You guys act like this happened in a vacuum and he just blurted this out.
He was asked whether it was right that he wasn't the highest paid player in the NBA when he is league MVP. The above quote taken out of context was his answer. How else is he supposed to answer?
You guys act like this happened in a vacuum and he just blurted this out.
He was asked whether it was right that he wasn't the highest paid player in the NBA when he is league MVP. The above quote taken out of context was his answer. How else is he supposed to answer?
How 'bout, "I make plenty of money and am blessed to be where I am at in life in ways more important than my bank account balance. Others are not near as fortunate so I just do not feel comfortable expressing to my NBA fans that I am in any way feeling shortchanged."
Lebron is seriously underpaid. It's not smart though to say it publicly. The public is generally stupid, emotional, and can only see the world through their perspective. Logically your money situation has nothing to do with Lebrons worth. The public doesn't understand finance and business and relates everything to their life. They see themselves makin 50k and struggling so whether you are an underpaid millionaire doesn't register at all, it's just an out of touch rich person complaining. They are unable to separate the truth. So don't say it at all, and just give cliches and play to the emotionally stupidity
Lebron is seriously underpaid. It's not smart though to say it publicly. The public is generally stupid, emotional, and can only see the world through their perspective. Logically your money situation has nothing to do with Lebrons worth. The public doesn't understand finance and business and relates everything to their life. They see themselves makin 50k and struggling so whether you are an underpaid millionaire doesn't register at all, it's just an out of touch rich person complaining. They are unable to separate the truth. So don't say it at all, and just give cliches and play to the emotionally stupidity
REP! The "He makes more money than me, he should be happy with what he has" argument is so stupid. He isn't a replaceable peon at an insurance company, he's the best basketball player in the world. Although I guess Robert Horry is better than him, according to some posters' arguments, with his 7 RANGZ and all.
I do not care how much lebron makes. But when he uses the whole "its not about the money" line when he signs he sbould have said the same thing when asked the question.
He c ould have answered..... The money isnt important. I make plenty. What is important is playing with a great team, winning championships, and becoming the best ever.
Had he answered something along those lines he would have gained a lot of respect those that were miffed by how he left cleveland and miami and the general public. It is all a pr move.
REP! The "He makes more money than me, he should be happy with what he has" argument is so stupid. He isn't a replaceable peon at an insurance company, he's the best basketball player in the world. Although I guess Robert Horry is better than him, according to some posters' arguments, with his 7 RANGZ and all.
He's not replaceable as a basketball player but it is absolutely ridiculous to whine about not being paid more for a game. I know it's supply/demand driven why they're able to make so much but when teachers and firemen etc, people that have a real impact on society, are making in a year what he makes in a game, I feel no sympathy for him.
Lebron is seriously underpaid. It's not smart though to say it publicly. The public is generally stupid, emotional, and can only see the world through their perspective. Logically your money situation has nothing to do with Lebrons worth. The public doesn't understand finance and business and relates everything to their life. They see themselves makin 50k and struggling so whether you are an underpaid millionaire doesn't register at all, it's just an out of touch rich person complaining. They are unable to separate the truth. So don't say it at all, and just give cliches and play to the emotionally stupidity
Well said. EVERYTHING in life is relative. I'm sure folks in Haiti would roll their eyes to hear blue collar Joe complaining about the price of his health insurance and depleted 401K. Does this mean Joe is suddenly out of touch?
I really can't argue with him. NBA stars carry the league and make a ton of profit for crappy owners like the Memphis Grizzlies. Players like Wade, Lebron, and Kobe would make a TON more if compensated for their value.
I do not care how much lebron makes. But when he uses the whole "its not about the money" line when he signs he sbould have said the same thing when asked the question.
He c ould have answered..... The money isnt important. I make plenty. What is important is playing with a great team, winning championships, and becoming the best ever.
Had he answered something along those lines he would have gained a lot of respect those that were miffed by how he left cleveland and miami and the general public. It is all a pr move.
I disagree. Those who hate LeBron for leaving Cleveland are never going to change their opinion about him. Had he said the above, his critics would dismiss the comments as trite, cliched drivel. LeBron has said similar things (as have so many athletes) about being blessed and lucky quite often. That doesn't mean he can't look at Joe Johnson and say "dude, I don't get paid enough!"
I disagree. Those who hate LeBron for leaving Cleveland are never going to change their opinion about him. Had he said the above, his critics would dismiss the comments as trite, cliched drivel. LeBron has said similar things (as have so many athletes) about being blessed and lucky quite often. That doesn't mean he can't look at Joe Johnson and say "dude, I don't get paid enough!"
Not all comments are appropriate in all situations, even if they are true. Those comments he made were appropriate for the negotiating meeting. Doesn't matter if a reporter asked him or not. I don't think it would kill him if some talking heads criticized him for being trite. Who cares about them anyway? Isn't what he does on the court the most important thing?
Not all comments are appropriate in all situations, even if they are true. Those comments he made were appropriate for the negotiating meeting. Doesn't matter if a reporter asked him or not. I don't think it would kill him if some talking heads criticized him for being trite. Who cares about them anyway? Isn't what he does on the court the most important thing?
So you want your athletes and sports personalities to speak in cliche's? Just in case they might offend someone?
You must love Bill Belichick press conferences. Conversely, you must hate Steve Spurrier pressers and interviews.
Lebron started the " it isnt about the money" scenario when he signed with miami. It worked for bim Tv and radio personalities quoted it over and over. People bought into the idea Lebron was really just looking for some rings. It looks and sounds bad for him now come out and say he isnt bad his fair share. He got his ring....according to him he should be happy.
So you want your athletes and sports personalities to speak in cliche's? Just in case they might offend someone?
You must love Bill Belichick press conferences. Conversely, you must hate Steve Spurrier pressers and interviews.
Nope...I like it when they say what they actually feel. That still doesn't make the substance of what they say anymore inteligent or appropriate for the situation.....
So you want your athletes and sports personalities to speak in cliche's? Just in case they might offend someone?
You must love Bill Belichick press conferences. Conversely, you must hate Steve Spurrier pressers and interviews.
WTF do I care what they say to the media? I don't hang on their every word like you must. Sports personalities? They have importance in your life? I suspect you will out grow that some day.
Just by your response I can tell you are all for offending people, even when you don't need to for any practical reason.
Do I "love Bill Belichick press conferences?" That's really very funny. I have never even thought about that. It's a totally absurd notion to me.
Attaching "love" and "hate" to sports personality press conferences makes you an absurd person.
Lebron started the " it isnt about the money" scenario when he signed with miami. It worked for bim Tv and radio personalities quoted it over and over. People bought into the idea Lebron was really just looking for some rings. It looks and sounds bad for him now come out and say he isnt bad his fair share. He got his ring....according to him he should be happy.
Did he say he wasn't happy?
I suppose it's likely that at some point LeBron said "it isn't about the money" in reference to him (and Wade and Bosh) taking less than max salary, but I don't recall a lot of focus on the quote or that tv and radio personalities were quoting it over and over. And, I watched The Decision and follow NBA media reports fairly regularly. Yes, I've heard plenty of references to the fact that the Heat's Big Three took less than max, but don't recall anything about this quote from LeBron.
LeBron needs to do his detractors a big favor and do something we all can agree is really bad!
I guess I just don't understand why anyone would think that guys playing basketball making $17MM a year, in this economy especially, should be getting "credit" for taking less. That's what peaves me about Lebron's interview.
Relative to players making more than him, yes, he is undervalued, but don't expect people, especially the average fan, to give you "credit" for anything other than being the best basketball player on the planet. Most everyone would agree with that statement? What more does the guy want?
Billy Hunter gave back 7% of revenues in the new CBA. The players agreed to it collectively. Lebron agreed to him contract. What the hell else does the guy want?
There was a guy who said something about being a replaceable peon insurance guy. I'm not an insurance guy, but that comment irks me, completely. Doctors don't make as much as many NBA players, but it doesn't diminish their importance to society.
Perhaps the better question that should be discussed is, why have we allowed sports to become so important in our culture, much like music and entertainers? Why do they dominate our culture so much to where we care what a guy like Lebron James is saying?
My life perspective and priorities changed significantly when I got married and became a dad. I used to yell and scream at the TV whenever UF would play. Hell, I missed my high school graduation to see the Magic play game 1 against Houston in the NBA Finals.
Now, most of the UF games get DVRd or I might even miss a game here and there and the NBA gets watched as a passing afterthought if I can't fall asleep after a long day. I like to frequent these boards to have a good dialogue with fellow Gator fans about our teams and get info that others graciously take the time to research and share.
I'm not saying that people who live for sports are wrong, but in the grand scheme of life, I find it perplexing as to why someone defends a guy like Lebron who cares so much about who is giving him credit for taking a little less money. I think he gets plenty of love from the world in general and when you complain about stuff like this, whether you are or not, it comes off as very self centered and needy.
WTF do I care what they say to the media? I don't hang on their every word like you must. Sports personalities? They have importance in your life? I suspect you will out grow that some day.
Just by your response I can tell you are all for offending people, even when you don't need to for any practical reason.
Do I "love Bill Belichick press conferences?" That's really very funny. I have never even thought about that. It's a totally absurd notion to me.
Attaching "love" and "hate" to sports personality press conferences makes you an absurd person.
You obviously do care about what athletes say to the media since you are opining on his comments. And it's pretty ironic that someone who's posted as often as you have on a sports message board is so dismissive of "sports personalities" having any significance in your life.
I have been consistent throughout this thread defending an athlete's right to speak his mind without people hanging on his every word and taking offense to pretty benign comments. But yeah, you're right. I am completely absurd.
You obviously do care about what athletes say to the media since you are opining on his comments. And it's pretty ironic that someone who's posted as often as you have on a sports message board is so dismissive of "sports personalities" having any significance in your life.
I have been consistent throughout this thread defending an athlete's right to speak his mind without people hanging on his every word and taking offense to pretty benign comments. But yeah, you're right. I am completely absurd.
In fact I do not care what LBJ says to the media. I opined that not all statements are appropriate for every situation regardless if they are true. I stand by that.
I am not dismissive of athletes. But I am dismissive of attaching importance to what they tell the media.
In fact you are absurd for caring so much about Bill Belichick press conferences and for assuming that I do as well. I stand by that too.
Finally I don't see why you needed to make this personal just because my opinion differed from yours.
In fact I do not care what LBJ says to the media. I opined that not all statements are appropriate for every situation regardless if they are true. I stand by that.
I am not dismissive of athletes. But I am dismissive of attaching importance to what they tell the media.
In fact you are absurd for caring so much about Bill Belichick press conferences and for assuming that I do as well. I stand by that too.
Finally I don't see why you needed to make this personal just because my opinion differed from yours.
This is comical and a classic case of projection. You accuse me of liking to offend people and call me an absurd person...yet I am the one who made it personal?!?! This whole thread is bizarro if you ask me.