Honestly, I did not want to write about LeBron James this week. There are so many other interesting topics: the World Cup, the Calgary Flames hiring someone not named Sutter to work in the front office, or Joey Chestnut trashing Kobayashi after the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest.
I would have even rather opined about Geelong and St. Kilda duking it out for first in the AFL–though I have no actual insight into Australian rules football (although it was one of my favourite sports to watch way back in the day on TSN).
However, there is no way I cannot write about what transpired, July 8th. It was a day that will be rejoiced on South Beach, and pretty much reviled anywhere else people care about the NBA.
That Thursday, James, an unrestricted free agent, made his decision to go and play for the Miami Heat. This ended his 7-year reign, as "King", in Cleveland as a member of the Cavaliers. Also, it should end any kind of credibility he has, and the credibility of more than a few others.
Now, I have no problem with James heading south. In fact, any player, once an unrestricted free agent, has the right to play wherever they like, as long as a team wants them.
If LBJ thinks Miami is the best place for him to win a championship-more power to him. He joins Dwyane Wade and ex-Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh to create a new "Big 3." Yet, before we hand the Heat the next Larry O'Brien Trophy, I believe at least 5 players are needed to field a basketball team.
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And to win a championship? Well, it was more than just Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce who led Boston to the 2008 title. And as much as we like to think Michael Jordan was a one man team when he was winning titles in Chicago, he always had Scottie Pippen, a Hall-of-Famer himself, and several quality role players who came up big when asked upon. Plus, the reigning champs, the Los Angeles Lakers have some guy named Kobe Bryant, aided by Pau Gasol, who seem to have a knack for actually winning titles.
It's just how this whole scenario has played out that makes me squirm. In the end, it has all been contrived. What is more, the way the media has covered this story is tragic.
First, it was the "where is LeBron going" questions-which started over 2 years ago-that were asked leading up to his decision. Supposedly, Wade was going to Chicago. Bosh was going to Houston. James was going to New York, Miami, New Jersey, Los Angeles and all points in between it seemed. Then it was reported that the trio had decided long ago to all play together, and really only Miami had a shot at making that happen.
Then, the way the "news" was presented was downright depressing. James and his camp, on ESPN, had an hour-long "show" called Decision, where he made his "announcement." It was "staged" at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. James brought in his own "reporter," Jim Grey, to "ask" him questions. Seriously, the programme made The Hills look like a credible TV show.
Everything about the show was contrived. Every single second. Should ESPN have declined James request to air it on their network? ESPN had almost no control over it. Yet, the network used its own graphics and production materials to make it look like one of its shows. The World Wide Leader has many, many great reporters and journalists. Yet, when the network allows for something like Decision to happen on its airwaves it completely undermines its credibility. Although, that may have left ESPN long before this debacle.
It is a sign of the times. ESPN is owned by Disney. CNN is owned by Time/Warner. Global is owned by a bunch of creditors, and hopefully soon, Shaw. The main thing for all of these networks is to show a profit. Getting the story right is becoming less, and less of a priority. "Entertaining" the public seems to have taken over. While proper journalism is becoming marginalized–rumour, conjecture and opinion is taking its place.
Even though ESPN has a news department, not in a million years would the network turn down the chance to air James' exclusive announcement on the players' terms. There lies the conflict. No money between James and ESPN reportedly changed hands (the network allowed LBJ to put the show on free, with the money raised from advertizing going to the Boys and Girls Club).
James was trying to save face, by showing even though he's taking a huge dump on Cleveland, he made a bunch of money for a worthwhile charity. He said he hated to leave the team near his hometown, but was still in a good enough frame-of-mind to plan a party on South Beach the night of the announcement.
In the end does it matter? Maybe we should just get rid of sports journalists and let the athletes themselves break the news.
Because if the James' Decision programme is any indication of the future of media–at least the Boys and Girls Club wins right?
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