Couldnt Lebron have man-ed up and actually spoke in the press conference?

[kozlodoev]

I do understand why he didn't stick around.  I mean the Magic were mocking the Cavs and their 'photo' pre-game ritual after the game.  I wouldn't stick around for that either

The Cavs mocked themselves with this clown act. This is the NBA, not a drama school. If they want to go into pantomime, there are loads of open spots on the sidewalk at Harvard Square.

[crownsy]

I do understand why he didn't stick around.  I mean the Magic were mocking the Cavs and their 'photo' pre-game ritual after the game.  I wouldn't stick around for that either

The Cavs mocked themselves with this clown act. This is the NBA, not a drama school. If they want to go into pantomime, there are loads of open spots on the sidewalk at Harvard Square.

How is this different than our player intro's where we do elaborately choreographed handshakes and shooting poses, or KG's 5 minute ritual pre game again, just as a devils advocate?

(in reality I agree the photo thing was over the top, but to me, every team does something like this, curious as to why the cavs get singled out)

[jambr380]

I am glad there are a number of people who disagree with the subject of this post. LeBron wasn't being an ****, he was just upset. People freak out about sportsmanship these days- like it was just a game. To him, it was much more than a game. It was a test that he failed with himself. He let a lot of people down and he didn't want to stick around and pretend everything was cool, because it wasn't.

I personally would have handled it the exact same way. I am not saying that if you congratulate the other team and give the postgame interview that you don't care...people just have different ways of dealing with things. I am sure he respects the Magic's effort- he just REALLY wanted to beat them and didn't...

[Thruthelookingglass]

and how about him showing up for interviews today wearing a Yankees hat?

Never a good idea for anyone.  Under any circumstances.

[crownsy]

and how about him showing up for interviews today wearing a Yankees hat?

dead issue, he always wears a yankee's cap, they are his favorite baseball team since HS.

[nickagneta]

and how about him showing up for interviews today wearing a Yankees hat?

I would be more concerned if he showed up wearing a Knick's hat. We've been down the whole "LeBron's a front running lover of other sports" discussion before and we all know LeBron wears Yankees hats.

[angryguy77]

I do understand why he didn't stick around.  I mean the Magic were mocking the Cavs and their 'photo' pre-game ritual after the game.  I wouldn't stick around for that either

He said if you dont like our antics then do somwthing about it. Well the magic did do something about it and he acted like a baby. Be a man tell the other team good job and leave. Its what people are taught to do in sports since they were kids. He is the face of the team and should act like the leader that he was made out to be. He needed to be there for his teammates and coaches and he left w/o a word. Sure the rest of his team was mia but thats no excuse.

[MMacOH]

I do understand why he didn't stick around.  I mean the Magic were mocking the Cavs and their 'photo' pre-game ritual after the game.  I wouldn't stick around for that either

He said if you dont like our antics then do somwthing about it. Well the magic did do something about it and he acted like a baby. Be a man tell the other team good job and leave. Its what people are taught to do in sports since they were kids. He is the face of the team and should act like the leader that he was made out to be. He needed to be there for his teammates and coaches and he left w/o a word. Sure the rest of his team was mia but thats no excuse.

He spoke with his team after the game and congratulated the Magic after the game as well.  He probably doesn't storm off again if the Cavs lose another playoff series, but it is still not a big deal to me.  Of course you think it is a big deal, you hate the Cavs and Lebron

[hpantazo]

I do understand why he didn't stick around.  I mean the Magic were mocking the Cavs and their 'photo' pre-game ritual after the game.  I wouldn't stick around for that either

He said if you dont like our antics then do somwthing about it. Well the magic did do something about it and he acted like a baby. Be a man tell the other team good job and leave. Its what people are taught to do in sports since they were kids. He is the face of the team and should act like the leader that he was made out to be. He needed to be there for his teammates and coaches and he left w/o a word. Sure the rest of his team was mia but thats no excuse.

He spoke with his team after the game and congratulated the Magic after the game as well.  He probably doesn't storm off again if the Cavs lose another playoff series, but it is still not a big deal to me.  Of course you think it is a big deal, you hate the Cavs and Lebron

I don't think that is the point. You are being a little too defensive about the cavs and lebron. If Pierce had done the same thing I would be upset with him. In fact, when Pierce put on the neckbrace after being ejected against the pacers a few years a go in a loss, I was disgusted. Maturity and sportsmanship are a "big deal", just ask the olympics committee.

[housecall]

Has anyone ever thought about maybe it was best he didn't approach the Magic with what was on his head at that moment.Some people need time to let things(bad)absorb,and its best they stay silent in the beginning.He might have said some things to D.Howard at the first instant that could have messed up what i think is a off the court friendship.

This is not meant as any excuses for LBJ not giving the Magic congrats but as long as he gives it to them at some point,what matters if its instant all the time.Im not an LBJ apologist by any means but i try to understand both sides of people.

Haven't you ever been so shocked,****ed,and probably embarrassed that you want to disappear?

[silverb]

i know why....

he was busy taking more pictures...



 
 

[Bankshot]

Has anyone ever thought about maybe it was best he didn't approach the Magic with what was on his head at that moment.Some people need time to let things(bad)absorb,and its best they stay silent in the beginning.He might have said some things to D.Howard at the first instant that could have messed up what i think is a off the court friendship.

This is not meant as any excuses for LBJ not giving the Magic congrats but as long as he gives it to them at some point,what matters if its instant all the time.Im not an LBJ apologist by any means but i try to understand both sides of people.

Haven't you ever been so shocked,****ed,and probably embarrassed that you want to disappear?

No, because he didn't have to utter a single word.  Just shake a hand.

[silverb]

and its not like there is bad blood between these two teams like Chicago vs Detroit, or Knicks vs Bulls back in the 90s...

This game is about sportmanship...and he goes on to say that when someone beats you up you don't congratulate him....Man, even in UFC and boxing they kiss and hug after the fight.

Its funny how he described how much of a sore loser he is and then says "thats not being a sore loser"

[RAcker]

I do understand why he didn't stick around.  I mean the Magic were mocking the Cavs and their 'photo' pre-game ritual after the game.  I wouldn't stick around for that either

He said if you dont like our antics then do somwthing about it. Well the magic did do something about it and he acted like a baby. Be a man tell the other team good job and leave. Its what people are taught to do in sports since they were kids. He is the face of the team and should act like the leader that he was made out to be. He needed to be there for his teammates and coaches and he left w/o a word. Sure the rest of his team was mia but thats no excuse.

He spoke with his team after the game and congratulated the Magic after the game as well.  He probably doesn't storm off again if the Cavs lose another playoff series, but it is still not a big deal to me.  Of course you think it is a big deal, you hate the Cavs and Lebron

I don't think that is the point. You are being a little too defensive about the cavs and lebron. If Pierce had done the same thing I would be upset with him. In fact, when Pierce put on the neckbrace after being ejected against the pacers a few years a go in a loss, I was disgusted. Maturity and sportsmanship are a "big deal", just ask the olympics committee.

Exactly.  A lot of us ripped open a new one for Paul after that and we still talk about it today as an example of how he has grown up a good deal since then.

[Big Ticket]

I personally don't have a problem with what he did.  I know those guys have an "obligation" to the media and the fans and what not, but I see no reason why that has to be realized immediately.  Nobody on this board, and few people in this world, can truly understand what he went through, both physically and mentally, over the course of the last game, series, season, etc.  These are the most competitive 0.00001% of the population going all out in front of millions of people... I don't always expect them to be able to immediately muster up the poise to give a dissertation to the media.  Besides, it's probably the worst time to get a reaction from someone on the losing end.  Give him a chance to sleep on it if he wants and leave it alone.