Mike Freeman

LeBron James is a POOR SPORT!  It has nothing to do with post game interviews.  Although every post about this seems to feel that that is the case.  It is the fact he did NOT shake the hands of the opposing team.  That is sportsmanship!! You don't do it...you are a poor sport.  I used to have respect for this guy based on his talent.  However, now I know that he is nothing more than a low class punk.  It doesn't matter how much $$ you have, you cannot buy sportsmanship or class.  He has neither!!

Nobody is getting the point....we've gone out of our way to overpay athletes in all  professional sports aside from a few like maybe ice hockey. Then we place them on athrone as if any utterance, regardless of how stupid or ignorant it makes the palyer appear, is dissected and debated endlessly. Then we get a bunch of sports junkies attacking or defending the subject matter at hand.

Hey...wake-up...everyone that's ever played sports knows it hurts to lose. But what do we tell our kids...be a man, take it like a man etc., even if we're speaking with our daughters. SPorts helps build character and values in our youth. WE teach them to put out their best efforts and if that's not enough, we tell 'em that we're proud of how hard they tried and that's all anyone can do.

Lebron, if you thinbk you deserve to be compoared with the greats...Oscar, Jerry, Walt, Wilt, Bill, kareem, Elgin, Larry, Michael, Magic, Larry....do I need to keep reciting the list of NBA stars...none of these guys acted the way he did....do you think KObie is any less of a competitor than LeBron...but he made the walk to congratulate Boston last year, Magic made tha walk, Jordan made the walk...all of the NBA gretas make the walk even though they really don't want to.

It shows respect for the game, your opponents (who you may intensely dislike), and your teammates. It says I'm a man, I did my best and today, it just wasn't good enough to get the job done. OKay...now tell me how teh Americans turned down the silver in the Olympics...not the same thing....LeBron wasn't cheated, he was just beaten and it will happen again and again to...but along the way, he'll get his share of trophies too.

My point is what does his beahvior say to the kids that adore him...want to grow up and be like him. The first time my kid acts that way, he's in trouble and will feel the consequences too. LeBron, if you've got a gripe, take it up with your teammates or owners but don't discredit sportsmanship in general. I want my kid to look his opponent in the eye and tell 'em you were lucky this time and wait until our next meeting. I want my kid to be able to deal with adversity and not pout or misbehave.

It isn't about teaching him how to be a good loser...it's about teaching him to be a good man. LeBron, you're no less of a competitor than those aforementioend names and none of them would have acted like you did. It's done...now cowboy up and be a man but don't lay a line on us that you're such a fierce competitor that you can't stand to lose. Yu had a lot of practice at it when you first arrived in the NBA. Now go get some practice at learning how to set a great example for others, especiually kids. Your time will come and meanwhile, don't let your ego or money influence you into acting like some punk. You may become the best that ever played in the NBA but right now, you're a far cry away from achieving that based upon the number of championships you have, the admiration and respect of other coaches and players  after your behavior and your superior attitude that LeBron is bigger than the game itself. Hardly....but and p.s. lose the theatrics before game time. Act like the  consumate professional and you'll command cheers and tears from everyone instead of jeers.

Why does LeBron get a way with everything... the acting when he falls over on the court! The poor sportsmenship. Come on people! He is not a GOD! Of course Dwight shows emotion when he misses or gets a foul, but HE never treats people that way after the game. He is young but he knows how to act! LeBron needs to get a life and grow up! Go sit in your mansion and cry! Those acting lessons paid off well! THE OSCAR GOES TO LEBRON!!! The DRAmA KING!