Above is would-be Internet superstar Jordan Crawford talking about the facial he laid on King James at the Lebron James Skills Academy Monday.
For those of you who missed the story yesterday, Crawford, a 6-foot-4 guard who plays for Xavier, threw down a nasty dunk on the head of LeBron at James' academy. Several cameramen filmed the "incident," but LeBron had Nike seize all video evidence of the posterization in an effort to hide his shame. (For more info on the tomfoolery, check out my blog from yesterday.)
The LeBron/Nike camp is now claiming they confiscated the tape because the cameramen at the event violated the academy's established "no videotaping" policy. If you buy that, I have a cashier's check from a Nigerian prince I'd like you to cash.
Here's Nike's official statement:
"Nike has been operating basketball camps for the benefit of young athletes for decades and has longstanding policies in place regarding what events are open and closed to media coverage. Unfortunately, for the first time in four years, two journalists did not respect our "no videotaping" policy at an after hours pick-up game Monday evening following the LeBron James Skills Academy."
Did I miss the coup, people? Did Nike and King James overthrow our democracy and replace it with their own Kim Jong Il fascist autocracy? Should we all be acknowledging our reverence for Supreme Leader James daily?
If you are going to start seizing video and controlling the media, you might as well go all the way. (Is there still time to get a copyright for a giant rabbit-skinned low mid?)
body
Dude, let it GO, already. We know it's July and the sports journalism pickin's are a little slim right now, but Jeez... if there's a written "no videotaping" policy, that's the end of it. Period. It wouldn't matter if the footage was of a camper flying through the air, doing a Triple Lindy over Bron-Bron's head, and dunking with one hand while translating Cicero with the other... or footage of a different camper picking his nose on the bench. Either way, no one was allowed there with a video camera.
body
I am sick of athletes who think they can change the rules and or make them up as they go. As far as LeBron goes, hey, there's always going to be a challenger to your game, always someone who will eventually knock you off your self imposed throne. If I could say anything to Mr. James I would tell him to man-up and admit this kid is another phenom, just like you were, not that long ago. Mr. James should take the high moral road and show the tape and be proud of the kid who we will hopefully be cheering for in the NBA in the future. Of course, asking some athletes to take a high moral stance would be like asking fish not to swim. It aint gonna happen unfortunately, for all of us. Mr. James could show himself to be a bigger man than just his physical height, however, I am not going to hold my breath.
body
I think what happened after the playoffs this year we all learned what level of maturaty Lebron is at. He's still yound and has a lot of growing up to do.
body
Whether you think it's fair or not, that's probably the reason they have a no videotaping policy - to protect egos. Guess who's not goint to be invited back to next year's academy?
body
First off Nike has the contract with Lebron and if their contract indicates that videotaping of games and training sessions is prohibited then they have every right to confiscate the tape.
Secondly, I doubt very much that Lebron even cares that Jordon dunked on him....it's basketball...this happens to even the very best players in the world. I would wager that if you looked hard enough you could find a video of someone dunking on MJ, Kobe or any other NBA superstar! What's the big deal?
body
EGO. First, I am a girl...I luved playing growing up. I respect Lebron as an athlete, he has skills. Luv him for that. Can I say EGO...a college kid slammed on you, get over yourself. Why do these camps to help kids if when you show up & they out dunk you, you take it to the heart...it's alright Lebron it was only a game and you out of all people should know this.
body
I am not surprised. I have always thought of him as a thug and an uneducated one at that. What kind of parent does not stress how important an education is? He goes from high school to the NBA with no education, no chance to grow up. He is just being a brat. Nike is lying about this no videotaping rule, if it did exist - they would have forced them to stop taping before they starting dunking or not allowed the cameras in the gym.
body
Years ago Connie Hawkins, (who was still banned from the NBA), dunked on Wilt Chamberlain, (who was the most dominant player on earth at the time) during the Rucker Tournament. Wilt got so angry that he went berserk on Hawkins dunking the ball on him several times and made the "Hawk" look bad. Even Connie Hawkins stated in his book that he wished he had never embarrassed Wilt like that. There were no cameras at this event but I wish there were. LeBron, by his actions just made his video a classic. Even if it is never seen, it is now the stuff of legend and basketball folklore just like the story above.
