I went back and watched the entirety of the 1-hour special titled "The Decision" that aired on ESPN in which LeBron James announced he was signing with the Miami Heat. During the telecast, I recall several moments when I thought to myself, "What did he just say?" On 710 AM radio, Andrew Siciliano and Mychal Thompson recently have been reviewing "The Decision" and how LeBron is seen in the media, in light of the season starting. Here's a review of some of the questions James was asked and how he responded:
Jim Gray: What's been going on with you this summer?
LeBron James: This whole free agent experience, I'm looking forward to it.
Since it was the first question, Gray asked it jokingly as a way to break the ice. Ummm, you're looking forward to it? I know you're sitting on the "hot seat" at the moment, and a bajillion people are watching, but seriously? Couldn't even answer a simple, easy question properly? Oy.
JG: Would you like to sleep on it a little longer or are you ready to make this decision?
LBJ: Uh, naw I've slept enough; or the lack of sleep.
That doesn't even make sense. I know what you're trying to say and understand that you're trying to make light of the fact that you haven't been able go get much sleep in the time leading up to this announcement. So say that! Not difficult.
JG: What's your decision?
LBJ: I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.
Take your talents to South Beach? I suppose that's a creative way to word it. It was also ridiculous. Sometimes, less is more. A simple response would have been just as useful. And less corny.
JG: How do you think you'll be able to fit in and possbily not be the headliner all the time?
LBJ: Well, for me it's not about sharing, it's about everybody having their own spotlight...
THAT'S THE PROBLEM!!! If all 3 of you have your own spotlight, then you're never going to gel as a team. You're all going to need the ball separately and have to do your own thing individually. BUT, if you SHARE the spotlight, that's what will make this work.
LBJ: ... At this point, D-Wade is the unselfish guy here, to be able to have Chris Bosh and then LeBron James, to welcome us to his team, it's not about and individual here.
I agree. Dwayne is THE upstanding dude in this situation. He even took less money than either Bosh or James once the contracts had been figured out. He should've been the one getting paid the most and Bosh and James should have taken less for the chance to play with him in his town. Also, why the 3rd-person? Totally unnecessary.
JG: How do you explain this to people in Cleveland?
LBJ: It's heartfelt for me...
I'm pretty sure that's not the right usage of that term. If it is, that's absurd.
LBJ: ...the greatest challenge for me is to move on.
It's true that great challenges do come from moving on. It's also true that great challenges come from gutting out current situations, growing through them, and growing with the people who stick with you through them.
Michael Wilbon: How heavy has this whole thing been the last few weeks?
LBJ: It's been a huge... It's been heavy on me a lot.
Granted Wilbon's question wasn't the most eloquently worded, but it's like LeBron didn't even try to come up with an intelligible answer.
I UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION. LeBron James is NOT a public speaker. I get that. However, HE created this setting. It may not have been his idea, so I've heard, but it was his decision to go along with it. That being the case, he has to be a little more prepared and come off a little more well-spoken. Contrary to what I said at the start of this paragraph, LeBron IS a public speaker. At least, it's part of what he does as an athlete. Every kid grows up seeing their favorite stars giving interviews, appearing at press conferences, being in commercials, etc. They know that should they become a professional athlete, they will be in the media and will have to know how to talk and behave when the whole world is watching. LeBron had weeks (if not months) to prepare for this. He controlled the entire situation. And he's been in the public eye since he was in high school. He has to be able to represent himself in a much better way. Instead, he embarrassed himself. He deserves all of the criticism sent his way. (Criticism, not personal attacks. BIG difference. Most people have attacked him and are idiots for doing so. I tried not to do that.) He has also created all of the expectations being placed on this team. All of the pressure is on him to make it work because of how he handled it. Good luck this year, LeBron, but I won't be rooting for you.
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