Texags... we know more about building successful NBA franchises than Pat Riley.

quote:

---

I think the only thing he owes them is not humiliating them with a 1 hour display of attention hoaring at a level professional sports has never seen.

---

I agree with this, and I'm usually a LeBron defender. When he announced this hour long special, I thought it was just a way for him to return to Cleveland (a move that would create a lot less buzz than going to NY, Chicago or Miami) and yet still be the center of attention by a mile. I really didn't think he was that big of an a-hole, to completely destroy an entire city's hopes like that on live national tv. But I also think he's naive to the backlash he's going to receive for this.

quote:

---

quote:

---

He was going to get torched by the media and butthurt fans no matter what he did.

---

not true

going to the heat was probably his worst play with regard to his image

---

Yes, but once he chose the Heat there was no way to spin the announcement to appease people. Press conference, private leaked announcement, 1 hour special, personally going door to door to apologize for leaving - he was going to get killed by the media/fans whatever he did.

I'm proud of lebron for doing what he wants. If I had a chance to do that wth 2 of my est friends that would be easy. Imagine the fun.

quote:

---

Yes, but once he chose the Heat there was no way to spin the announcement to appease people.

---

Of course there would be backlash no matter what. But this 1 hour special puts him in a class that has never, ever been seen before - doing it via this special is something that will be remembered forever not only by Cle fans but all NBA fans. This special is going to be a ****stain in his career underwear.

It doesn't matter that there would have been backlash anyway. It doesn't matter that a press conference would have been held anyway (with substance that probably wouldn't have been much different). Laying it out via his own official special is something that will always be remembered and establishes a new standard of what many folks view as "what is wrong with pro sports". He cemented himself as the poster boy.

[This message has been edited by Danny Duberstein (edited 7/8/2010 9:33p).]

quote:

---

he was going to get killed by the media/fans whatever he did

---

so i guess his team made the calculation that if he's going to be the bad guy, he might as well be lex luthor

that's smart