As some of you may or may not know, the web and other blogs have been in a whirlwind about LeBron James’ recent on court facial at the most recent Nike Basketball/LeBron James Skills Academy.
On Monday, Jordan Crawford, a sophomore at Xavier (by way of Indiana), reportedly dunked on LeBron during a pick-up game at the academy. “It happened, and it was bad,” said Michael Gilchrist, the top player in the Class of 2011. “That was something to see.”
With the King looking mortal and facing a slightly embarrassing moment, he took matters into his own hands as any King would in a compromising situation. He ordered his subjects (Nike officials) to get rid of any evidence that this incident ever happened. Nike officials ended up confiscating the two videos that were taken of the dunk. Ryan Miller, a freelance photographer who was working at the camp that day, told CBSSports.com:
“LeBron called [Nike Basketball Senior Director Lynn Merritt] over and told him something,” Miller said. “That’s how I knew his name was Lynn. LeBron said, ‘Hey, Lynn. Come here.’”
A few minutes later, Miller’s tape was confiscated.
LeBron James definitely has the characteristics of a King. He has a dominating presence with a command of the court and his supporting cast. But a very interesting characteristic is slowly emerging from LeBron and that is his lack of sportsmanship and seems to fail to embrace genuine defeat whether it be big or small. Are we a witness to a sore loser?
With the Orlando Magic putting a wrench in the plans of LeBron’s destiny to meet Kobe & The Lakers, the King took the defeat so bad he walked off the court and was the first person on the team bus without even talking to the Nike officials that were in attendance, the press and most importantly failing to extend a hand of cordial sportsmanship to his USA basketball teammate/friend Dwight Howard for ending his championship dream.
I’m sure LeBron hates losing as much as the next guy but his handling of defeat is slowly killing his own aurora of greatness in my eyes. Even Jordan had his days of looking human. The first person to make him look average was a flashy rookie point guard from Hampton, VA named Allen Iverson and the second person was a black CEO at one of his own Academy with Damon Wayans poking fun at the moment of graceful defeat. All those mortal Jordan moments are captured on YouTube and free for anyone to witness. The clips are embarrassing and funny but they are mere ‘MOMENTS’. They do not devalue Jordan’s aurora of greatness. LeBron & Nike’s act of censorship no longer makes this a simple embarrassing moment but now puts this “Dunk” on the track of legendary.
Now the real question is are we witnessing LeBron’s weakness as a player? Are his recent actions with regards to Jordan Crawford’s dunk a sign of a prideful attitude? Have these ‘moments’ of unsportsmanlike activities change your perception of King James? The SHC family would love to hear your personal thoughts about what WE ARE A WITNESS to…
Talk to the Man or Woman in the Mirror,
-BBW
Source: Rivals.com – Yahoo Sports
I just wanna say that sportsmanship is overrated and its easy for someone outside of the game. As an ex college and NFL player, I can understand how u wouldnt wanna shake someone's hand. Ppl think that it is out of disrespect, but in reality, it stems from the fact that ur upset u lost. No one else is forced to shake hands when they dont do well on a project at work. I think ppl have to put themselves in the shoes of someone who dedicates 24hrs a day to their craft, many of the ppl that are judgin him, arent able to do that