The NBA Finals was supposed to be the meeting of the consensus two best basketball players in the NBA. Instead, LeBron James will be watching the series from home and sulking. Apparently, he left his team’s Game 6 loss in Orlando without saying a word to anyone. No congratulations. No comments to the press. He just put on his headphones and left the building. He’s taking some heat for it, and while I understand James’ reaction, I think he deserves it. I’ve been there, losing a game I really didn’t want to lose and just wanting to get the hell out of there. I always did shake the other team’s hand and never actually did just get the hell out of there. I don’t like James’ reaction after the game, but I understand it.
Something I learned several years ago playing flag football might benefit him: There is opportunity in defeat. Athletes aren’t just measured by how much they win or lose, they’re also measured by how they handle the winning and the losing. When you lose, you have the opportunity to show what kind of a person you are. When I’ve lost playoff games in recent years I’ve made it a point to celebrate the other team’s victory with them, and I’ve found it actually feels good. Of course, in the uber-macho world of pro sports, that’s tough for most guys to do.
Under all the questions about James is whether his silence means he has played his last game as a Cleveland Cavalier. The Cavs just don’t have a very good supporting cast for him (then again, few teams do for their highly paid superstar), and they don’t have a good coach. My guess is, despite failing ot make it to the NBA Finals, we’ll hear more about LeBron James in the next two months than whoever actually wins it all.
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 3:22 PM
LeBron should have manned up and faced the music. It comes with the territory of being a superstar with a zillion endorsements.
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Vince Carter used to be knocked because he seemed too friendly with his opponents–both before and after the game. Personally, I’d rather my star player be in funk because the team lost.
The Cavs had the best record in the NBA and are not going to the finals. That’s devastating. If LeBron was shaking hands, patting people on the back and smiling, I’d wonder where his competitive drive went.
I’m sure he’ll be happy to talk to the media in a day or two–it’s not like he’s going into hiding.
I don’t think he owes anyone a chance to share in his “agony of defeat.” This is not recreational sports where winners and losers line up and shake each other’s hands. This is the big leagues, and for LeBron to be in the same league as Michael and Kobe (ie. greatest player in the WORLD), he’s gotta get the ring. Until then, he’s just another Vince Carter or Allen Iverson. Why should he cry on camera just because that’s what the media wants?
Sheesh, how much is a guy expected to give?
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 5:55 PM
I do understand LeBron’s reaction. In the few minutes after a loss, I’m usually quiet and pensive. Not necessarily angry, just pensive. I get over that pretty quickly. But then again, I’ve never played in an NBA Conference Final with tens of millions of people watching. I do understand his immediate reaction.
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Jeez Cyd I would think you’d be used to losing by now that you wouldn’t still get quet and pensive.
I’m okay with cutting LeBron some slack but I do wonder what he might have said had the Cavs won and Dwight Howard dissed him in that way.
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 6:39 PM
What Jim said….
Also I’m very certain that LeBron’s contract in Cleveland runs out after the 09-10 season.
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Yeah he hasn’t played his last game in Cleveland unless the Cavs do the unimaginable and trade him in the offseason.
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 8:20 PM
I understand how LeBron feels, but don’t condone his actions. Superstars are held to a different standard — comes with making zillions and being in tons of commercials.
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 8:58 PM
James said of a potential gay player on his team that he should be trustworthy:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2757105
‘”With teammates you have to be trustworthy, and if you’re gay and you’re not admitting that you are, then you are not trustworthy,” James said. “So that’s like the No. 1 thing as teammates — we all trust each other. You’ve heard of the in-room, locker room code. What happens in the locker room stays in there. It’s a trust factor, honestly. A big trust factor.”‘
Being “trustworthy is a sign of character. It is an extremely difficult standard to live up to when it is not part of what you are paid to do.
A simple handshake – not even a smile – is an acknowledgement that for that seven, or six or whatever, game series the other team was the better team.
Holding back the tears until you are alone – if they’re honest ones – is a sign of character if it is “only a game”, which it is.
Athletes consume a great deal of propaganda from their coaches our culture about the importance of winning, perhaps at all costs, using whatever means necessary within the rules.
Well sometimes you lose a game. But if you can not show character after losing a game, it is going to pretty hard to deal sensibly with real lose in real life.
I think he should have saved the drama for another place and time and shown some real character to his teammates. He may be young, and he may have been plunked into the NBA and the bright lights of fame straight out of high school. But that just means growing up faster.
He should set an example for all the poor black kids who have to grow up too fast and be a man about losing.
And I wouldn’t be surprised if the rumors about Vince Carter being gay derived from his willingness to accept losing, and the fact that he understood that the bottom line was that “It’s only a game”.
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Like you said Lebron has the right to do what he did and you cant fault him for that. I would have did the same thing if I was in his shoes. He put everything he had into that game and not one teammate of his had his back. So when you Let down like that it hurts, not because you lost but because you are apart of a team that acted like they really didnt care after all the hard work trying to make a new image for themselves
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 9:09 PM
King James, suck it up!!! I love seeing you play the game; however, you can’t win them all. You have failed your team, the entire NBA Family (past, present and future) in addition to your many fans. The reaction was out of order. Next time; smile for the camera, praise the winning team and there is still time to cry in the dark. You will be respected moreso than bringing home a victory each game!
Continue to learn and become the best who there is at playing the game.
Peace,
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 9:20 PM
i learned to say “good game” to my opponent after losing back in kindergarten, did LeBron skip kindergarten as well as college?
on Jun 1st, 2009 at 11:20 PM
I dont understand why LeBron wouldn’t shake his opponents hands, that is just not having any class.
sincerly, Terrell Owens
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 1:43 AM
It’s hard to take this column seriously when you don’t know that LeBron James is signed through 2009-2010.
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 3:05 AM
Sorry, but I am disgusted at Lebron’s actions, and this is coming from a fan of his. All the great ones handled loss in such a gracious way, he will NEVER compare to Michael Jordan! His reasons for not shaking hands, or doing the required post press interviews make him sound more of a jerk!
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 3:08 AM
I highly doubt that Howard would of walked out if the Cav’s won. Regardless, people who compare him to Michael Jordan is a joke. Lebron has no titles, and he doesn’t have the same class as Jordan does. It sucks cause I like Lebron, but his reaction to loss just gives a bad taste in my mouth. I guess he doesn’t have any class.
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Here is the thing….the media and the NBA has put so much pressure on Lebron this season. This was suppossed to be the year of Lebron and Kobe. He is a great player and the media has boosted his ego from day one. They have been the ones comparing him Michael Jordan and expecting him to come into Cleveland and work miracles. With that being said, I do not agree with the fact that Lebron did not shake hands with the Magic but, I do understand why he did not talk to the media. No one wants to sit around after a big loss and answer STUPID questions asked by these sports reporters. They want to know how you feel, what more could you have done, what is your future with the team. No one wants to answer those questions immediately after a loss. So, I wouldn’t call him classless or a sore loser. I would call him a HUMAN being filled with much emotion not wanting to be bothered with something as trivial as shaking a hand or answering OBVIOUS questions. So, give the man a break!!!
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 11:54 AM
LeBron’s actions show how much he believes that anything less than winning the title is a failure in his eyes. I agree, I much prefer a player that is very upset after being eliminated than one that takes it in stride. LeBron did not seem himself in the series against Orlando. Maybe that is a credit to Dwight Howard and the Magic’s defense. Maybe part of it was also LeBron was unhappy with his coach or teammates in some ways. Time will tell.
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 PM
If I was a Cavs fan I would want LeBron to be pissed by losing. But shaking hands and showing some class is all that was asked of him. I guarantee Dwight Howard would have hugged half the Cavs team had the Magic lost. Howard said he was quite surprised by LeBron’s snub.
Maybe this whole “LeBron is a god” thing has gone to his head. Gods don’t shake hands with mere mortals.
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Scathing article on this very subject:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-lebron060109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Credibility, what are you talking about? I know he’s signed through next season. But, people are wondering if his antics mean he wants out of Cleveland and if the Cavs don’t think they can resign him in the next year there has been speculation as to whether they’ll trade him in the offseason. It’d be the smart move: If they won’t be able to resign him, they will get nothing for him a year from now so they could trade him now. That’s what I was talking about.
It is just so bizarre that our “credibility” keeps getting questioned on this Web site because people don’t think through what they’re reading.
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Lebron should man up. ok he lost a tough game he is young their is always next year. Even after boxing matches and ufc fights they still give props to the other fighter even though the are all beaten up.
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 PM
oy, can we kill the talking ads please?
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 11:09 PM
I remember a Michael Jordan monologue about how many times he had failed and lived with it. What class!
on Jun 3rd, 2009 at 12:23 AM
As a superstar, the face of the franchise and arguably the biggest star in the game he has an obligation to speak to the media following the game. It’s part of his job – it’s his duty.
If he wanted to take half an hour to himself – that’s fine, but to not face the media at all is ridiculous.
Just shows the type of character he has.
on Jun 3rd, 2009 at 1:16 AM
lebron should learn how to be a good loser..c’mon he’s not even on the same level as magic, bird or jordan….i hope he lose again & be more frustrated next season till he learned how to accept defeat.
on Jun 3rd, 2009 at 2:28 AM
lebron says hes a winner…..if he thinks that been mvp is been a winner hes pretty wrong………. he hasnt won a title and will never do……….his ego and immaturity will sink him ………and why he does that ridiculous acts when they are winning a game………when he wins he waits for the loser to get on his knees and shake his mvp hand……king stupid loser……what does this kid thinks he is?
on Jun 4th, 2009 at 1:08 PM
He is the biggest sore loser in the league. Problem is the NBA and sports media has spoiled and baby this dude to the point of no return. I think he believes he is king James and should be handed a NBA title. He said it makes no sense to shake hands to somebody that beat you up, at the same time it makes no sense to shake hands to someone you have beat up. Had he won he been throwing his hands left and right to people. I have no respect for that dude. Next year he should play with a diaper on the whole season.
on Jun 4th, 2009 at 10:39 PM
The following was written by the Tampa Bay Times’ Sports columnist Tom Jones. Entitled “Some Sports Stars Just Need To Get A Clue,” Mr. Jones lists his majesty lebron (lower-case, please note) as one of the aforementioned clueless:
“Shake hands like a man after you lose. King Lebron, apparently, is too competitive to congratulate the Magic after it beat him. Yet he doesn’t seem to have any hang-ups about shaking hands after he wins. And exactly who does he shake hands with after he wins? I’ll tell you who – good sports with a little class and grace who actually have the guts to talk to the media after the game, too.”
Nice
on Jun 4th, 2009 at 11:14 PM
You know I read all of these comments and the article on this blog and it amazes me the judgement that is passed here? I am a huge sports fan and have played sports my entire life. The blogger equates flag football and the sportsmanship involved afterward to the being on the brink of being in the NBA Finals! I know we are talking about class and character and what not and what it takes to make it all the way with comparisons to Jordan and other greats, but lets make it simple… Not one person commenting here understands the pressure he is under (and I am not a lebron fan or cleveland fan as seems one must declare one way or the other), not in the least bit especially a frigging flag football player!
Everyone could say easily well he should have at least shook hands, well he did not get where he is by being cordial! He got there through God Given talent, extremely hard work, and a competiveness that only chapmions such as Jordan, Bird, Magic, Isaia, and many other NBA greats too many to name so I name some of mine in my era will ever understand. You can take this across of all sports and find many greats and many different characters but all champions have one thing in common and that is that competitive desire to win.
Now we as fans love to ridicule our favorite teams opponents and we love to chastise our favorites teams failures, but lets not forget we are fans not just because we love the game but because we our WATCHERS, not players, we are those monday qaurterbacks who need to sometimes take a step back and realize we CANNOT do what these people do, so to sit here and judge so harshly is completely ridiculous!
So to you idots playing weekend softball(whic I love), and you would be ballers(which I was), and you weekend champions(which I have been), get a GRIP ON YOUR OWN EGO AND YOUR own EXISTANCE, and find a way to be objective enough to give at least a little slack when it is warranted!
These guys make millions of dollars and b/c of this they have to be able to take all of this flak, but as a fan I have to sometime pull the bullshit cards and say wait a damn minute please understand you cannnot and will never be half as good as these guys so just get the hell over it and enjoy the game!
on Jun 5th, 2009 at 12:50 AM
Brian:
This is how you act after you have lost an elite sporting event — it’s called sportsmanship, which King James showed none of last week:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/_data/photo/2009/06/05001404.jpg
on Jun 5th, 2009 at 4:29 AM
so Brian because these guys are the best and make so much money they are excused from being good sports? wtf kind of warped thinking is that? if you are at the top of your profession you must be PROFESSIONAL and set an example for all those below you. Your argument is totally absurd.
on Jun 5th, 2009 at 4:46 AM
you know you are a REALLY bad sport when you get outclassed by Bill Belichick:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/If-he-s-going-to-lose-Bill-Belichick-would-rath?urn=nfl,64971
at least he offered a handshake before bolting the field early in a far far FAR more heartbreaking loss than LeBron suffered in a non-competitive game 6 of an eastern conference finals…..
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 1:12 PM
You Lebron lovers need to get a reality check and stop being hypocrites. To see how hypocritical you are, imagine this was Kobe who refused to shake hands. Man, if that happened, if it was Kobe, you’d be hating left and right.
But since you’re lovers of Lebron, you give him a pass. It’s typical loverboy behaviors. Your lover can do no wrong. Well sorry, the fact is that if you’d say Kobe was a poor sport, you can’t say Lebron isn’t without being a hypocrite.
Stop with the Lebron loving.
on May 12th, 2010 at 11:42 AM
lebron made me mad just because they lost.he need to start playin harder cause last nite was not hard.he was lala land.you could of took over but his brain was some where else.dumb as* hole.