By Matt Pelc
I thought this was a great article by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports regarding LeBron James‘ televised decision.
STATE OF LEBRON: LIVE AT 9, FROM HIS EGO
The fact that James is using ESPN for his place to announce his decision is a match made in heaven as both facets of that equation are incredibly into themselves and more of an icon in the figment of their imagination than in reality.
For those hard core Matt Pelc fans out there, you may remember my first entry to the blog world was a LeBron James anti-fan site, which decried all the media attention a high schooler was getting. I must admit, however reluctantly though, that LeBron has lived up to his hype and been a relative class act up until recently.
The ego began to rear its head with his refusal to shake the hands of the victorious Orlando Magic after last year’s Eastern Conference Finals and his failure to address the media following a loss when he is always front and center after a win.
Then came reports that he quit on his team in the pivotal Game 5 against Boston this year, following his mom and a teammate allegedly knocking boots.
But the final straw is the way he has made himself bigger than the game every step of the way in the year leading up to free agency and this free agency period. This organized stunt will draw an audience as any quote-unquote reality show would.
But while you are watching ask yourself this, why couldn’t he announce his decision when he made up his mind instead of organizing this self-love affair. Why does he need an hour to say something that will take 15 seconds?
Because its all about him.
Cleveland fans and Detroit fans can rarely agree on anything, however I feel for Cleveland’s fans.
Cleveland and Detroit are very similar. Each take hits from jokes and inaccurate facts by people who have never even set foot in any one of the cities and many times they have had athletes who have sought out the brighter lights of other cities and could not wait to get out of town.
Even if LeBron stays, Cleveland still loses. He has toyed with their emotions since the end of their playoff run against Boston and for a native son knowing the fragile mindset of Cleveland fan, James outta be ashamed of himself.
Not to mention this sets up a dangerous precedent as on the eve of the second Preseason NFL weekend, you will see Brett Favre giving a three-hour special on his decision whether or not to retire (and we all know what decision that will be).
Hosted, of course, by John Madden.
Posted 9:39 p.m.
July 8th, 2010 - 7:41 pm
Everything you wrote is right on the freakin’ money – unless, of course, LBJ signs with the Bulls in which case he would represent all that is good and right with the world.
Conjuring up the specter of a Brett Favre special is the cruelest thing you have ever done, Dr. Pelc. ANYONE who read this post will not be sleeping in the foreseeable future. I’m seeing Brando as Col. Kurtz in “Apocalypse Now” –”The horror. The horror.”
Thanks.