Lebron Misses The Point But Deserves Benefit Of Doubt
Someone I know is fond of saying “you can do nine great things but the minute you slip up once by making a mistake, people will remember that and forget everything else”.
There’s some truth to this. I kept reading about how Lebron James “gets it”. A superstar that is the new face of the NBA who is mature beyond his years. For the most part, this has been the case.
But did he “get it” following the Cleveland Cavaliers fall before the Orlando Magic in six games by not shaking the hands of his opponents opting instead to shun them and run for the locker room?
I mean, can’t a guy act on impulse and make a mistake anymore?
I think most people were willing to remember the “nine things” and forget the one mishap. However, this may have changed for some after his explanation:
“It’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them,” he said. “I’m a winner. It’s not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.”
Perhaps, but we all have to grin and bare things, albeit in different ways, in life. Call me old fashioned, but it’s how you handle your failures that helps define your character. Just because you’re a competitor that hates to lose doesn’t mean you can’t look your opponent in the eye (yes, that same opponent you just tried to beat silly) and tell him “Good job. You deserve it”.
Really.
His non-apologetic stance reminded me of when Zinadine Zidane refuses to accept responsibility and admit he alone was wrong for his infamous head butt on Marco Materazzi during the World Cup final in 2006.
However, let’s not over blow the situation either. So far, Lebron’s career has had more ups and positives than downs and negatives. The “nine good deeds to one bad one” shouldn’t apply in his case.
The other day I was coaching (if you call it that) my daughter’s U-4 soccer team. After the game, I attempted to rally the girls to congratulate the other team. My daughter couldn’t understand why since her team lost the game. In her mind, there was no point in a handshake. Of all the players, my kid is the biggest competitor who doesn’t tale losing all too well. It’s tough explaining to a four year old the “big picture” on things when their needs are so short-term oriented.
Nevertheless, I persisted and insisted. I summoned the other coach and he rallied his team. I gathered the girls and told them in French and English (I live in Quebec), give your opponents a high five and tell them “Bon match”!
It’s a life lesson I want these kids understanding at a young age. It’s tough but they’ll learn.
It shouldn’t be too hard for Lebron (an Olympian no less) to grasp.
7 Responses to “Lebron Misses The Point But Deserves Benefit Of Doubt”
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Give it up already! This was over a week ago, and the finals have started.
Why hasn’t anyone said anything about the lack of tack Dwight Howard had by throwing up a 3 at the buzzer with his team winning by 11 points? That is poor sportsmanship as well.
Whoever is upset with LeBron or down talking him about shaking someones hand after the game is full of sh**!!! All that he had accomplished had went down the drain in one single moment. He was hurt and disappointed. He left the court and went on about his business. At least he wasn’t fake about it. Even Koby Bryant said that people should get off of LeBron’s back and I couldn’t agree more!!!!
I think that Leborn James demostrated what type of person/man he is since his entrance into the NBA. One thing that he has built a foundation upon is his determination in being GREAT. For him not to congratulate Orlando was not a move of poor character, Nevertheless a act of his passion and love for his team and career. For someone to look at this with a eye of un justification is a weak minded indivdual who can understand failure. I understand Lebron drive to be great, and to not accept failure. What real indivdual could not?
A True Cavs Fan
Come on guys cant you find something better to write about? This is last weeks news.
Pathetic
We are past game 2 of the NBA Finals and there’s still something new to say about LeBron and his neglecting to do the usual half-hearted handshake and half-hug with the Magic?
People sure love it when they feel like they have a moral high horse to sit on. And the more you can blow the issue out of proportion (”oh my he’s an OLYMPIAN!” uh huh since when have “Olympians” displayed some higher standard of behavior than us “regular” folks?), the more dick waving you can do. Ironically one can argue that such a position is not any more respectable than that of an athlete who let his emotions get the better of him and didn’t go through the usual formalities that pass for mutual respect.
Well, call me crazy but I see the point of this article and nor is it judging him. All it’s arguing is he could have handled it better in the explanation part. It doesn’t take a higher “moral” ground. It offers an “opinion”. Why are people so sensitive to this?
And who cares if it’s a week later? It’s still an interesting topic. I don’t feel Lebron is besmirched here but at the end of the day, just shake the damn hand!
As for the Olympian bit, the point is carrying that badge comes with some sportsmanship. Imagine if you don’t congratulate your opponent after losing for a medal!
I think people are missing the higher point. It’s ok to criticize him.
Hey, thanks for all the comments.
I decided to post it because, well, for this reason! Besides, I do feel it’s a worthy topic: Is it a big deal or not? Some feel it is and others don’t. The author did a good job.
I guess the NBA found his snub of the press more serious as they fined him $25 000.
Moreover, I heard more tough stances on the matter in the media and ATH!
Last, this site generally doesn’t go the route of such topics but sometimes, hey, we give in and enjoy the reactions while we sip ginger and lemon tea.
But seriously, more often than not (and this is just my opinion) athletes do bite the bullet and shake hands.
By the way, last note on people who feel this is “old news”. Sportsmanship, or the idea of it, never gets “old”. The NYT just published its own opinion this past weekend.
If we go with this logic, we wouldn’t write about history of any kind.
So, yes, as a bad editor, I disagree with this argument.
And thanks for keeping it clean. It’s not easy when passion is involved.