NJ Star Ledger: LeBron James is big loser in free agency

[Shooter]

He looked like a man who had gotten to the altar on his wedding day and realized he was marrying the wrong woman.

Nervous. Despondent. Sorrowful. This is how LeBron James came across on the day that was supposed to be filled with joy. Imagine how he’ll look when he realizes exactly what his decision will bring.

He has ensured that the old cliché “you can’t go home again” will literally apply to him, since he is nothing more than Art Modell in baggy shorts to the Cleveland fans who once adored him.

He has guaranteed a venomous reception the next time he steps foot in midtown Manhattan ... or Chicago ... or Los Angeles ... or Newark ... or every arena north of Miami.

He has transformed his image from a universally worshiped superstar to a bicoastal basketball villain, one who better win a championship or six if he ever hopes to change that back.

And, while it will be largely overlooked, his nine words — “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach” – have effectively ended New Jersey’s frustrating and fruitless dalliance with professional basketball.

Maybe most of all, this was a sickening episode for sports in general. James was the architect of the biggest me me me moment in the history of pro sports, with ESPN as an eager accomplice.

The network gave up whatever shred of credibility it had with Jim Gray milking this moment with question after question before asking the only one that mattered. Even James looked uncomfortable, sitting there with an audience of kids turned into props for the occasion.

There were too many cringe worthy moments to list, but one stood out. James, asked about the reaction in Cleveland, actually said the fans there “can have mixed emotions of course.”

Mixed? Oh, they’ll be well sorted, big guy. He has no clue what this decision — and how it was handled — is going to do for his image across the country, not just in his home state.

http://www.nj.com/nets/index.ssf/2010/07/politi_lebron_james_is_big_los.html#incart_hbx

 

[Pinwheel1]

To me James made one bad decision. The TV show. Big deal. As we all know the media loves to build players up and they loves tearing them down even more.

The kid lived his whole life in Akron Ohio. He deserves to choose his next destination. What good is having a 100 million dollars if you are stuck in Cleveland. Yes he looked nervous and sad because he knew what was coming. But like everything else (see the rapist) it will all pass in a year. (If that long)

The real loser....Nike. First Tiger and now LeBron. Not a great year. But they will be just fine too.

 

[STOMP]

oh boy a soap opera for men with real live villains! This is so interesting... what will the bad man do next? I have worked my self righteous anger into a lather over this developing situation that has nothing to do with me. When/where do I get to use my tar and feathers?

STOMP

 

[Shooter]

oh boy a soap opera for men with real live villains! This is so interesting... what will the bad man do next? I have worked my self righteous anger into a lather over this developing situation that has nothing to do with me. When/where do I get to use my tar and feathers?

The amount of energy you spend criticizing my posts is truly amazing. You seem to have a weird fascination with me that is even more pathetic than what you are accusing me of doing with the LeBron business.

What do you do, sit around waiting for Shooter make a post so you can attack it?? You may not realize it, but I couldn't care less what you think or what you say about me on this board. I am, however, amused by your vitriol and the way you spew it.

Here's a hint: get a life.

 

[barfo]

I really like the sound of "bicoastal basketball villain". I'm not sure what makes James bicoastal, but I like it anyway.

barfo

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I can't wait to see Miami play in Cleveland for the first time.

 

[STOMP]

The amount of energy you spend criticizing my posts is truly amazing. You seem to have a weird fascination with me that is even more pathetic than what you are accusing me of doing with the LeBron business.

What do you do, sit around waiting for Shooter make a post so you can attack it?? You may not realize it, but I couldn't care less what you think or what you say about me on this board. I am, however, amused by your vitriol and the way you spew it.

Here's a hint: get a life.

I doubt I've responded to two posts of yours in the last year

paranoid much or just batshit crazy?

STOMP

 

[Shooter]

I doubt I've responded to two posts of yours in the last year

paranoid much or just batshit crazy?

You must have selective memory. You get an insane amount of pleasure (apparently) from weighing in against me, but no matter. Enjoy the rest of your day. Are they playing bingo tonight at the nuthouse?

 

[Blazed Mania 52]

I was surprised to find out that Lebron is actually too pussy to play against his closest rivals.

 

[STOMP]

You must have selective memory.

my memory is pretty solid... and not only that, I know how to use the search function on the top right of this website. This is a query of all the threads we've appeared in together...

*edit* not every thread listed has you in it as your handle is a common hoops jargon term, but you should be able to see the one's you're in because of the little green arrow beside the thread title. Hope that helps

You get an insane amount of pleasure (apparently) from weighing in against me, but no matter. Enjoy the rest of your day. Are they playing bingo tonight at the nuthouse?

I've made plenty of posts expressing what I think of this sort of silly soap opera stuff... 99% of which has been in response to other posters. Insane that you'd think it's all about you even when I rarely respond to your crap. Enjoy your silly pretend dramas!

STOMP

 

[Mediocre Man]

http://twitpic.com/242ex1


Again, he comes off as an assand a liar

 

[Minstrel]

http://twitpic.com/242ex1


Again, he comes off as an assand a liar

No, he doesn't. He comes off as someone who has changed what he wants in 4 years. If your desires didn't change at all from ages 21 to 25, that would be very surprising. Had he said that and then switched teams in 2006, he'd look like a liar.

 

[Ed O]

 

[BGrantFan]

http://twitpic.com/242ex1


Again, he comes off as an assand a liar

http://sportstwo.com/threads/164042-Fuck-LeBron-and-Fuck?p=2379798&viewfull=1#post2379798

 

[KingSpeed]

I can't wait to see Miami play in Cleveland for the first time.

I bet people throw things at him. There will be arrests that night.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

@Toni_Kukoc "what's the difference between saturn and lebron james? they're both big and full of gas, but at least saturn has rings."

ZING!

 

[Nikolokolus]

ZING!

Hah! Love it.