So anyone who leaves in free agency (aka "betraying the team that drafted and developed" him is an *******? I guess almost every NBA player is an *******. Players get traded without notification all the time; players leave without notification all the time (as a Clipper fan, both Odom & Brand did exactly what LeBron did sans special but noone is crucifying them). This is only an issue because LeBron is the best player in the NBA and people want to hold him down by constantly pointing to what was nothing more than a normal free agency decision that was hyped in a douchey manner. Even if he had done it without the "decision" tons of people would have bashed him for leaving that pathetic squad he had in Cleveland (which never would have won a title). Also, the only reason the Cavs were a "contender team"was because of LeBron, so that argument is kind of stupid.
both lebron and kg are the biggest douches in the NBA.. screw them both.. hope they injure each other
If I recall correctly, Brand actually recruited a fellow player (Baron Davis) to join the Clippers, then bailed after he had signed his deal. That's a lot worse than "The Decision" IMO.
Yeah, we were pretty pissed at the time since he had given no indication that he was planning on leaving. Odom was the same way-- he actually said he wanted to spend his career with the team and change the culture, but then bolted at first opportunity. Of course no one gives a crap because 1) it's the Clippers and 2) neither guy is a marquee player. When LeBron-- the best player in the NBA-- does something douchey, it has to stick with him for life.
clippy, I'm not sure what your point is exactly. My initial comment was expressing how it was hard to believe there could be a scenario where I'd be rooting so heavily for the Celtics in a playoff series. You're not breaking any news by telling me about KG, I just think the Miami situation is leaps and bounds worse.
Right, and I'm asking you to rationalize that. I don't particularly care about LeBron, but I can respect that he's been the best player in the league for many years. If the only bad thing he ever does in this league is have an inflated ego and hold unnecessary press conferences, then he's doing pretty good. The bottom line is that "the decision" really amounted to a perfectly valid free agency, nothing worse than what Brand & Odom did to the Clippers, Shaq to the Magic, and what Paul, Howard, etc. are going to be doing soon. Contrast this with KG, who is actually one of my favorite players in the league but is a world class douchebag on the court (you can youtube dozens of videos of his douchebaggery, such as taunting Bayless & Calderon, calling Villanueva a cancer patient, and so forth). It just doesn't make sense that you'd call the Miami situation "leaps and bounds" worse unless you have an internal bias.
that's a good point.. I didnt know who i wanted to win since these are currently my two most hated teams.. but you are right.. KG's is such a huge douchebag and such an ass that I am going to root for the heat
I hate KG as much as anyone.. he's made fun of smaller players, trashed talked, taunted inside the court all for his team not really for himself in the decision and the months leading up to it, lebron pretty much made fun of, trashed, and taunted a whole city or even a state for his own ego.. then announcing even before the season started that they gonna win 7 'ships pretty much made fun of, trashed, and taunted the whole league again for his own ego
damn it.. you are right...that is a good point also.. I hope the court explodes and takes both teams out.. Oh well I am rooting for the Bulls to come out of the East.. that is a team I can get behind
I'm rooting for the bulls as well.. drose seems to be as humble as good as he is.. he'll probably change who do you think is an easier match for the bulls? celts or heat?
I don't know how much Brand had to do with Baron deciding to join LA. To me it seemed like he just wanted to be closer to his hollywood friends, and he played like that was the case for his entire la clipper career. Plus, Brand ended up being as overpaid as Davis. Let's just say Brand did the Clippers a huge favor by not signing with them. They ended up with Griffin. Hindsight Brand deciding to bail was one of the best things to happen to the franchise.
Agreed. My point is that even though Brand's "betrayal" was, at best, equivalent to LeBron's (and arguably much worse), he hasn't been nearly as crucified by the media and fans. And it's not even like what Brand (and LeBron) did is all that rare-- like I said, anytime a big name enters free agency you get this kind of stuff. There is no loyalty in the NBA anymore. But because LeBron is the top player in the league, people want to hate on him. I mean, maybe it's just me, but raping a chick, snitching on teammates, making disparaging remarks about teammates... these all seem worse than what LeBron did, yet one guy is revered and one guy is hated.
Justify it anyways you want. Brand is not Lebron, his team didn't have the best record for two years in a row in which he won two MVP's. If he didn't go to Miami he's still the best player in the league, you think people would still hate on him? You are only defending Lebron because you want people to hate Kobe the most, which is ridiculous. What Lebron did has nothing to do with Kobe.
Seriously, the double-standard is ridiculous. It's like the only way LeBron will ever be respected is if he wins a title as the only good player on his team. Kobe had Shaq, MJ had Pippen, LeBron had ... Mo Williams. GTFO.
You can change teams, you can notice your team earlier so they don't end up with nothing, you can be like Melo and make it clear you want to leave so you don't leave your team in a shambles, you can also hold a one hour ESPN special during the last week of free agency to tell your hometown fans (which he promised he will deliver a ring to) you are not signing with them.
