LeBron James is hogging the spotlight during NBA finals
The NBA finals are going on but LeBron James has put himself center stage. (CNN photo)
This issue has been floating around the media for the last couple of weeks, but it didn’t really start bothering me until the other day, when people started seeking insight from Larry King (seriously?). So let me just put it out there: Does it bother you that LeBron James is hijacking the NBA finals?
This is the kind of thing league executives don’t like. I’ve seen situations where teams were asked to hold off announcing the hiring of a coach until a certain time or day so that it wouldn’t upstage a significant league event, like a championship game. (The NFL generally has every other team in handcuffs during Super Bowl week.)
Loading ...Now, I understand that James can’t stop people from talking about his impending free agency. He is news. But what he can do is not hold nationally televised interviews like the one he taped with King, knowing excerpts were going to be systematically leaked for days leading up to Game 1 of the NBA finals before the actual interview aired (tonight).
And try to follow this: ABC, an NBA rights holder, was so angry that James did an interview with CNN that the network announced throughout the day Thursday that it was going to re-air its month-old “Nightline” interview with James following Game 1 that night. So, in effect, ABC tried to upstage CNN, which upstaged the finals, which is on ABC. Got that?
Again, James can’t control people talking and writing about him. But it’s clear now more than ever that this free agency period, for how ever long it lasts, is a carefully orchestrated Nike production. You doubt that? Here’s something else that just “leaked” out — not that anything really gets leaked unless James wants it to. This comes from AOL Fanhouse’s Sam Amick:
LOS ANGELES — In honor of LeBron James and his apparent insistence on being talked about during the NBA Finals, we interrupt coverage to share some free agency news about the league’s King of hype.
According to a source with first-hand knowledge of James’ plans, the Larry King interview that was shot Tuesday and will air Friday on CNN was only the beginning of his elaborate scheme to draw unprecedented attention to his courting. James, according to the source, is in discussions with Nike to create a new shoe for every visit along his free agent path starting July 1. The shoes would have the date of the visit printed, with James already having scripted his itinerary for the Free Agency Tour 2010.
When asked about the timing of the King interview, NBA commissioner David Stern said, “I don’t have a problem with it. It’s fine. The same way it’s fine to have [President Obama] talk to Marv Albert about where LeBron is going or about our game.”
Stern is being disingenuous. He knows there’s a difference. One is the President talking and the other is James talking. Bottom line is that Stern is not going to publicly call out James, who is probably his biggest revenue producer.
This would be a good time to tell you that Atlanta is not on James’ Nike/free agent itinerary (not that he ever was expected to be). According to Amick, James will visit the New York Knicks first, then New Jersey, then New York. Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers could follow.
See? There I go. Talking about LeBron and not Lakers-Celtics.
Maybe he can just hold interviews with prospective owners and general managers at halftime of finals games at mid-court. Then everybody would be happy.
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129 comments Add your comment
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
12:33 pm
LMAO @ Tdawg
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
12:38 pm
“2) I simply don’t enjoy watching Kobe and am not watching the games because of him. Yes, Kobe is an incredible, awesome, jaw-dropping player…but I simply don’t like the guy, really don’t like the guy. Bryant on the court is a detriment to my enjoyment, no matter how he plays, one way or the other. Can’t explain it however that’s how it is. ”
Ted, that is what my son would call “haterade”.
b23
June 4th, 2010
12:38 pm
Its funny how everyone blames lebron for not winning a ring when he clearly has never had a team that can be productive in the playoffs…lebron puts up crazy stat lines far better than kobes in the playoffs…if lebron n kobe switched teams u would all be hating on kobe and lebron would be in the finals…fisher, pau, odom even ron-ron have come through in the playoffs…but where were mo n jamison for bron?…and its not like he doesn’t trust them because he averages more assists than any forward…if u hate on lebron u clearly aren’t very knowledgeable about the game….
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
12:40 pm
Most of the people I know who hate Kobe either hate him because they perceive him as arrogant or are upset with him being compared to the REAL 23. Amusing, since Jordan was, and still is, one of the most arrogant pricks the league has ever seen.
Do a youtube search for “Jordan snubs fan” and see for yourself.
NC Braves Fan
June 4th, 2010
12:47 pm
I don’t like Kobe, but I respect him.
Maybe if Bron Bron actually wins something I’ll respect him, too.
Funny how some folks can excuse away a team that won 66 & 61 games as not having good enough players around LBJ to win the chapmionship.
Maybe that’s true, but it sure doesn’t look like LBJ has learned how to take over a game or series when the chips are down either.
b23
June 4th, 2010
12:47 pm
Of course kobes an arrogant prick like jordan…he had to steal every aspect of his game to come as far as he has…
Rufus
June 4th, 2010
12:51 pm
I hear arrogant from all u Kobe hatter, but I don’t buy that so let’s stop the bs because the real reason is that Kobe is about to replace the GREAT MJ in most of you guy minds. So let’s enjoy greatness in the present. MJ had his time. Also, I have to always remind myself that I am on the East coast, just like that SEC bs.
max
June 4th, 2010
12:57 pm
I think that LeBron will either stay at Clevelend or go play for the Bulls if him and Dwane Wade got together and played for the Cel;tics they would both get their first ring and many more. I am a Jazz fan and i bet that If LeBron went to Utah and Utah trades Carlos Boozer and the first round pick to the cavs then the Jazz and LeBron would get their first ring.
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
1:00 pm
“Its funny how everyone blames lebron for not winning a ring when he clearly has never had a team that can be productive in the playoffs”
How do they hold the best record in the league for two straight years then get to the playoffs and CHOKE both years? Was his “help” no good when they were winning all those games during the regular season?? Enough with the excuses, this guy is simply NOT THAT GOOD.
max
June 4th, 2010
1:00 pm
LeBron > Kobe I hate Kobe he is really good but I hate the Lakers ever since I was born
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
1:01 pm
Rufus: H-A-T-E-R
Thanks and good day.
max
June 4th, 2010
1:02 pm
Hey Lake show LeBron hasn’t won a ring cause he hasn’t gotten on a good enough team yet
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
1:03 pm
max, my condolences for being a Jazz fan. I can certainly understand your hatred for the LAKE SHOW. But Dwyane Wade already has a ring.
max
June 4th, 2010
1:05 pm
I am going Celtics in the Finals 6 games
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
1:05 pm
max: Lebron is just as overrated as his team. That is all.
Cody The KNow It ALL
June 4th, 2010
1:13 pm
Of course the media is going to be on Lebrons dick about what team he is going to. This is One of the up and coming best players in the NBA. This guy has so much potential and the team he decides to go to will go down in history.
NumberFanatic123
June 4th, 2010
1:15 pm
To all who say Lebron hasn’t won anything. Since when does winning an olympic gold medal not count for anything?
GoodTraction
June 4th, 2010
1:17 pm
Is Larry King wearing a coconut on his head?
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
1:19 pm
So why hasn’t Cleveland put up any banners, Mr. Know it All? Wasn’t Shaq supposed to be LeQueen and the Cavs’ savior? Shaq, the lauded one who Kobe could not get a ring without? Remember that?
The excuses keep piling for this kid. So now his mom getting her cougar on with Delonte West is the reason they CHOKED?? Was he hitting that last year, too? Are they currently preparing the next EXCUSE for when he BRICKS in 2011?
dap01
June 4th, 2010
1:22 pm
Lebron is a GREAT player but I am tired of his act. I am tired on hearing “he wants a great team around him”. Duh! Every player wants a great team around him. He is the best in the NBA but he clearly CHOKED in the playoffs.
I am tired of the “me first” athletes who feel that they are owed a championship.
FAN OF THE AIR UP THERE
June 4th, 2010
1:31 pm
kobe is great , lebron is great , no doubt lebron would beat kobe one on one but its a team sport , kobe won three titles with shaq and he will win at least two with gasol , and gasol is an elite player .kobe like him or not is more of a team leader where lebron is a me first player . and neither one of them will ever be michael jordan michael did it with a lay off in the middle , he is the best ever arrogance aside.
i can see an argument for bill russel being even better than MJ though.
justin
June 4th, 2010
1:36 pm
max i’m with you man!
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
June 4th, 2010
1:42 pm
71ST
Ted Striker
June 4th, 2010
1:54 pm
Lakeshow, 12:38 & 12:40 — Some guys don’t enjoy hip-hop, some guys don’t enjoy whitefin tuna, some guys feel insecure if they’re dating women who might be extremely attractive but maybe an inch or two taller than them when they’re wearing high-heels. Me, I’m very fine with all those things.
On the flip side, I don’t enjoy runny eggs, Zamfir Master of the Pan-Flute, non-lubricated condoms or watching Kobe Bryant. There are just better options for me. No hate involved, merely 100% personal Ted Striker preference.
JC
June 4th, 2010
1:55 pm
I know I’m late on this, but G-Money, it is the media who ARE doing this. Not is.
JC
June 4th, 2010
2:10 pm
Let’s call this what it is. The off-season, free agency and the NBA draft have become bigger news than the NBA Finals. Why? Because the NBA finals are boring and predictable. 8 of the last 11 Finals have either been won by the Lakers or the Spurs, and 10 of the last 11 have had the Lakers or Spurs in the Finals.
Wake me up when the Lakers win in 5.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
June 4th, 2010
2:18 pm
lakers in a sweep and no one realizes it until the ring ceremony next year.
JC
June 4th, 2010
2:18 pm
FYI, since the NBA-ABA merger, only 10 different teams have won the Finals. And half of those teams only won one championship. Only fairweather or hometown fans enjoy watching a team win multiple titles, especially teams as loathsome as the Lakers and Celtics or as boring as the Spurs.
Timmy
June 4th, 2010
2:19 pm
Remarkable,
only people with the ability to set the prices can participate in collusion. If three of the best workers from the local Wendy’s, Arbys, and KFC all decided to band together to work for the local Taco Bell then that’s not collusion…but if the owners of said companies decided to band together to fix prices or wages then it would be. The players can’t collude because they hold no real executive power…all they can do is bargain.
Steve
June 4th, 2010
2:24 pm
Jeff is there any way you can ban the word “first” or “1st?” Like the post will not post of those words are used?
i_am_soulstar
June 4th, 2010
2:32 pm
I’m not a LBJ fan by any means (probably more of a hater), but I gotta give it up. Lebron is the ultimate businessman. You’ve never seen an athlete in any sport pimp his own free agency the way this guy currently is.
He’s made it an event, and the worst part is, he may already know where he wants to go (stay), but he’s gonna milk it for all it’s worth. I don’t like the guy, but it’s downright impressive. So many writers lambaste LBJ for the Larry King interview, but it’s truly ambition and execution at it’s finest. You gotta appreciate the method to the madness.
Only sad part is (it’s already been said) that he’s exhibiting more focus in free agency than he ever did in the playoffs against the C’s.
1ST
June 4th, 2010
2:33 pm
Is there anyway post by people named Steve can be banned ?
just kidding !
gdawginkalamazoo
June 4th, 2010
2:37 pm
Ted Stryker, on your 10:35am post, point #4 pretty much renders this article useless (the Tivo, DVR argument, not the liposuction comment) Why couldn’t you have posted “First!” and ended this thing quickly.
Now days you can watch 32 different things at one time while facebooking, twitting, text messaging and driving 80+ mph down the interstate. Rewind if you couldn’t understand King James answer.
ScottBravesfan
June 4th, 2010
2:38 pm
The NBA playoffs are still going on? Damn, didn’t those things start three months ago? And now I’m seeing that they are taking not one but two days off between game 1 and game 2? Seriously? Is this football? Is this hockey? Why in the hell would you take that much time off between games when there is hardly any contact in basketball. Unbelievable. The NBA died when Jordan left.
TROTTINGHOME
June 4th, 2010
2:41 pm
He only hogs it cause you print it…just like you did here…dummy
Lebron James
June 4th, 2010
2:42 pm
My momma and Stepdaddy Delonte always said, “If you can’t join ‘em, beat ‘em”
gdawginkalamazoo
June 4th, 2010
2:42 pm
Instead of making the team around them better, players like Lebron get to move around until they get on a team with a couple of other super stars to get a ring. Why couldn’t Charles Barkley think of that one?
JC
June 4th, 2010
2:46 pm
Timmy, it may not technically be collusion, but I think the argument is still valid that LeBron can go to any team in the league and say “I want to play for you – you must also sign Wade, JJ or Bosh, and fill your coaching vacancy with preferred candidate X,” and it would be done within 24 hours. Whatever it is, it’s definitely more powerful than bargaining.
JC
June 4th, 2010
2:56 pm
If anybody’s doubting LeBron’s value, just want to remind you that Jordan didn’t win a title until he was 28. LeBron is 25. It’s not just his current abilities everyone is interested in, it’s his still-undiscovered potential.
kim
June 4th, 2010
3:05 pm
I remember when the game and the players was exciting, now all its about is who going to be the next Jordan or who is in the media the most. If Jordan would have lost like lebron , he would not leave the cavs or blame other people Jordan would be in the gym improving his skills, he would not be in the media acting like everything is ok. Players need to get back to working hard and loving the game. The NBA is crazy now, the players hearts are not in it to me. Instead of working hard and becoming the best and making a team nothing into something , they are picking teams that they know they can win with. This kind of stuff has to be stopped.
StingerSplash
June 4th, 2010
5:01 pm
He hogs the spotlight, because it’s continually being given to him … like this forum.
Who cares what he’s doing right now? Why is this even important? Free agency doesn’t start for a few weeks. Ignore the LeBron Free Agent Summit of Nuclear Disarmament and Whirled Peas.
On the Dan Patrick Show this morning, their poll question was is LeBron getting too much attention right now. Well, yes, if the media continues to make him the focal point of attention through poll questions and columnist blogs (ahem). Ignore The LeBron Show — because, really, what in hell could he possibly do to merit anything newsworthy at this juncture? He can’t sign with anybody — and it won’t distract from the Celtics-Lakers Part 82.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 4th, 2010
5:29 pm
Great post G-Money.
TROTTINGHOME
June 4th, 2010
6:19 pm
Guess what my post was stopped…don’t know why so here goes again…
You could have written about the women Dawgs kicking one of the best pitchers in the game straight in the knickers, but no…we get 3 small paragraphs from the AP…fricking ridiculous…not enough DRAMA I guess…
moorman
June 4th, 2010
7:33 pm
HE NEED to worry about his moma sleeping with the team.
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
7:46 pm
“I know I’m late on this, but G-Money, it is the media who ARE doing this. Not is.”
Seriously? A spell-check?! GTFOH
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
7:54 pm
“f anybody’s doubting LeBron’s value, just want to remind you that Jordan didn’t win a title until he was 28. LeBron is 25. It’s not just his current abilities everyone is interested in, it’s his still-undiscovered potential.”
So how does anyone of sound mind call this kid “great”, lump him in with the likes of Kobe and Jordan, or venture to say that he’s better than them? Where does that make sense when he hasn’t done a damn thing “great” yet? Oh, he won an Olympic gold with the rest of Team USA, great!
There.
LAKE SHOW
June 4th, 2010
7:58 pm
Again I ask: how does a team with one of the best records in the league, projected to win it all two years in a row (ha) all of a sudden become “ungood” during the playoffs?? They sure were “helpful” to LeQueen during the regular season, now it’s the rest of the team that sucks when they lose? FACE FACTS: The guy is NOT that great. End of story.
TROTTINGHOME
June 4th, 2010
10:43 pm
http://www.redtieride.com
TROTTINGHOME
June 4th, 2010
10:44 pm
I post something irrelevant and it gets through
jesse james
June 5th, 2010
12:07 am
Yea kind of like Urban Meyer during the National Championship Game. We made James a legend before he earned it.