Coffee Talk #174: LeBron James’ One-Hour ESPN Spectacular

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Posted by raymond padilla on 8 July 2010 124 Comments

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the American Idol tour failing to sell tickets, Bobbi Eden’s World Cup oral sex challenge, or Stumptown’s Guatemala Finca El Injerto, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

People are torn about LeBron James announcing his “big decision” on a one-hour television-special on ESPN. Some feel that it’s a brilliant move that takes advantage of modern media. Others feel that it’s a disgustingly egotistical move, despite the advertising proceeds going to charity. Should a player with seven years of NBA experience and zero championship rings be making that big a deal of himself?

Then there’s Kevin Durant, who gave James’ detractors another talking point by announcing his sizable contract extension with a simple Twitter post. Yeah, the situations are very different, but the contrast can’t be denied.

Personally, I think LeBron is making himself look like a knob; making a spectacle out of his employment decision seems callous when so many Americans can’t find jobs. How do you feel about ESPN’s LeBron James Free Agency Summer Spectacular? Is it sheer genius or a dick move?

Posted by raymond padilla   @   8 July 2010 124 comments
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124 Comments

Comments

What other all-time great athletes have bolted to other franchises in order to win? The only guy I can think of off the top of my head is A-Rod. As amazingly talented as he is, his reputation has taken a hit for not being a winner on his own terms. People view him as talented but soft, with Derek Jeter being the real winner on the team.

What other all-time great athletes have sunk a fanbase as thoroughly as LeBron? I think he's tops in that category. As a wrestling fan, the heel turn was amazingly thorough.

smartguy says:

@Ray

Weak argument that Shaq did that to Orlando. Though I could be mistaken about those circumstances.

@smartguy That wasn't an argument. That was a question. Shaq did it twice. A-Rod also comes to mind.

smartguy says:

@Ray

My communication fails lol. I meant my Shaq example might be weak. Not sure if he ruined that franchise.

Iceman says:

Wow, I'm really enjoying the comments on this thread, guys.

I respectfully remove myself from the discussion since I may be somewhat biased at this point.

-M

N8R says:

@ Nightshade

Sports fan, schmorts fan.

He should know that if he's gonna comment on the internet with something that's not 100% accurate, that someone is gonna call him on it.

N8R says:

@ Ray

What about Wade Boggs?

@smartguy You're right about Shaq not ruining the franchise. It's not like he grew up in Orlando. That part of LeBron leaving is tough to match. It's hard to think of homegrown athletes — that grew up in the town AND in the franchise — that mean so much.

Big Blak says:

Just picked up EDF 2017, The Orange Box, and Split/Second, I'm not ballin' the former two are used and traded in UFC 2010, I just couldn't get into it and I really wanted to. I really enjoyed the demo for Split/Second and I keep hearing about TF2 and I never finished Portal. Only thing that sucks is that I have a dentist appointment bright and early tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to that at all, so I can't even stay up late and enjoy my new toys……or can I….?

smartguy says:

of course you can. do it.

thundercracker says:

"i ve always been a heat fan"

get used to hearing that

Nightshade386 says:

There was a discussion on the local sports talk radio out here about "who's else is as hated in their old cites as LeBron is in Cleveland." The only good examples anyone else could come up with were owners who moved teams. Jim Irsay, Bud Adams, Peter Karmanos, Art Modell….etc. Players weren't really even a part of the discussion.

@Nightshade386 Isiah Thomas grew up in Chicago. He was hated there during the Pistons/Bulls battles in the late '80s and early '90s. Now he's hated by most sports fans. *joke* Zeke will always be my fifth-favorite Piston in the Bad Boys era.

bsukenyan says:

@Big Blak

TF2 is awesome…let me know when you play that sometime and we can team up and take some people out. TF2 and Portal are worth buying TOB just by themselves, I can't really even get in to Half-Life 2.

Iceman says:

@ Thundercracker;

I've always been a Heat fan.

Seriously.

@ Bsukenyan;

If you get TF2 on Steam (PC), I'll be happy to join you. That game is much better with friends. I usually like to run around like a chicken with its balls cut off as a medic or pyro (sometimes as an engineer or solder if I'm feeling particularly bold).

-M

thundercracker says:

@iceman

you dont count, im talking about people outside of florida

@thundercracker I support the Heat's coach because he's Filipino-American, but I doubt he'll have the job after the all-star break. Any bets?

thundercracker says:

he'll keep the job as long as he's winning, i really dont see pat riley coming back this year

Iceman says:

Pat Riley is an ego maniac. I think he'll come back if he think he can't keep his ego in check.

@ Mr. Padilla;

Erik is Filipino? Really? He looks Cuban to me. Then again…

-M

Trackbacks

  1. Coffee Talk #176: Your Favorite Heel Turn | RPad.TV -- Raymond Padilla & friends talk games and geek culture
  2. What Will Happen When LeBron James Returns to Cleveland? | RPad.TV -- Raymond Padilla & friends talk games and geek culture
  3. Coffee Talk #266: Your Favorite Sports Moment of 2010 | RPad.TV -- Raymond Padilla & friends talk games and geek culture

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