OT: Lebron

[Gerhalt11]

Okay, I realize that Lebron is one of the top three players in the NBA and represents the future of the league and all that, but am I the only one who just gets rubbed the wrong way by him?

There were the reports out of the World games last year that he was blaming Dwight for a missed alley-oop even though 'bron's pass was clearly too high. Plus there's the fact that he publically flouts his Yankees memorbilia during the series with the Indians, not to mention that freaking shoe he released ONLY in New York that has the Yankees logo on it.

Then there's this quote from ESPN in an article about the Shaq trade:

"As long as I'm healthy, we're going to give ourselves a chance to win," he said. "No matter who is out on the court with me."

"As long as I'm healthy. Not "we." I'm okay with a little ego, but come on. That's over the top. That's something you'd expect to hear out of Rasheed Wallace or Ron Artest, who are two of the most hated players in the NBA.

I suppose the question then becomes whether or not LBJ's formidable talent gives him the leeway to say and do these things that other players would get crucified for.

Thoughts?

[Typhoon20]

I think the league is desperate to create their own Michael Jordan so they try to hype up all the big stars, like they did Kobe, didn't work. Now it's Lebron, I think he hasn't witnessed the reality yet, once he does, he'll understand that concept better and become a bit more mature.

[MagiChamps]

His commercials suck too... I dunno he seemed like a pretty good teammate when Varejao took half a season to work out his contract. This is the first time I've heard an I comment out of him.

[dmac812]

i will not be surprised to see lebron go to the knicks when his contract runs out with the cavs. nike will probably give him a huge bonus if he's playing in the world's biggest market. at that point in his life, there is no doubt that he will chase money over going to a contending team. as for his ego and cockiness, i can't really blame him. it is that kind of swagger that probably helped him get to where he is today. in order to be the best you have to have that mindset where you know you are better than everyone. and let's face it, outside of lebron the cavs aren't really that talented anyway.

[Max Power]

Wow, some people actually agree with me on Lebron James? Hell must have a nice cool breeze this morning. Gerhalt, I agree a lot with what you say here. I don't like the aura he carries with him. Jordan was graceful, well spoken, and had the utmost respect for his teammates. I just don't see any of that with Bron Bron (most (Please Use More Appropriate Word) nickame....EVER!!).

What Typhoon said is spot on. The NBA is desperate to have it's MJ factor back, and James is the guy they've chosen to carry that flag. I just happen to think it's the wrong guy.

I have to agree w/ Playj too. Lebron's commercials are attrocious. The guy isn't funny, the ones where he plays 6 different people makes me want to throw my remote at the tv. But those are only partially his fault. The guys who wrote those commercials probably need to be bagging groceries at publix.

In the end I think that Lebron's going to be a Hall of Famer, same as Kobe Bryant, but when the smoke clears Michael Jordan will still, and forever be, the measuring stick of the league.

Personally I think the NBA should market Dwayne Wade and Dwight Howard more than Lebron. Dwights time is nearly here.

[MagicalMan]

Well when you've been anointed "King" its bound to go to your head.

[magicman123]

the more he is in the league, the bigger his head gets, i watched several games this year and if someone shoots the ball in a situation that lebron wants it, he will yell at his teamates or just walk away and give that stare, like im lebron b*tch...but hey thats him..

[The Letter J]

"As long as I'm healthy. Not "we." I'm okay with a little ego, but come on. That's over the top. That's something you'd expect to hear out of Rasheed Wallace or Ron Artest, who are two of the most hated players in the NBA.

I was a little shocked at first as well, but that's LeBron for ya. I would never say anything like that and I doubt any of our players would either. LeBron has always been like that though.

The guy is more of a realist that isn't afraid to say what everyone else already knows. He is the only reason the Cavs are a winning team and their record without him proves it. The unique thing about LeBron's statement is that he has always stood up for his teammates in the past when called upon. LeBron's teammates know he is a team player and they also know he is the best on the team.

All of that said though, the guy has a tattoo on his back that says "Chosen One". It takes a real douche to do something like that whether he is really good or not. He doesn't seem to have a filter sometimes. There's nothing wrong with saying, "I've become a great player.", but do you need a tattoo? Do you need to let everyone know that your team sucks without you?

[Max Power]

It's a shame a guy like that is worth 200 million dollars, because if that f**ker was 5'10 he'd be just like every other working sapp in America.

[NEM]

if im a cavs fan, i dont care as long as we win...but im not so i dont care

[laVal03]

to be honest I love Lebron James as he is great to watch, there is almost no holes in his game, last year it was FT's but he has improved this year and I think he will continue to improve

is he cocky? probably but he is also the BEST player in basketball, yea you can argue for Kobe or whoever but he hasn't even hit his prime yet, when he does Kobe won't be in the league

and no I don't like cocky people and it doesn't neccesarily give him the right but I don't find him cocky on a T.O. or Randy Moss level so it doesn't bother me


you guys would be creaming in your pants if he signed with Orlando

[mattyBoi]

Lebron is the best player in the league...He has a right to be cocky.

And what he says is basically true. He does everything for that team and without him they are just horrible.

The guy just scores at will and he knows that when hes on the court, he has a chance to win.

Also i bet alot of other guys in the L would say the same thing.

[mhectorgato]

to be honest I love Lebron James as he is great to watch, there is almost no holes in his game, last year it was FT's but he has improved this year and I think he will continue to improve

is he cocky? probably but he is also the BEST player in basketball, yea you can argue for Kobe or whoever but he hasn't even hit his prime yet, when he does Kobe won't be in the league

and no I don't like cocky people and it doesn't neccesarily give him the right but I don't find him cocky on a T.O. or Randy Moss level so it doesn't bother me


you guys would be creaming in your pants if he signed with Orlando

My rebuttal consists of 1,000 words:

[Max Power]

[quote="laVal03"]
you guys would be creaming in your pants if he signed with Orlando


You can scratch one name off that list LaVal, there are guys I dislike enough to disown the Magic if they got them, Lebron James is one of them.

[laVal03]

you guys would be creaming in your pants if he signed with Orlando


You can scratch one name off that list LaVal, there are guys I dislike enough to disown the Magic if they got them, Lebron James is one of them.

Come on Max, you would really "disown" the magic if we were to get perhaps the "best player in basketball"???!!??

I think if you saw what he would do for this team you would change your mind

he is very unselfish player sometimes to a fault where he gets chastised about passing up a shot to kick it to a wide open player

I might as well give up, there isn't even a chance in hell he ends up here

[Max Power]

LaVal, yeah I would. I happen to beleive Dwight Howard is going to be thought of just as highly as James in a year or 2, and big men bring home the rings. And we both know there's no way in hell we'd ever have a team with both. I just dislike the "king" that much.

[KingRobb02]

You guys are ridiculous. He is the best player in the league and only 23. He has a right to say that the Cavs will be OK as long as he is healthy for 2 reasons. First, as a player, why would he speak with confidence about his teams chances without him? That just undervalues himself, which would be crazy. Second, his team hasn't won a game this year with him on the sideline, but with him they have the best record in the east in 2008. Do you expect him to just shut up and let Damon Jones do the talking, or would you rather eh just not show up at all? Just be happy we get to see one of the best players ever develop.

[Max Power]

I would expect the "poster child" for the NBA to act like more of an adult yes. He's acting like a arrogant prick, and that's not being a professional.

[Gerhalt11]

You guys are ridiculous. He is the best player in the league and only 23. He has a right to say that the Cavs will be OK as long as he is healthy for 2 reasons. First, as a player, why would he speak with confidence about his teams chances without him? That just undervalues himself, which would be crazy. Second, his team hasn't won a game this year with him on the sideline, but with him they have the best record in the east in 2008. Do you expect him to just shut up and let Damon Jones do the talking, or would you rather eh just not show up at all? Just be happy we get to see one of the best players ever develop.

Undervalues himself? He makes the most money allowable by the National Basketball Association and makes tens of millions of dollars on product endorsements. Oh yeeaahhh. Saying his team would be nothing without him really ups his value.

I don't know, I guess I'm spoiled by Dwight, who is just as valuable a player as Lebron is, but Dwight does it with class and respect. It sucks that he's an aberation in that respect, but I couldn't be prouder that that aberation wears a Magic jersey.

[Gerhalt11]

He is the best player in the league

Plus, if that's true (which it's most definitely not), maybe the best player in the league should maybe, I don't know, NOT act like a jackass. And don't give me this age crap. Dwight's 21 and he's twice the man Lebron is.