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Reactions Many at fault for LeBron James' situationPosted: Tuesday February 04, 2003 11:35 AMCNNSI.com's Stewart Mandel and B. Duane Cross went Head2Head over the LeBron James situation. Here's what users had to say:
You'd think that after enduring an investigation under the same rule of the OHSAA a mere week or two ago, he'd have known not to accept anything for free. If he's so determined to help his school and his teammates win that state championship, he should wait until he's a pro to start accepting gifts. All he's doing is hurting his teammates. He's still going to be a millionaire the day he's drafted, while his teammates don't have that luxury.
Rules are rules, buddy. I don't agree with driving 55 but I know it's the law and I might get a ticket at 56. Of course he's to blame. It's just another case of complete lack of personal responsibility.
Everyone is always pointing fingers at the person who accepts the gifts or the money. When are the people who are given the money going to be held to the same standard. This young ball player who has never had anything but the gift to play the game should be punished because someone with money to burn wants to make more at this young kids expense. No, I'm not saying he was right for taken anything that was given to him, but he isn't the only one wrong. Tell Nike they can't sell anymore shoes this year, and it will seem fair to me for you to tell James he can't play anymore this year.
The punishment doesn't seem to fit the "crime." "One strike and you're out" is unfair. If he gives back the jerseys and apologizes, a one- or two-game suspension should suffice. Even though he has been pushing the envelope of acceptable behavior, it has been with plenty of encouragement, including from school officials. The whole thing is unseemly, and I for one refuse to watch any nationally televised high school games.
The dude knew all the stuff he was taking was wrong. He obviously watches a lot of ESPN, and had heard all the talk. He is, according to the media, bright enough to understand his situation. The world is at his beck and call. People all around him realize that if they get close enough, they can ride his coattails. The fact is, he didn't care. He enjoys the Hummer, and the spotlight, and so do his teammates. He is suffering punishment worthy of the crime. Punish the offender, not his teammates. Maybe the NCAA can figure out that you need to punish the perpetrators, not the freshman class that did no wrong.
The whole scenario is a load of crap, in reality the jerseys are only worth what it cost to make them. Because someone who is "famous" wore them only makes them valuable to a select few. Everyone knows that EVERY athlete in high school who performs at an "all-star" level gets the "treatment" and NONE of them would be eligible if they were ALL put under the microscope. The real issue should be about LeBron the student. If he has performed in the classroom then he should be allowed to perform in the gym. As far as I know anyone can receive a tax-free gift of $10,000 with no penalty. Treating LeBron different because of his basketball skills demonstrates the hypocrisy of high school athletic associations.
No kid that age is going to turn down luxury items thrown at him. I blame his mother for buying into the hype. She should be telling him to go to college and get his education first. But if you've never had anything and you know this is your meal ticket out of poverty, most of us would take it. There are a lot of us black, single mothers that would have definitely made a different choice. I would have opted for my child to continue his education, first and foremost.
I've seen LeBron James play twice, at Gund Arena and the Cleveland State Convocation Center. He is the real deal as far as basketball skills go, but as for character, that's another story. He, and his crazed mother, are totally at fault for all of the negative publicity. It personally makes me happy to see that he can't play, it's a good reality check for both him and his teammates. I don't care how good he is, he has to play by the rules. He couldn't have waited two more months when it doesn't matter anymore? He constantly claims he's a team player, and on the court he is, but off the court he does nothing but put himself in the spotlight. Not all of this is his fault; but the chest thumping, ranting, and raving are totally unneccesary. Now because he couldn't wait another two months he will cost his team and school a national championship, and possibly their third state title. LeBron James is an 18-year-old teenager still in school. Why would he think that it's wrong to accept jerseys given to him as a reward for good grades? Children are quite often rewarded for getting good grades, from family and friends, why should LeBron be any different. He has not signed with anybody to go anywhere, so what is the harm. Could it be that people see this young African American Male as actually doing something positive with his life given the circumstances he grew up in, and want to put him down for this? This is a new day and a new era and the world needs to wake up and smell the coffee. It's okay for his school to make money off of him and they weren't sanctioned so why take it out on LeBron. While I don't exactly agree with the fact that an 18-year-old needs a $90,000 vehicle, I see nothing wrong with him having the vehicle of his choice if he can get it. It is not unusual for teenagers to have their own vehicles, parents, or should I say some parents, purchase and some teenagers work and purchase their own vehicles at the age of sixteen, or as soon as they can get their license.
What is all the hype, leave this child alone and let him be the child that he is. It's the media and the school that's causing all the hype, not LeBron he just wants to play ball to the best of his ability so I say LET HIM PLAY BALL, for preferably after a year or two of college.
Coming from a reservation, where there is poverty everywhere you look, I know what Lebron James is going through. Here you have a basketball star rising from the ghetto. He never had any money all his life, until now. He has a god-given ability to make people dream. They dream wishing he was him. Now that's inspiration, so let him be. If he wants to take money and gifts, let him take it and learn from it. If it's a bad decision or good decision, he will look back on his life and say 'I made that decision.' Sounds like to me, there are just a lot of jealous people out there, wishing to be black and gifted. Just like there a lot of people wishing they were Native American, because we have culture and tradition, and pride. Coming from an equally low-income community and also having a rare talent to play basketball at the collegiate level, I have seen first hand what exploitation can do to an individual who has lived a deprived lifestyle. Most of the people who say that James should be punished for his actions will more than likely be the same individuals who grew up in a well-provided-for family living in suburban America. These same people that are so quick to judge are also the same people who do not, have not dealt, and never will have to deal with the grim reality of living and interacting in an environment where poverty is prevalent and being under-privileged is the norm. James didn't have the privilege of growing up in a two-parent household. And, by personal account of his own, his mother exhibited behavior that would deem her as not being fit of a nurturing parent. My point is this, if I grew up in the same conditions and circumstances that James did, not truly being told what is acceptable and non-acceptable as far as finances are concerned, I would take advantage of the many opportunities laid out before me.
The bottom line is that you have a kid with tremendous talent who will make millions of dollars in his future. In the grand scheme of life where the line between right and wrong has long ago been blurred, is it fair for numerous businesses and organizations to make money from his talent without James being compensated a little? To me, exploitation is both wrong and unfair. And exploitation is exactly what is happening to LeBron James.
Does anybody remember when they were 17 or 18? If I had Hummers and autographed jerseys given to me, I would have taken them in a second. I was a 4.0 student and on top of the honor roll. I didn't see anybody imposing rules on me about accepting gifts. Would I have had to cancel my scholarships if I took a picture with a store owner that gave me an autographed Unseld jersey, or do these rules only apply for schools where the student makes them money?
I live in the Akron area. And I can tell you that I have had my fill of LeBron James. Well, at least for the time being. But I wanted to share this point of view that was brought up to a group I was with this past Sunday. Did it ever occur to anyone that maybe LeBron set himself up in order to eliminate the possibility of getting injured? Perhaps deliberately by a jealous high school punk?
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