The Cleveland Cavaliers lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Orlando Magic. In losing the elimination game, Lebron James raced off the court, showered, and got on his team bus to go home.
Lebron James has been hammered by the fans and media for refusing to shake hands with the Orlando Magic players and for skipping the mandatory press conference. Since James is a superstar, most people feel it is important that he abide by the common rules and customs of the league. Many feel that Lebron has an obligation to set a good example for young basketball fans and players, and that Lebron's unsportsmanlike behavior and childlike antics are unacceptable.
While many have criticized Lebron for his actions, few have had the courage to address why Lebron acted this way. Most just assume that he was being a sore loser and did not want to talk to anyone because he lost an important game. In other words, Lebron was being a poor sport.
Lebron's motives are not so black and white. There are many factors which should be considered when judging Lebron's decision to snub the Orlando Magic and the media. Such factors include Lebron's relationship with the Orlando Magic, his relationship with the media, his conscious attempt to set a good example for young players, and his past experience in such situations.
Lebron has a good relationship with the Orlando Magic. They may be one of his favorite teams since they allow him to do whatever he wants on the basketball court. Lebron did not suffer any flagrant fouls or dirty plays during the series. There was little trash talking and practically no animosity between the Cavs and the Magic.
Lebron also has a good relationship with the media. Lebron has been a media darling from the time he was in high school. Lebron is accessible and friendly. Lebron comes off as genuine. Outside of this incident, his relationship with the media has been great both ways. Most media pundits were baffled that Lebron would skip the press conference.
Lebron is very aware of his influence on young people, especially since he has been in the public eye since he was in high school. He understands that young kids look up to him.
On the other hand, Lebron has been to the playoffs five times and has lost in the playoffs all five times he has been. Lebron has never snubbed the winning team or the media in those previous playoff trips. So why now? Most people just assume that Lebron was being a poor sport.
These assumptions are unfair to Lebron, but he should realize that people are curious as to why he acted in such a manner and if he will not give a reason, people have to go by the word of the sports media. The sports media was just as clueless so they wrongly asserted that Lebron was being a sore loser.
Lebron was not being a sore loser or a poor sport. It is much more complex than that. Imagine how you would feel if you were anointed the best basketball player in the world prior to winning anything? You would feel obligated to win and to prove that you truly are the greatest in the world. Those expectations are tremendous.
Prior to Lebron being crowned King, Kobe Bryant was deemed the best basketball player on the planet. However, the emergence of Lebron James and a healthy Dwayne Wade has created a three way battle. Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade both have won a championship. Lebron has not. For Lebron, this season was championship or bust...
Lebron realizes that one man cannot win a championship by himself. Lebron knows that he did not have much help on his past teams, but this year was different. Everything seemed to be coming together for Lebron. His GM made moves to get Lebron some much needed help. The team acquired Mo Williams, Ben Wallace, Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak. Lebron's team won 66 games and was the front runner to win the NBA championship. He had home court advantage, healthy teammates, puppet commercials, and a cakewalk through the first and second round.
Lebron had high expectations for himself. He wanted to win a championship for his home team before possibly leaving for a bigger market. By winning a championship for Cleveland, he would not feel obligated to stay with the Cavs when he becomes a free agent next summer.
When Lebron failed to meet his expectations, he was extremely upset with himself. Unable to suppress his emotions, Lebron did what he felt was best for the league. Lebron did not want to put up a front, but he also did not want his anger to show, so he walked away. Lebron had no hard feelings towards the Orlando Magic, and he will congratulate them when he composes himself and his congratulations and apologies will be sincere.
The NBA is not like the NHL where teams are expected to line up single file and shake hands with each player of the opposing team. In the NBA, players and coaches will sometimes seek out players on the other team to offer kind words, but it is common for most players, winners and losers, to head straight to the locker room. The Orlando Magic players have not made a big deal of Lebron going straight to the locker room, so it does not make sense for fans and media to criticize Lebron.
Lebron James was not being a poor sport. Lebron was faced with a troubling situation and he did the right thing by walking away. He did not want to offer a fake congratulations to Orlando because they deserve better than that. He did not want to give a press conference because angry players tend to say dumb things in front of a camera. For example, remember Kobe two summers ago talking about Andrew Bynum and the rest of his organization. Though fans and media may remember Lebron pouting and storming off the court, it is far better than a player publicly ripping himself, his coach, his teammates, and his organization. As for shunning the Orlando Magic players, if they do not have a problem with it, then it is a non-issue.
This is old news don't know why you are bringing this back up. it has been dealt with.
Lebron shouldn't plan on leaving the Cavs ever unless he is alright with being public enemy number one for selling out like that so I don't think that's what motivated him. He isn't built to be the bad guy like Kobe.
you like 3 weeks late bro. whats up with that?
did you ask lebron this or are you just speculating...? it just sounds like you are making things up and passing them off as fact or rationale.
Mitch,I was gonna say the same thing. No one is really talking about this anymore. Ill give you a pass since youre a new writer but itd help if you research what some of the other writers have written if and when possible. We usually talk about similar things if theres something new to add to the story
When in doubt ask Litall or even myself you can reach me at yoursportsquota@gmail.com.
As for LeBron not being a sore loser.Id have to disagree wholeheartedly. Its not the fact that he walked away and didnt want to shake hands with the opposing team at that moment in time, it was his unapologetic nature about it after the fact like hes above such things. Ok so you've lost an important game,understandable youre upset cuz you have something to prove, your teammates were nowhere to be found but at the end of the day you're still the team leader. You should not leave your teammates holding the bag simply because you're upset. He is not the only person w incredible skill to lose and won't be the last person to.Then to drag Kobe into the matter in an unrelated incident about ripping his teammates still does not excuse LeBron's behavior. Wrong is wrong whether in private or in public
Welcome to reality
"Lebron has been a media darling from the time he was in high school."
Agreed, but i would like to add that the main reason why the media wanted so badly to annoint him as the new golden boy was because kobe bryant fell out of favorite with the media because of his feud with Shaq and his run-ins with the Colorado criminal justice system.
damn kid, don't u recognize a publisity stunt when uc1?
Anonymous has a point. LeBron was supposed to be the golden boy. Guess what? He isn't. He is cocky and at times arrogant but he has the game to back it up. I was glad he didn't congratulate anyone, it was a throwback to the old days when NBA players weren't buddy buddy. He wants to win period.
queen james will never be better then kobe..kobe has four rings the crying queen loser james has zero what a loser your stuiped dreams were crush.
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