked about?

Oh please. No athlete likes to lose. Did the Hawks/Pistons players run to the locker room after they lost? No, they shook the man's hand and kept it moving. There's a certain level of respect you show your opponent, win or loss, and Lebron didn't show any.

And the reason it's being talked about is because Lebron is a figurehead. If it was another lesser known player, no one would care. But kids look up to the guy, and when they see their favorite player showing no class, they think it's alright. That's why sports radio is talking about it.

[TheOUTLAW]

I'm pretty sure we already knew what your viewpoint was on this. But the fact is had it not been for the media I wouldn't have know any of this. I don't think I've ever noticed who is shaking hands with whom at the end of games. I just know it's tradition in sports to shake hands with your opponent. I don't however think it's a big thing that he didn't. What I thought was the problem was the explanation afterward. Of course, this is about the 4-5th time I've said the exact same thing in this thread. Sure other players have shaken hands with their opponents while they've also gotten into fights in games or off the court or had drug issues or repeated run ins with the police, cheated on their wives. And yet, LeBron is the one showing no class. I'd just as soon have him not show class in this and be a more decent person otherwise.

[Gordon Bombay]

A YUNGAL POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JSrose115]

the media is making a big deal out of nothing, WHO CARES!....this is effin ridiculous....athletes will always get pounded for stupid stuff like this....samething with celebrities....it's the media's job to criticize and make big issues out of nothing to gain attention.

[EasternMagic]

The difference is that Cavs fans know that LeBron has repeatedly said he loves the team and the area. However, he's a Yankees fan. I really don't see any connection between wearing the hat and asking for a team to actually sign you however. Fact is, the Cavs really don't care, Cavs fans don't care and the Magic don't care. Should he have shook hands? Sure, but frankly this has gotten more press than anything short of Kobes rape trial.

Dwight Howard got his ass ripped in two when he made comments after game 5. Lebron deserves all of this, and quite frankly I'm surprised he's getting it.. I mean he had a chance to avoid all of this in his press conference the next day, he could of apologized and said he was wrong he was just upset and made a mistake and the media would still be bowing down to him. But he came out and said that it's cause he's a winner, not cause he's a bad sport... which is bull (what has he won?). I think his refusal to admit he made a mistake is why he is getting criticized so harshly. If Lebron apologizes in that interview the day after the game, most of the media would not be hating on him. Hopefully his meeting with David Stern goes well and he realizes it was a bad move.

[EasternMagic]

I'm pretty sure we already knew what your viewpoint was on this. But the fact is had it not been for the media I wouldn't have know any of this. I don't think I've ever noticed who is shaking hands with whom at the end of games. I just know it's tradition in sports to shake hands with your opponent. I don't however think it's a big thing that he didn't. What I thought was the problem was the explanation afterward. Of course, this is about the 4-5th time I've said the exact same thing in this thread. Sure other players have shaken hands with their opponents while they've also gotten into fights in games or off the court or had drug issues or repeated run ins with the police, cheated on their wives. And yet, LeBron is the one showing no class. I'd just as soon have him not show class in this and be a more decent person otherwise.

Seriously? At the end of the Lakers Nuggets series that was all the cameras showed for like 5 minutes the two teams shaking hands and hugging... especially the two super stars Carmelo and Kobe.

[Notorious23]

I'm pretty sure we already knew what your viewpoint was on this. But the fact is had it not been for the media I wouldn't have know any of this. I don't think I've ever noticed who is shaking hands with whom at the end of games. I just know it's tradition in sports to shake hands with your opponent. I don't however think it's a big thing that he didn't. What I thought was the problem was the explanation afterward. Of course, this is about the 4-5th time I've said the exact same thing in this thread. Sure other players have shaken hands with their opponents while they've also gotten into fights in games or off the court or had drug issues or repeated run ins with the police, cheated on their wives. And yet, LeBron is the one showing no class. I'd just as soon have him not show class in this and be a more decent person otherwise.

Seriously? At the end of the Lakers Nuggets series that was all the cameras showed for like 5 minutes the two teams shaking hands and hugging... especially the two super stars Carmelo and Kobe.

They may have shown it on TV, but since you are unable to read and then comprehend that was not what he said. He said he is not watching or paying attention to who is shaking hands. Thanks for letting him know they show it. Somehow I doubt your news is gonna make him make shaking hands the highlight of the night he can't wait to tune into.

I think we are all waiting to see how many last second threes Dwight will take when he is up big.

[Icness]

I think it sends a poor message to the kids who worship Lebron. I say that because I live in Pistons country now and everyone still laps up the Bad Boys, and it is reflected in the way people play here. Very physical, very mouthy, very poor sportsmanship. The people too young to remember those teams don't exhibit those characteristics. So what Lebron did is a big negative in my mind. It's horribly overblown, but that doesn't change that it's wrong.

Having said that, if someone pulls a Dwight Howard and launches a 3 with the game already won around here, he's going home in a wheelchair. I might even be the one to put him in it. That is just as classless. The only national media I heard talking about that is Dan Patrick, and he was poo-pooing it.

[Brenice]

Using a fight analogy like LeBron did, when a boxing, MMA, fight ends, whether it was a great fight, or a lopsided fight, both fighters usually show repect for the other. The loser does this whether he got his butt kicked or not. Even Mike Tyson did this after Lennox Lewis kicked his butt.

That does not mean that Orlando kicked Cleveland's butt like Pachio did Hatton, but it was a competetive fight like say...Floyd Mayweather against Hatton. A clear winner, but a competitive loser.

If you don't show respect to a worthy opponent, what are you showing? Disrespect. Also, I don't think LeBron was being disrespectful intentionally. I think he was disappointed but also embarassed because in his heart, he felt they were going to play in the finals, partially because the media pumped the cavs up, but......many a plan of mice and men, well, you know the rest.

LeBron is not an azz like Isaiah Thomas, and Orlando was not a rival like Isaiah's Pistons against MJ's Bulls.

LeBron knows better. He just made a mistake. Let's not forget he is still an oversized kid in an adult world.

[VCtoCV]

he got fined... so obviously he was wrong...
but that's just change for him... he won't worry too much about it.
lebron is king and he does as he wishes!

I really see the fine as just something for the media...

[MasterRyu]

Shooting a last second 3 is nothing compared to not congratulaing your opponents' victory, not talking to the media, and leaving your teammates in a time of frustration. Furthermore, it wasn't Hedo or SHard who shot the 3. It was freakin Dwight. It was meant as a joke; he wasn't going to make it. If it were somebody like Vujacic then it may be a valid argument (still isn't). It's the same thing like someone throwing the ball high in the air in the last second.

I personally don't care what type of antics Lebron pulls off at the end of games, at least not enough to make threads like this. But some of the excuses and counter arguments made to justify his action are just absurd.

[rjgraca]

^ Kind of like the past couple posts which absurdly over blow the incident.

Maybe some poster's arrogance on the side of Orlando will subside a little after the championship series with the Lakers. Classless acts (disrespect) of shooting 3 point shots at the buzzer with the lead securely in hand are not rewarded with a hand shake and only someone who is naive would do so.

Your misguided posts here on the CAVs board probably would have a much better audience on the Orlando board and your arrogance isn't as appreciated on the CAVs board. Stern didn't fine Lebron for not shaking hands...he fined him for not talking to the media afterward s. Maybe Lebron did it as a Joke just like the crutch some posters are using to justify Dwight Howards lack of respect. Maybe some more good old fashioned butt kicking by the Lakers will humble the arrogance a little.

[LBJ]

I'm going to make a prediction that Dwight Howard won't shake hands with the Lakers and Kobe after he loses this series, Especially if they lose in Orlando. and i agree with whoever said Dwight took a 3 at the end and Bron was just returning the favor. but to be honest, i don't think Bron would've shook hands regardless. I dont think that was a deal-breaker for him.

I'll admit as a big LeBron fan I was surprised he walked right off the court and didn't talk to press. Sure, it doesn't make him the best role models for all the kids and teenagers that idolize him, but seriously, since when were professional atheletes supposed to be role models?? Parents have to shoulder the majority of the responsibility for making sure their kids grow up with the right values.

[TheOUTLAW]

LeBron was not fined for not shaking hands. He was fined for missing the interviews with the media.

[tyguy]

So yesterday I decide to go meet up with my little bro who was at the local water park. I turn on shade45 which is eminem's station on sirius satellite radio. There Sunday discussion was the LeBron not shaking hands thing...

I never ever want to call into radio stations but I was quite tempted. The amount of ignorance dsplayed about the game of basketball, and the cavs orginization was un tolerable. For one thing this incident if over a week old and its still getting press?

Every single caller was just ripping into LeBron as well as the radio show hosts. Then of course they go to talk about how awesome Dwight Howard is and how great the magic is run.

Yeah no mention of the crying about reffing prior to the series even starting. Or Dwight Howard launching a three in the waning minutes of game 6 up by double digits.

It wasn't a big deal to begin with but how can this possibly be the topic of discussion a week removed from the incident with game 2 of the NBA finals about to begin? You mean they couldn't talk about how awesome Dwight Howard and the magic were in game 1?

[Gordon Bombay]

it is what it is ^^^^

lebrons a lightning rod for praise when things are going well and blame when things arent...either way talking about lebron is bound to drive up ratings