LeBron James spoke to the PD during a session at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, where he also promoted his film "More Than A Game." He discussed various topics which have created quite a stir in the media the past few months.
First he spoke about the trade for center Shaquille O'Neal:
Wow. Anytime you can get a guy like that. . . . I was asked by [management], 'Would you like him to be a part of this team?' and I said, 'Of course.' I've never had a low-post presence since I've been in the league. I love it.
He also talked about the new dimension that Shaq will add to the offense:
I can use some of my athleticism when a double-team comes and slash to the rim. Shaq's a very good passer, so he'll just throw it at the rim and I'll go get it.
On the aftermath of Game 6 against the Magic, when he walked off the court without shaking hands and refused to speak with the media, he said he would change a few things (but not everything).
"I wouldn't have done it the same," James said. "I would have [talked with] the media. Looking back on it, without you guys, there's no LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Tiger Woods or no Peyton Manning without the media."James, however, does not have any regrets about not shaking hands -- a practice that is uncommon during 82 the regular-season games.
"Shaking hands is not a big deal to me," James said. "It's not being a sore loser; it's moving on."
Finally, he spoke about the dunk controversy at his camp.
"I never told anyone to confiscate any tapes," James said. "Nike has a no-videotape policy at pickup games. Now that LeBron is involved, it's blown up."
James added with a smile.
"It's a play that happens in basketball all the time. You can go on YouTube and see me being dunked on by a lot of guys. I like to call myself a shot-blocker, and [getting dunked on] tends to happen."
I'm glad to see him speak up about these issues. Hopefull now the media will move on from this and talk about real basketball issues instead of these made-up "controversies", but I doubt it.
0 recs | 46 comments
LeBron is No Kobe Much Less MJ
About the talking as a third person thing, only Bob Dole can talk about Bob Dole as a third person, lol. Although LeBron James has many physical gifts and talent, he is soft mentally and emotionally. He does not understand what it takes to be a champion. I think he is an extremely self-centered ego maniac an for what reasons I don’t understand, as he is ugly and not that good. Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA by a land slide and has been since MJ’s departure. He is the only complete player, has an unmatched mental toughness and besides MJ is the most fierce competitor I have ever seen. Kobe really gets it! LeBron doesn’t get it. It is my opinion that LeBron is nothing more than a “fake” and a “poser” a “Michael Jordan wanna be.” Watching him try to act like MJ with his his pre-game talcum power clapping his hands and trying to get it on the announcers like MJ did. His commercials and tv appearances also show how soft and fake he is, just watching makes me want to puke!!! He is a rotten sport, sore loser, terrible jump shooter, average defender, soft, fake and he’ll never win the big one because he doesn’t have what it takes!!! Once again, the 3rd person thing only shows his extreme aerogance!!! He believes the hype and thinks he’s better than what he really is. Getting the MVP was a joke. He is the MOP (most overhyped Player) and that’s a wrap!!!
Bad Boy Bill - August 7, 2009
Lebron doesn't deserve the MVP?
Ok I’m a Lakers fan. I understand what you’re saying, but I’d like to let you know the best line to describe his season. ‘THE STATS DON’T LIE.’ in less-than 38 minutes/game he aveaged 28.4 points, 2.9 S+B (Steals and blocks), 7.3 assists and 7.6 rebounds. Look at the MVP as ‘what would his team have done WITHOUT him, and LeBron, by far, was the biggest individual impact to his team. If the Lakers didn’t have Kobe last year, you have to believe Odom and Gasol and Bynum and Fisher would have still brought the team to the playoffs. If the Cavs lose LeBron, yes they still make the playoffs, but they aren’t the 1-seed and they aren’t going anywhere.
carmelo15_fade - August 7, 2009
this is one of the dumbest posts ever to appear on this site.
that is all.
DontCallMeJoey - August 10, 2009
Making himself a champion
“I wouldn’t have done it the same,” James said. “I would have [talked with] the media. Looking back on it, without you guys, there’s no LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Tiger Woods or no Peyton Manning without the media.”
3/4 of those have won championships in their respective sports. One of them hasn’t, and he’s the one talking about those guys.
carmelo15_fade - August 7, 2009
"I wouldn’t have done it the same," James said. "I would have [talked with] the media. Looking back on it, without you guys, there’s no LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Tiger Woods or no Peyton Manning without the media."
3/4 of those have won championships in their respective sports. One of them hasn’t, and he’s the one talking about those guys.
by carmelo15_fade on Aug 7, 2009 1:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Great point Carmelo! LeBron thinks he’s “King James”, but he’s simply a poser and a wanna be in my opinion. His problem is that he believes the hype! He’s never won anything big or done anything big. Personally, I think he’s soft and doesn’t have what it takes. He is a spoiled brat and has had people crowning him King since he was a sophomore in high school. I have no respect for him after watching him walk off the floor without shaking hands and not talking after the game. He is a big baby!!!
Bad Boy Bill - August 7, 2009
Well, look, another LeBron basher stopped by. And not only is he a whiner and a loser and a spoiled brat, but now you called him UGLY. Yes, ugly. Way to show your maturity there.
If you don’t have anything constructive to say then please leave and go somwhere else to bash LeBron. Try a Lakers or Celtics board, they love that stuff. We don’t need this idiotic rant here.
Buckeye Brad - August 7, 2009
I've reread his post several times
and I fail to see where he called LBJ ugly…
whorge - August 7, 2009
He did it in his post above.
Buckeye Brad - August 7, 2009
I bet these same people used to say Peyton Manning was a loser and didn’t have what it takes. Then they let his career play out a bit, and move on to someone else to dump on
Roger Dorn - August 7, 2009
Realistically
You can’t deny the self-centered ego maniac part.
The dude has “Chosen 1” tatted on his back!
detpistons3 - August 8, 2009
I’m sorry, but there is no way you can seriously say LeBron is a self-centered egomaniac. Anybody who has watched his career knows he isn’t like that at all. Does he have some ego? Of course, but he’s one of the best basketball players in the world and everybody has been telling him how great he is since he’s been in high school. You or I or anybody else in that situation would have some ego, too. But to call him self-centered and an egomaniac is just not fair.
What has he done to deserve that? Nothing. The worst thing he’s done publicly in his basketball career is probably walking off the court without shaking hands this year in the playoffs (which isn’t that big of a deal anyways). He has always been a great teammate, starting when he was in high school and continued through his NBA career. He could have scored 40-50 points every game in high school but he settled for scoring 25 and getting his teammates involved. And he’s played the same way in the NBA. Everyone who knows basketball talks about what a great teammate he is. If you watch his play you can see him always looking for open teammates to pass to. How is that being self-centered?
Sure, he has that tatoo on his back and the nickname, but every superstar has some nickname or tatoos. What about Shaq calling himself Superman and putting that logo on his body? Besides, it was SI that put him on the cover and called him the Chosen One when he was in high school, so it’s not like he made that up himself. And he said in a recent book that he regrets using that nickname and all the attention he got in high school, but he was young and immature. You and I and many others would have acted the same.
Considering all the attention he has received since he’s been 14 or 15 years old, and everyone telling him how great he is, I think he’s become a relatively humble and grounded athlete. He always respects the other players in the league when he’s speaking about them, and respects the history of the game. You really have no basis for calling him that, other than trying to bash LeBron just for the sake of bashing him. If you looked at the facts you’d find that it’s just not true.
Buckeye Brad - August 8, 2009
The dude is the best basketball player in the word—or will soon be if you like Kobe—is filthy rich and famous. Let him have a little ego, who cares? He plays the game the right way, he is a team guy, he doesn’t commit crimes outside of speeding, and he isn’t a complete jerk.
Ego-maniac is a whole ‘nother story. Bron doesn’t even come close to that, and he has never played the game in a self-centered manner. He is team-first all the time. I don’t know the man, so I can’t speak of him as a person, but he hasn’t done much to make me think he’s a jerk.
rufio - August 8, 2009
A “poser” and a “wanna be”? Are insults I used in the 7th grade back in fashion now?
rufio - August 7, 2009
Bad Boy Bill, How old are you?! 12? Your posts just repeat the same thing…and make absolutely no sense.
johnnyphoenix - August 8, 2009
First, Lebron atleast spoke which is good.
But here are my questions based on this comment:
Why weren’t cameras confiscated at the entrance? Everyone there obviously knows that it was being recorded by many people. Was it in the hopes that if Lebron did something great that it could be used to promote Nike’s brand. I believe him when he says that it wasn’t he idea. But c’mon you cannot hide behind the no-videotape policy. Let’s just call it what it is which is a PR move. Nike was protecting their cash cow. It is just that simple.
PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE - August 7, 2009
Once again, thanks for your “unbiased” Lakers fan opinion. It is so nice of you Lakers fan to constantly stop by and let us know the “truth”.
Buckeye Brad - August 7, 2009
Without taking it so personal
do you have an answer to my comments/questions? I would hope that atleast you would comment on the fact that the onus is not place on Lebron but the Nike camp. But I guess any point of view from a non-Cavs fan isn’t welcomed. Thank you for acknowledging everything else I said. As if your comments were not biased Mr Asst Coach.
PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE - August 7, 2009
I don’t know anything about the situation so I can’t comment. But I’m not going to assume anything like other people have done. I don’t know exactly what you want me to answer to. I don’t know why cameras weren’t confiscated at the entrance — I wasn’t there. Is that what you want to hear?
By the way, what comments did I make that were biased?
Buckeye Brad - August 7, 2009
Are you serious?
Your actions were biased therefore that makes your questioning biased. You disagreed with me not because of my comments but because I am a Laker fan. As a matter of fact the ONLY thing you concentrated on was that I was a Laker fan and nothing else. Do you want to ask me a more intelligent question? How can you ask such a question? Let me remind you and you tell me if your questioning wasn’t biased.
Jus the face that you only concentrated on me being a Laker fan is proof of your biased questioning.
PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE - August 7, 2009
I concentrated on your being a Lakers fan because there wasn’t really anything else to talk about, as I said above. Do I need to repeat myself? I wasn’t at the camp and I don’t know Nike’s policies, so I’m not going to speculate and make assumptions of wrongdoings like some people.
And here’s the thing — this site has been bombarded by fans of other teams, mostly Lakers fans, coming here solely to bash LeBron without trying to contribute anything else to this site. And the worst part about their comment is that they accuse us Cavs fans of being “homers” because we’re not bashing LeBron like they are. I find it amusing that they accuse us of being biased while ignoring their own biases. I’m really, really tired of dealing with all that, which is why I responed the way I did to you. I assumed you were just another Lakers fan coming here to bash LeBron and I’m tired of talking about this stupid dunk controversy. I want to talk real basketball.
So I’m sorry if I offended you by calling your comments biased. I assumed you were like all the other Lakers fans who’ve been here, and I remember you name from other comments and I thought you had bashed LeBron here before. If that wasn’t your intention then I apologize.
But, personally attacking me all over this site is NOT the way to get your point across. That was not necessary. I haven’t said anything about you near as bad as what you’ve said about me.
Buckeye Brad - August 7, 2009
I hope you realize the my first comments were to compliment Lebron for finally speaking up. I acuatlly ONLY questioned Nike and then you jumped all over me about being a Laker fan. The rest of your comments above just show that you are generalizing me. I don’t lump up all Cavs fans into one generalization. All teams have bad apples. The Laker riots proved that. I have major respect for Spurs and Cavs fans. I actually, believe it or not, saw Lebron play a game in UCLA as a high school player and I understand that he is young and will make mistakes. I’m a Kobe fan, I understand that. But don’t jump all over me just because I’m a Laker fan. I will leave it alone and respect the fact that you were big enough to apologize and I will do the same. My apologies. Good luck to the Cavs next year. If we do see the Cavs let the best team win. We both know who we want to win.
PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE - August 7, 2009
I am guessing they didn’t pat everyone down on their way in. It’s kinda easy to notice someone filming when they are filming, not as easy to notice they have a camera when they have it in a bag.
rufio - August 7, 2009
bad quote
Hate this quote by Lebron. Everybody knows shaking hands is one of the most traditional and sacred parts of sports. Sure the gesture itself is nothing, grasping another man’s hand and moving it up and down. But what it symbolizes is sportsmanship itself. I’m sure we’ve beaten this horse before, but Lebron just disregarding it like it’s nothing is a bad move.
detpistons3 - August 8, 2009
Yes, this is beating a dead horse.
Buckeye Brad - August 8, 2009
Is this the Lakers-Pistons blog?
I think the new logo threw a lot of people off.
Hardcore Legend - August 8, 2009
Does it matter?
We have the right to visit any blog we want. Cavs fans should be happy their blog gets input from outside sources. It’s not like I was being immature or bashing anybody, just stating an opinion.
detpistons3 - August 8, 2009
It's called trolling
you bring a contrarian opinion to a group of people you know it while aggravate.
Hardcore Legend - August 8, 2009
But the opinion still has bearing to it
I’m not trying to irritate Cavs fans, just inputting a fresh view.
detpistons3 - August 8, 2009
Call me ungrateful, but I’m not really feeling all that privileged because I got to read about your thoughts.
And you are calling LeBron an ego maniac?
rufio - August 8, 2009
Ego Maniac
Maybe a bit extreme. But he is a bit full of himself. Some humility would be a nice change. Look at Kevin Durant, one of the rising superstars of this age, he doesn’t even consider himself a superstar. He says he’s not anywhere near the level of Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant, which he isn’t, but still not alot of guys would put that out there.
detpistons3 - August 8, 2009
Huh? Kevin Durant is right, he’s not near the level of Paul and Kobe yet. And LeBron said the same things when he was in his second year in the league, so I don’t know your point. LeBron has always been a humble guy, at least as humble as a superstar athlete can get. Why are you getting on LeBron like this? This is the kind of crap we don’t want to hear on this blog, some Pistons fan calling LeBron a “self-centered egomaniac”.
Buckeye Brad - August 8, 2009
LeBron always puts his head in his hands, gets eyes as big as saucers, and is literally speechless in interviews when he’s mentioned in the rare company that is magic, bird, jordan, big o. so, if kevin durant saying he’s not as good as paul/kobe means he’s humble, then why isn’t it for LeBron?
DontCallMeJoey - August 10, 2009
As I see it, LeBron is between a rock and a hard place. If he’s nice, he’s “too nice” and people criticize him for not having that “killer instinct” that MJ had and Kobe has. If he passes to open shooters at the end of the game instead of taking the shot with two guys on him, he’s “afraid”.
Then, if he takes that shot or if he shows off some more confidence, aggressiveness, and thumps his chest a little bit, guys like you say he’s self centered and cocky.
He gets criticized no matter what he does, so I think he’s just choosing to be confident and play like other greats have played. You don’t have to like him—in fact as a Pistons fan I’d probably think it is a good thing if you hate him. I do like him, and I don’t think trying to convince Cavs fans that LeBron is selfish is really worth your time.
rufio - August 10, 2009
Everybody knows shaking hands is one of the most traditional and sacred parts of sports?
hey detpistons3- Everybody knows shaking hands is one of the most traditional and sacred parts of sports? Buckeye Brad is correct this is beating a dead horse. You are just inputting a fresh view? Your view was discussed to “death” when this happened months ago. More importantly the statement is not accurate. MLB- America’s Pastime- do you see players from the losing team shaking hands with the winning team after games played in the regular season, playoffs or World Series. No they don’t. The only players, manager and coaches that shake hands are the winning team with each other. NFL- Not every player or assistant coaches meet at midfield to shake hands. NBA- I have watched allot of games (regular season and playoffs) in which players and coaches do not always shake hands after a game- waive across the floor from bench. etc. Did all the Orlando players before leaving the court congratulate the Lakers players?- NO! If Lebron went over to shake hands as the Orlando players were celebrating- there would people complaining that he interrupted the celebration- what are you doing, you lost, get of the frickin court! NHL- This is the only of the major sports that it is tradition for the players to line-up and shake hands after games. If you are big on sportsmanship you probably should consider not watching MLB, NFL and NBA. Perhaps you are confusing the NBA with NCAA basketball were teams line-up to shake hands after games? Based on the Major Sports when it comes to shaking hands- 1) NHL, 2) NFL, 3) NBA and 4) MLB.
ode butternutsquash - August 8, 2009
off topic
im a huge lebron fan but
ive never liked his shoes. they’re wayy too heavy and the style is kinda wack.
i like kg’s kobe’s and brandon roy’s shoes
dodgers2009 - August 8, 2009
That’s my shoe budget for about 10 years.
rufio - August 10, 2009
Lebron is
overrated, underrated, a punk, a poor sport, an egotistical jerk, a great team player, a good father, a NYY lover, a Cleveland traitor, a NY Knick.
E5 - August 9, 2009
Please get a new rhetoric ….. ur bandwaggoning is really, really annoying.
talonk - August 10, 2009
LeBron is Dope
And He blazes.
From a Magic fan who did not shake hands with his Grandma when she beat him at Wii Bowling…
Will Said Skills Pay the Billz? - August 10, 2009
It's really quite simple
He’s a poor sport and the basketball gods have punished him with ZERO championships.
Coop21 - August 12, 2009
another brain surgeon chimes in…
DontCallMeJoey - August 12, 2009
This post generated a lot of comments.
Gils_Keloids - August 12, 2009
Just something Tucker posted...
love these comments. Not mine, btw. But I completely agree. Which means Buckeye Brad won’t. The whole article is here.
And he provided us with this great follow up as well:
tandur - August 13, 2009
This is a non-issue
Stop beating a dead horse.
Gils_Keloids - August 13, 2009
I'm totally kidding
Gils_Keloids - August 13, 2009
3. shows some pretty clear anti-LeBron bias, so any potentially credible points in there are tainted.
4. I thought that leaving his teammates/coach to explain everything to the media was probably the worst thing he did that night.
rufio - August 14, 2009
you're still talking about that? i thought that horse was buried by now.
It reminds me of the microscopic scrutiny our current president endures. It’s ridiculous. “LeBron didn’t stick around and shake everybdy’s hand? Terrible!”
I think he did well NOT talking to the press, he was understandably upset. Did everybody that hates him want him to CRY? Beat someone up?
Heading straight for the locker room showed a lot more maturity than I had at that age. Be glad he wasn’t angry at YOU.
bozohead - August 17, 2009
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