Since they've also fawned over Yao the last 2 months too, I can find it in my heart to forgive them. p.s. Is your moniker named after the newsreader or are you that desperate to find a team to give you a contract?
They also bashed Yao 3 months ago. But you bring up an interesting point: Do the Yao haters, who aren't Rockets fans, root against Yao because of the hype? That's how I feel about Lebron. No real reason for my moniker.
Yao has a good PR strategy whereas James has no strategy whatsoever. That'll go miles when dealing w/public opinion.
Two point son this: 1. Lebron (theretically) is not a pro yet, so he doesn't exactlly have a team (including pr people working around him) 2. Like many young athletes Lebron speaks his mind more than some of the preceding generations, which tends to get many young athletes in trouble. Yao is from a different culture where being outspoken is not as approved of. But just give LeBron a few months and I'm sure you will see a PR machine that is very comparable to theat of MJ.
I remember a few years ago when Duke was playing N. Carolina and Dickie screamed "OHHHH! OHHHH! THAT"S THE BEST DEFENSIVE PLAY YOU'LL EVER SEE BAY-BEEEEEEEEE!" when Shane Battier simply blocked a shot. As a Terp fan, it's %$@#ing annoying.
ESPN does like to build guys up that's why they hire Dicky Vitale is. vitale calls almost every high school/college players as ppt or diaper dandies.
