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Mike Freeman

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LeBron James: poor sport

Posted on: May 31, 2009 12:11 am
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ORLANDO -- LeBron James, who has crafted an image as a good guy, wasn't such a stand up person -- or a good guy -- after Cleveland was beaten by Orlando.

James blew off the media, bolted out of the locker room, and headed directly for the team bus without speaking to the media.

After the game, I didn't see him congratulate many Magic players. I may have missed it but other reporters said they saw the same thing which was witness James behave like a spoiled baby.

It's understandable he's frustrated. But this isn't how leaders should act. James' teammates faced the media. Why shouldn't James? Is he too good to do so?

It was extremely immature and jerkish behavior.

That's how'd you expect some low level punk to behave, James.
 
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Category: NBA
Tags: Cleveland
 
Comments Add a Comment
bo0mtownn
Since: Dec 17, 2008
Posted on: May 31, 2009 9:46 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

Jeez Freeman take it down a notch. I haven't read much of your stuff but I feel like I am picking up a pattern; do you believe your stories aren't interesting enough without adding ridiculous hyperboles? Yes, it is obviously a slight show of poor sportsmanship by LeBron James but calling him "extremely immature and jerkish" from this one moment in his career is just silly.

"Spoiled baby"?

"Low level punk"?

If you honestly believe that LeBron James is any of these things than I have to question how anybody could pay you to give your opinion.


altctrldel
Since: Oct 21, 2006
Posted on: May 31, 2009 9:34 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

Hey Cavsfanforyears....

HAHA!!!!

CAVS SUCK, YOU WHINEY LITTLE B*TCH!!!!




jscotthubble
Since: Jun 29, 2008
Posted on: May 31, 2009 9:17 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

this 11 sentence biased rant counts as an article?

i guess it did get its intended result: shock the average joe so much that he has to read the other comments, comment himself and end up spending an additional 15 minutes on cbssports.com

In sum, bad article, good job.




CavsFanForYears
Since: May 31, 2009
Posted on: May 31, 2009 8:58 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

Speaking of poor sportsmanship, why is there no mention of the extremely poor sportsmanship the Orlando fans showed by chanting "nah nah nah nah" and then later chanting "MVP"??  Was that necessary?  Was that good sportsmanship?   The Magic organization should be ashamed of the way their fans acted tonight.   I wonder how many Magic players were embarrassed by their fans behavior.  When the clock hits 0 and your team wins the last thing on your mind should be the team that lost, you should be saying "Yeah we won" NOT "Ha ha, you lost".  

So Lebron didnt talk to the media this ONE time.  BIG DEAL.  The media will absolutely have plenty of chances to make Lebron answer in the near future for the way he handled a very difficult loss.  Maybe his mother taught him that if he didn't have anything nice to say not to say anything at all.  And maybe he avoided a MUCH bigger controversy by not speaking to the media.   You can bet that by now Lebron has communicated his feelings to his team and explained his actions, and I am sure they think no less of him for this.  Who here has never reacted in anger and been sorry about it later?  He reacted the way I would want my son to react in that situation.  At least he doesn't have to apologize for anything that he did say!   Do we need to make a list of NBA players who would have handled that situation with F-bombs and hand gestures?  He showed restraint, especially for a 24-year-old who was on a very important mission and had just failed.

You are right about one thing, Lebron has has crafted an image as a good guy and he is a good guy even though he didn't talk to the media and shake every Magic players hand.   No visiting player wants to stand around in the middle of the winning team's celebration, and for all anyone knows he personally drove around Orlando after the game last night delivering "Sorry I didn't congratulate you immediately after the game" baskets to all the Magic players, and even if he didn't I'd bet no Magic players lost sleep last night because Lebron didn't shake their hand.  These guys are all friends and I doubt anyone took it personally.  Its not like the Magic players were standing around waiting for handshakes from the opponent that no longer exists, they were celebrating their victory and their fans should have been celebrating too. 

To say that he showed low level punk behavior is ridiculous, he in no way acted like a punk, a punk would have at the least shot his mouth of after being taunted and mocked by 20,000 people about an award that he did not give to himself, and a spoiled baby cries when he doesn't get what he wants, Lebron simply walked away after a very big disappointment, and nothing more.

Are you a paid journalist?

The mission will begin again next year and it's gonna be a great ride!  GO CAVS! 



Ghopper77
Since: Apr 8, 2008
Posted on: May 31, 2009 8:49 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

Lebron James is classless and full of himself; he hides behind the fact that he has an all court game which people look at being the ultimate team player but this is far from the truth.  Even the Celtics and Pistons in the 80's wished each other well after their much more physical playoff battles; and these guys hated each other.



F00T0108
Since: Mar 21, 2008
Posted on: May 31, 2009 8:47 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

One of the the amazing parts of any of these series, esp in hockey and NBA, is watching the players shake hands and be good sports after what are often knock down drag out fights of series.

LeBron needed to at least shake hands with the Magic.   I do understand how he must have felt, no longer the King, unable to will his guys over the top yet another time.  BUT he isn't in High School anymore.  Pretty immature for a 7 year vet.  

He is still a good role model and I think we just saw alot of pressure on him.... get the best of him....


rrod
Since: Jun 1, 2008
Posted on: May 31, 2009 8:43 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

As far as LeBron talking to the press, I could care less. But as the so called leader of the Cavs it is his job. Him walking off the court without congratulating the Magic after a hard fault series showed poor sportsmanship. I don't think LeBron is a jerk or a punk, but he definitely needs to learn to be a better leader in all circumstances, not just when he wins. 



RugDaniels
Since: Apr 29, 2007
Posted on: May 31, 2009 8:21 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

Exactly!  Howard took about 20 FT's in 25-30 minues of playing time in game 3 and was still complaining!  VanGundy's just as bad.  I'd take LeBron's attitude and behavior over those two clowns any day.


jcamp
Since: Dec 13, 2006
Posted on: May 31, 2009 8:10 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

Seriously try that in NY Lebyner and they will run you out of town.  I think it is best you play your whole career in a small market.  Stay in Cleveland.


ApemanAl
Since: Sep 3, 2007
Posted on: May 31, 2009 8:06 am
 

LeBron James: poor sport

LeBron was definitely disappointed at the loss in the series.  I believe he made the right choice in not speaking to the media.  Why should he get fined for criticizing the poor officiating in the series that definitely seemed to favor Orlando in Game 6.  I quit watching the game when I realized that every time the Cavs came within 10 points there was going to be a flurry of fouls called to spread the lead.  If you notice, Mike Brown sat down most of the second half because he realized the officials would not let the Cavs back into that game.  His lack of congratulating the Magic had more to do with being upset about the number of times he and others on his team were fouled without getting a call.  Congratulations to the Magic for winning a hard fought series.  Next year try doing it with better officiating.  The NBA must have wanted the bigger TV markets in the Finals.  GO Lakers!!!


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