LeBron James blasts Charles Barkley
- Thread starter PejaFanatic
- Start date
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
I find myself in sympathy wiht Charles Barkley. 
*gulp*
*gulp*
A
AriesMar27
Guest
yeah... barkley has a point.... but its the media thats blowing this out of proportion... they are the ones asking lebron questions about his future free agency options... he isnt walking around saying that he cant wait to play for the knicks.
according to the media; everytime a team makes a trade its for lebron. the hthe next time he plays they ask him about it. what is supposed to say?
according to the media; everytime a team makes a trade its for lebron. the hthe next time he plays they ask him about it. what is supposed to say?
kingsnation
All-Star
“I think July 1, 2010, is a very big day,” James said when the Cavaliers were in New York. “It’s probably going to be one of the biggest days in free-agent history in the NBA..."
Wow.
I agree with Chuck.
Wow.
I agree with Chuck.
hoopsfan
Starter
He can say "no comment".
6th
Homer Fan Since 1985
I am beyond fed up with the toadying to egos that goes on between the media and some of our sports "heroes." Lebron James is an idiot twice over: First, for making the comments in the first place; Second, for putting himself in a position to be the topic of a lot of sports news shows, making his drama more important than the team. That ALWAYS sucks.
Suck it up, SHUT UP and play, Lebron. And show some freaking respect to the fans that come out every night and support you, both on the court and by buying your jersey.
Suck it up, SHUT UP and play, Lebron. And show some freaking respect to the fans that come out every night and support you, both on the court and by buying your jersey.
Gargamel
Starter
Bron is an asshat like many of his peers, but I'm not sure Barkley is the best to rail against him. Barkley made nightly whines during his latter days with Philly, talking about how he wished to play for a contender and how he asked for Shaq and he got Charles Shackleford, etc. Maybe their situations aren't comparable, but Charles wasn't the epitome of sucking it up himself (save for beer).
(PS: coming from a big fan of Barkley the player, never a fan of Bron's)
(PS: coming from a big fan of Barkley the player, never a fan of Bron's)
Dime Dropper
All-Star
While LeBron didn't make the smartest comments in the past, it would be worse to say he want's to re-sign with the Cavs in two years and then go off and sign with another team. I am not defending him, but there is only so much you can do when you are constantly being hounded by the media for an answer. He only said what everybody already knows; there is a good chance that if the Cavs are not serious contenders in '10 then he will consider signing with another team.
Disrespectful? In the eye of the beholder, I guess.
Disrespectful? In the eye of the beholder, I guess.
Gargamel
Starter
He's been like that since we've met him, it's just now starting to hit a crescendo. Bron was probably being praised and coddled from all angles before he hit puberty. That's gotta rot certain parts of your personality.
Talking about potentially signing with NYK who have been the worst managed team in the league over the last decade while on a team that has built themselves around him and was a game away from beating the NBA champions in a 7 game series is disgusting.
In today's YouTube, 24/7 news world, people seem to think that just because a microphone is shoved into their face, they are required to say something. They aren't.
James could easily say, "No comment" or something to the effect that he's a Cavalier now and that's what he's focused on. If he said that a few times, the "media" would get the hint.
James WANTS this attention. He wants to drive his price up as far as possible because for him, it's all about him and not team.
That's fine, I suppose, but he and a lot of younger players seem to forget that without the loyalty of the home fans, they wouldn't make those humongous salaries and have lives of luxury most of us cannot even begin to imagine.
Is he disrespectful? Oh, hell yes. Is he the only one? Unfortunately, no. But that doesn't make it right.
DocHolliday
Starter
“I think July 1, 2010, is a very big day,” James said when the Cavaliers were in New York. “It’s probably going to be one of the biggest days in free-agent history in the NBA..."
Wow.
I agree with Chuck.
He didn't mean it was going to be possibly the biggest free agency days in NBA history, just because of him. He meant because of how many big names will all be free agents at the same time.
DocHolliday
Starter
Jordan relied on his athleticism until he developed a reliable jumpshot.
DocHolliday
Starter
The CBA allows him to only make so much, for so many. He's already a max deal player. He can't drive it any higher. It can only go down due to any number of reasons.
DocHolliday
Starter
Can anyone find footage of Lebron ever saying he's considering signing with the Knicks? I haven't heard it. The MEDIA is the one that continually talks about him going to the Knicks, because it's the largest media market in the NBA.
All Lebron has done is talk about free agency in 2010. He's left the door open that he may not re-sign with the Cavs, and I'm sure the Cavs are well aware that it's a possibility if they don't show that they are committed to doing whatever it takes to get whatever pieces necessary to build a championship team.
Words have been put in his mouth to the tune of people saying that Lebron saying that he is going to sign with New York. He simply hasn't said that. Of course if someone can show me recorded evidence of this, or a link to an article I take that part back, but I haven't heard it.
Oh, and Lebron James doesn't need to be in a big media market to get his endorsements. There's a think called the internet, and the media that follow him everywhere. He makes whatever market he is a big enough media market. He's global, he doesn't need New York.
All Lebron has done is talk about free agency in 2010. He's left the door open that he may not re-sign with the Cavs, and I'm sure the Cavs are well aware that it's a possibility if they don't show that they are committed to doing whatever it takes to get whatever pieces necessary to build a championship team.
Words have been put in his mouth to the tune of people saying that Lebron saying that he is going to sign with New York. He simply hasn't said that. Of course if someone can show me recorded evidence of this, or a link to an article I take that part back, but I haven't heard it.
Oh, and Lebron James doesn't need to be in a big media market to get his endorsements. There's a think called the internet, and the media that follow him everywhere. He makes whatever market he is a big enough media market. He's global, he doesn't need New York.
“I think July 1, 2010, is a very big day,” James said when the Cavaliers were in New York. “It’s probably going to be one of the biggest days in free-agent history in the NBA..."
Wow.
I agree with Chuck.
Seriously Kanye.
How about you win a ring first, then talk like that.
The CBA doesn't apply to Europe. I think Lebron is trying to cover all the possible angles...
He actually said that Knicks fans should remain hopeful he'll come but he can't comment on it or some bs like that IIRC. But the thing is, his Nike contract has a clause where it states that if he plays in a big market like NY, LA, Chicago, and 2 others that I forgot, his salary with his shoe deal goes up from 20 million$ to 100 million$. So he definitely makes more by going to NY.
Cite?
uolj
Starter
A recent ESPN article indicated that was no longer true (after his rookie season):
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=broussard_chris&page=LeBron-081125
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=broussard_chris&page=LeBron-081125
uolj
Starter
I don't see what James has done wrong here. I haven't seen or heard a single quote that would warrant criticism.
While I agree there are times when it's best to not say anything because you know that others will take it out of context or blow it out of proportion, I don't think that means you should never talk about anything.
In the quote given above, James speaking honestly about the big free-agent class of 2010. Is he saying something that's wrong? Is he only talking about himself? No.
Maybe there are other quotes out there, but from what I've seen in this thread it's the critics that should be criticized.
While I agree there are times when it's best to not say anything because you know that others will take it out of context or blow it out of proportion, I don't think that means you should never talk about anything.
In the quote given above, James speaking honestly about the big free-agent class of 2010. Is he saying something that's wrong? Is he only talking about himself? No.
Maybe there are other quotes out there, but from what I've seen in this thread it's the critics that should be criticized.
DocHolliday
Starter
I doubt he's going to Europe. The reality of those teams having unlimited funds isn't all that relistic. There's 2 or 3 teams with money that could maybe afford it. There was a documentary on TV where they were talking to these teams, and they could afford Lebron for a year or two, but not that much money for a long period of time.
Lebron can go global without leaving the US. He already has. The only thing that could make him blow up even bigger is getting the hardware.
Elise10
Starter
Not true on the whole Lebron Nike deal:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/27925375?__source=RSS*blog*&par=RSS
http://www.cnbc.com/id/27925375?__source=RSS*blog*&par=RSS
LoungeLizard
Starter
Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are playing some of the best basketball that the city of Cleveland has seen. They are 15-3 and WILL contend for the Eastern Conference championship, hell he took the C's to 7 games last year all by himself. Now if his comments are a "distraction" to his team and the city I would love to have the same "distraction" in Sacramento.
kennadog
Dog On It!
Gee, why would Cavs fans feel dissed? I wonder if King [for king-sized jerk, IMHO] James has ever come out with a shoe to honor Cleveland? Anyone know?
http://dimemag.com/2008/11/lebron-james-exclusive-sneaker-new-york-city-nike/
He can play anywhere he wants to play in a couple of years. In the meantime, shut up and play. Show some gratitude to the people of Cleveland who spend their hard-earned dollars to watch you play. Show some respect to the basketball fans of Ohio who have idolized you and are proud of calling you one of their own.
When people speculate about where you might end up, just say you are proud to play for the Cavs fans and that's all that matters right now. See isn't that easy?
http://dimemag.com/2008/11/lebron-james-exclusive-sneaker-new-york-city-nike/
When King James comes to the “Big Apple,” he rarely disappoints. No one since Michael Jordan has drawn this much attention in terms of playing at Madison Square Garden. It seems LeBron has a special connection with New York, why? We don’t know. What we do know is that New Yorkers always get a treat from the Chosen One.
Big Apple ‘Bron
Last year’s buzz around LeBron’s NY arrival was nuts. The release of his Nike Zoom LeBron V: New York Yankee Edition and a 50 point, 10 assist, 8 rebound bludgeoning of the Knicks had the city going bonkers. This year Lebron promises not to disappoint with the release of his “Big Apple” Zoom LeBron VI.
He can play anywhere he wants to play in a couple of years. In the meantime, shut up and play. Show some gratitude to the people of Cleveland who spend their hard-earned dollars to watch you play. Show some respect to the basketball fans of Ohio who have idolized you and are proud of calling you one of their own.
When people speculate about where you might end up, just say you are proud to play for the Cavs fans and that's all that matters right now. See isn't that easy?
tradepeja
Starter
This is just a bunch of crying over nothing. Lebron was asked questions by reporters and he answered truthfully. If the truth hurt some people, so be it.
Why do we hold the fans of Cleveland to such low standards? I know if I was a Cavs fan I'd already be perfectly aware of the huge chance that Lebron won't be around after 2010 and I would have already come to terms with it. Its not like Lebron was telling any decent fan something he or she did not already know.
Why do we hold the fans of Cleveland to such low standards? I know if I was a Cavs fan I'd already be perfectly aware of the huge chance that Lebron won't be around after 2010 and I would have already come to terms with it. Its not like Lebron was telling any decent fan something he or she did not already know.