5 Years Ago today this happened

[FTBS]

He made it into an hour long ESPN Special ... he was begging for the reaction/attention

That doesn't mean people didn't overreact though. Dudes with rape and murder charges didn't receive that level of vitriol. Beyond that weren't those same people that covered it and tuned in in record numbers, begging to see him pick his team via that special, only to turn around and act like he was Satan for doing just that?

 

[Brozay]

That doesn't mean people didn't overreact though. Dudes with rape and murder charges didn't receive that level of vitriol. Beyond that weren't those same people that covered it and tuned in in record numbers, begging to see pick his team via that special, only to turn around and act like he was Satan for doing just that?

He already admitted he didnt go about it the right way, he opened himself to all that bullshyt

Would have been substantially less hate if he just signed/announced like all other free agents do

 

[Dr. Narcisse]

He made it into an hour long ESPN Special ... he was begging for the reaction/attention

True. But it was more ill advised than done with malice.

ESPN were more focused on where LeBron was going than a Celtics vs. Lakers FINALS. One man's free agency overshadowed an epic finals matchup

In a lot of ways he gave them what they wanted. It was just not done properly (It being an hour long was the wrong move and getting Jim Gray questions, etc)

 

[FTBS]

He already admitted he didnt go about it the right way, he opened himself to all that bullshyt

Would have been substantially less hate if he just signed/announced like all other free agents do

And none of that changes the fact that it was clearly an overreaction.

If he goes to one of the right teams there is far less hate if there is any at all. People didn't have a problem with the special itself, as they tuned in in record numbers. They held out hope he would sign with them or a team they deemed worthy and then when he didn't they acted like nikkas that got shot down at the club. Only people who really had a basis for acting like they did was Cleveland, everyone else were just acting like scorned, scared broads.

 

[Brozay]

And none of that changes the fact that it was clearly an overreaction.

If he goes to one of the right teams there is far less hate if there is any at all. People didn't have a problem with the special itself, as they tuned in in record numbers. They held out hope he would sign with them or a team they deemed worthy and then when he didn't they acted like nikkas that got shot down at the club. Only people who really had a basis for acting like they did was Cleveland, everyone else were just acting like scorned, scared broads.

Where have I said people didnt overreact? There would have been alot less overreaction if he just announced his plans like every other free agent.

There is no debating this. Having 'The Decision' was a terrible decision PR wise

Hes admitted this himself, not sure what there is to argue about here

He made it a spectacle and people/media responded accordingly

 

[Codeine Bryant]

Dallas Mavericks

 

[FTBS]

Where have I said people didnt overreact? There would have been alot less overreaction if he just announced his plans like every other free agent.

There is no debating this. Having 'The Decision' was a terrible decision PR wise

Hes admitted this himself, not sure what there is to argue about here

He made it a spectacle and people/media responded accordingly

Where did I say he didn't make a spectacle and wasn't looking for attention? That's pretty obvious, just like the fact that people overreacted. Your first response to me sounds an awful lot like refutation but hey if that's wrong please forgive me.

 

[Brozay]

Where did I say he didn't make a spectacle and wasn't looking for attention? That's pretty obvious, just like the fact that people overreacted. Your first response to me sounds an awful lot like refutation but hey if that's wrong please forgive me.

All Im saying is him(his team, whatever it may be) turning it into a spectacle, hour long, Jim Gray hosted, corny ass special helped create the overreactions

I dont think there is a massive overreaction if he just sends out a press release while on vacation. Would have just been a shocker, with less vitriol

Seemed most people were angry about how the decision went down, moreso than the actual decision

 

[mbewane]

5 years already...time flies

 

[triplehate]

Thought it was a dope moment

 

[Originalman]

True. But it was more ill advised than done with malice.

ESPN were more focused on where LeBron was going than a Celtics vs. Lakers FINALS. One man's free agency overshadowed an epic finals matchup

In a lot of ways he gave them what they wanted. It was just not done properly (It being an hour long was the wrong move and getting Jim Gray questions, etc)

Here is the thing folks fall for the okie dok so bad man. ESPN came to Lebron (Jim Gray came up with the idea) and said hey Lebron lets do a free agency special with you selecting the team.

It was actually Lebron's teams idea to say only if your sponsors donate to the boys and girls club.

The show gets record numbers and the media and fans are upset. ESPN like Viacom (during MTV and superbowl half time shows) loves the ratings but after the blow back throws Lebron and his group in the bushes as though they came up with the idea (David Stern has been the only person who has called out ESPN for coming up with the special).

Now let's fast forward to Miami. They do the introduction/pep rally which was created by Riley and the owner (who do this for every big agent signings like Shaq). ESPN spins it as though Lebron, Wade and Bosh came up with the idea.

See this shyt is how racism works. White folks can come up with ideas and implement them but when the shyt blows up in folks face black folks out there holding the exploded powder keg and getting all the blame.

 

[FTBS]

All Im saying is him(his team, whatever it may be) turning it into a spectacle, hour long, Jim Gray hosted, corny ass special helped create the overreactions

I dont think there is a massive overreaction if he just sends out a press release while on vacation. Would have just been a shocker, with less vitriol

Seemed most people were angry about how the decision went down, moreso than the actual decision

This is the issue. An overreaction is a reaction that is not appropriate or necessary, that's what it means. You saying that he helped create it is the same thing as saying that it's not an overreaction. Once again, based on how cats with rape, murder, and domestic violence cases and convictions have been treated (especially by black folks) there was nothing he could have done short of those things in that special to warrant such a reaction. People knew how the decision was going down days before it happened. The vitriol didn't start until he said "South Beach".

 

[TheNig]

Probably the single greatest collective overreaction in sports history. Can't believe it's been 5 years though .

You get the reaction you deserve based on how you present yourself.

 

[FTBS]

You get the reaction you deserve based on how you present yourself.

So the reaction to the letter last summer was okay?

Get those "bu...bu...buts" ready? Or you can just jump to "I don't care" or "You are a dikkrider" up to you .

 

[Originalman]

Without this event Lebron never becomes the most hated athlete in America. Which means millions of idiots in America don't tune into heat games to root against him and the heat. Which means the finals for 4 years in Miami don't get finals ratings rivaling the 80s and 90s glory years. Which means ESPN and TNT do not open up a war chest in record setting billions to have exclusive rights to broadcast the NBA. Which means the salary cap next year and the following year does not expand at a record rate. Which means avg players aren't signing these huge deals this summer and stars aren't set to earn 35 Mill plus in a couple of years.

Did I also mention that old boy probably doesnt pay 2 bill for the clippers.

Lebron has made so many folks money. These idiot fans don't even realize that this dude sadly off of this 1 hour special has helped make the league the healthiest it has been since MJ was winning rings in Chicago.