One of the hardest parts of my job is trying to figure out the difference between sports marketing ploys and genuine sports news as it pertains to LeBron James. LeBron changing his number? Sports marketing. LeBron playing football? Sports marketing.
(Mussa “Pants On the Ground” fan)
LeBron being an a-hole to a ballboy during a Bulls-Cavs playoff game? Not sports marketing.
Yes, James acted whack in the video, but that still didn’t prevent a chuckle or three.
11:12 am on April 27th, 2010
what a complete douche. not that this surprises anyone.
entitled dumbazz. typical.
just like tiger, nike lies to us about how these guys really are.
so sad.
11:17 am on April 27th, 2010
@Trotter123 - Grow up
11:31 am on April 27th, 2010
Yeah, that’s kind of a dick move.
Well, at least we got to see it, instead of Nike scouring the earth to destroy all evidence like the dunking video.
11:43 am on April 27th, 2010
Wahhhh, you’re getting booed, time to show the ballboy who’s boss..
11:47 am on April 27th, 2010
Trotter123 grow up? Basic sense looks at that and says Lebron needs to.
Exactly right about the image peddling and Nike suggesting Lebron may be admirable or noteworthy for something more than the mechanics and artistry of sport.
11:48 am on April 27th, 2010
Classless.
11:54 am on April 27th, 2010
What a prick!
11:57 am on April 27th, 2010
That’s just not necessary. He actually went out of his way to be prick-ish to a ball boy. I think that a candid shot like that probably gives us pretty realistic idea of what this guy is really like. I’m not shocked, but it is disappointing.
11:59 am on April 27th, 2010
Not true YourMom…most caucasian players never get take off their warm-ups.
12:00 pm on April 27th, 2010
who the fuck cares? every player does this. EVERY PLAYER.
12:13 pm on April 27th, 2010
Hes a F-ing BALL BOY! His JOB… the one he signed up for is to pick up players gear, and clean up after them. You really think LeBron should give a shit about some kid from Chicago who is routing against him anyways? If this were in Cleveland it would be a story because hes bashing his fan base. Here its an opposing fan whose job is to clean up after him who gives a shit. Kid still gets to be m-fing courtside at a playoff game, he should feel so lucky as to pick up after these guys, most kids would dream of the opportunity.
Get over yourselves, this is just another case of sbb trying to make a story where there is not one. Now back to 50 more stories about Big Ben and Tiger.
12:14 pm on April 27th, 2010
What a tool. I know the fans were givin it to you but damn…
A ball boy who prolly admires you… Hammer, screw driver,
drill, ho… You name it, he is it.
Doug Christie would never have done that. Lol
12:15 pm on April 27th, 2010
We have people at my office who are hired to clean up after us too, but that doesn’t mean I should piss in the trash can. It doesn’t hurt anyone to be decent.
12:34 pm on April 27th, 2010
I’m a Cavs & LeBron fan, and I saw that happen live. I thought to myself: “Man that was a dick move, LBJ.” Just hand it to the guy. He’s standing right there, hand out. Once, twice, even he’s not focused on the kid, but the third time he is looking at the ground, the hand, and he hits his shot. The guy made a half court shot like he was shooting a foul shot, and it this is an accident. I don’t think so.
He may have been a jerk to the kid, but he’s our superstar. And will be next year, too.
12:46 pm on April 27th, 2010
I piss in the trash can.
1:05 pm on April 27th, 2010
@Cavs Fan: but he’s our superstar. And will be next year
You sure about that?
Sorry. Just bustin’ your balls a little.
1:19 pm on April 27th, 2010
Hilarious.
1:21 pm on April 27th, 2010
I take shits in the dorm showers and laugh when the cleaning ladies clean it up. Im an asshole. What LeBron did, not so bad. Every player has done it at least once. When youre that focused you really dont give a shit.
1:36 pm on April 27th, 2010
this was totally the ball boys fault…you see its about justice…lebron is the victim whom society has “dissed” and the kid represents the white european power structure and all its evils…lebron is powerless and just like president whose election really means nothing has changed and in fact minorities are now even more helpless than ever…the ballboy continues to propagate his inherent racism by having the audacity to have too short an arm or is only there himself due to racism…ACORN WE NEED YOU
1:38 pm on April 27th, 2010
@the truth, that was hilarious.
1:55 pm on April 27th, 2010
I am a ball boy for a team in the NBA and this happens all the time. It’s not just with LeBron. Most of the time the player is just messing with you. Then during a timeout or in the locker-room after the game you guys will talk about it.
Not a big deal.
2:19 pm on April 27th, 2010
LeBron better watch out for something sprayed in his clothes or jock…..like in revenge of the nerds!
Nerds,
NERDS,
NERDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3:28 pm on April 27th, 2010
Umm haters, there is nothing about his game you can criticize so let’s pick apart his manners during a time out? Are you freaking serious? It was in the middle of a PLAYOFF GAME. What an asshole for being focused on the playoff game and not hurting the road team’s ballboy’s feelings.
3:44 pm on April 27th, 2010
Seriously, does it really matter? Why do people always have to try to create a story when there’s none?
Looks like you are trying to find one more excuse to hate on LeBron. Because, clearly, it pains certain people to admit the guy is a gifted player so they have to come up with excuses to hate on him.
5:10 pm on April 27th, 2010
@ Dr. Joe Yeah, it does matter. It’s about how you treat the ‘little people’ as you move through your life.
6:02 pm on April 27th, 2010
What a tool of an writer. EVERYONE does that.
6:24 pm on April 27th, 2010
I’m not a basketball fan, but I don’t see the big deal. Doesn’t this happen all the time? It’s kind of like a MLBer taking a walk. You never see them take off their shin/elbow guard and along with the bat hand it to the batboy. They always just throw it on the ground. Isn’t this kind of the same thing?
9:16 pm on April 27th, 2010
Whats the big deal??? The kid shouldnt be walking out on the court and is suppose to stay down right where LBJ threw his shirt especially when the kid gets in the way of the camera. Im a Kobe guy but this is stupid.
9:17 pm on April 27th, 2010
TELL LB PICK UP HIS OWN
9:58 pm on April 27th, 2010
I was wondering the same thing when I saw that happen. The ball boy is right there. All it takes is a glance. He might of been focused, but I gotta give a C’mon man.
10:26 pm on April 27th, 2010
The jerk should apologize….
11:41 pm on April 27th, 2010
LeBron is an as–ole - as are most of these semi-literate NBA players - I do not care about their lack of literacy - but when I grew up, NBA players were mostly nice guys - now we have a bunch of LeBrons - which is why I rarely watch them any more. What an arrogant jackass!!!!!@
1:37 am on April 28th, 2010
Talk about a bunch of wimps and a**holes here, talking out of your freaking a**hole. The video clearly shows, The King is not even aware of the piss ant ballboy. LeBrons focus is on the game, which is what he gets paid for, not worrying about what dumbsh*** like you think about. But most of you lightweights have never played a single game of real BB, even in your own community, so it’s obvious you don’t have a clue. Why don’t you ever make a comment about every time a non-black gets touched in a ball game, the refs call a foul. Every freaki’n time, like the non-black kids momma is gonna run right out onto the floor, and scream and yell at the ref, to better protect her little a**hole. Pick any NBA team, where you have non-blacks in the game, if only for a minute, and watch a black just look at the non-black, the damn ref calls a foul every freakin time. Now run and blast that over the news….a**holes.
2:26 am on April 28th, 2010
why is everything on here about black and white? grow up you f-ing losers
4:14 am on April 28th, 2010
ballboy was a chicago fan, if ballboy was a cavs fan I’m sure James might not have done that
6:21 am on April 28th, 2010
luckily, scott has something of intelligence to say. being that he is actually a ball boy and has some experience dealing with this, i will listen to him. the rest of you all really need to get lives.
7:09 am on April 28th, 2010
RESPECT!!! Doesn’t matter if James makes more money than the ball boy!! Doesn’t matter that the ball boy is caucasian. The money he is making and he needs to act like this. Not just james any of them.
7:18 am on April 28th, 2010
While it looks like he was disrespectful to the young man perhaps he didn’t notice he had his hand out or maybe that is the way he always discarded his warmups. Not defending James. I don’t follow the NBA and have hardly seen him play. Just thinking the video may not have been as incriminating as it seems.
7:29 am on April 28th, 2010
Here comes some more BS. He wasn’t even looking at the ballboy. This short clip is just aanother way to start some mess. Idiots!!!!!
7:40 am on April 28th, 2010
The stupidity of the man speaks for itself - no further comment required.
8:11 am on April 28th, 2010
If u pay attention stupid, the button got stuck on his right leg and couldnt just hand it over when u say the ball boy reach. Plus the kid is a ball boy. Come on now..its a playoff game..Lets focus on playing the game..Takin off his warm-up us a routine. They always throw them. Stop babying the little dude.I’m sure he didn’t mind..Lets ask the little guy before we disrespect Lebron like that
8:18 am on April 28th, 2010
God forbid; should Lebron ever suffer a crippling injury, could he ever get a job as a ball boy?
Or maybe he is an intellectual whiz with great verbal skills and could move right into the broadcasting booth.
Professional dignity and style left this league long ago.
For examples, check out any one of the Celtics’ rosters under Auerbach and Russell. Loaded with class men! And many hall of famers as well. And winners of SEVEN straight NBA crowns.
By the way, first team to draft a black player, first team to put 5 blacks on the floor together, first team to hire a black coach. Had enough from you-know-where?
8:38 am on April 28th, 2010
Players do this ALL the time. Do you think he really has time to wait for the ball boy to take the warm-ups from his hand? I don’t think so. I play football, and when the water boy brings a water bottle, I take a drink and toss it down. I don’t have time to wait for him, I have bigger things to worry about!
8:48 am on April 28th, 2010
no class
8:51 am on April 28th, 2010
Big Deal !!! It doesn’t look like he did it on purpose. He was just looking around and threw them down. People make the biggest things out of NOTHING!!!!
8:54 am on April 28th, 2010
I’m sure he had more on his mind than “Here ball-boy let me make your job easy, I’m not doing anything else at this moment.” Get a clue people….
9:15 am on April 28th, 2010
Really? Are you joking about this. Lebron James is supposed to worry about a kid that doing his job? No! James did he almost any other person would do in the moment. His focus was on the Bulls not where his sweats are supposed to be tossed.
9:45 am on April 28th, 2010
Let the ball boy do his job and Lebron do his job. Don’t try to make this a big deal and blow it out of proportion.
10:57 am on April 28th, 2010
your blog post = stretch
rough day looking for content to write about?
11:34 am on April 28th, 2010
What a loser!
11:55 am on April 28th, 2010
Is this criminal? No, just disappointing. It just gives a new insight to a character that is normally perpetrated to us in a very controlled, influenced and edited manner.
Those who do not care are those who see no problem in labeling fans as their teams respective fans before humans. Those who do just have a more reasonable and informed attitude when it comes to the business of market and media.
I doubt it is a far assumption that many people in his position do the same kind of thing. It isn’t a big deal because most of his fans will justify any action he does as long as he performs for them. The taxing puppet.
12:09 pm on April 28th, 2010
Thats O.K he will be just like the other superstars .who the I.R.S will come after down the road.Obviously he is not that smart to do that with all those people watching.He forgot to Rub them under his Armpits.AssH-le
2:07 pm on April 28th, 2010
Lebron was in his bag, so.
Now if he was caught ram-rodding the kid in a bathroom stall or askin the kid if his mother was a prostitute…that would be some foul ish, don’t you think?
2:11 pm on April 28th, 2010
It’s not how we treat our peers but how we treat those in the work tier “below” us that tells our character. In the case, Lebron’s a turd. At least once he could’ve tossed the warmups to the ball boy, but no, he has to throw them on the ground to show the ballboy his is “King and Lord” over him. King Ego is his name from now on.
2:53 pm on April 28th, 2010
Didn’t he tell his mom to STFU on Mother’s Day or something, during a game…. Good luck trying to find a video of that now..
3:19 pm on April 28th, 2010
You stay classy Lebrown…errr I mean LeBaron…err dammit I mean LaSabre…oops! I meant Leblagovich.
He should eat a hole roll of toilet paper
4:01 pm on April 28th, 2010
Good thing the colors weren’t reversed. Jesse and Al would be in that player’s front yard.
11:01 pm on April 28th, 2010
half you guys are idiots.(1)LeBron wasn’t even looking at the kid, probably didn’t even know he was there. He was focused on the game(2)As it was pointed out, it’s the ball boys job to pick up after the players, that’s what HE is there to do. If LeBron was just going to hand his shit to someone all nice and neat like, there would be no need for the ball boy to be there to do that job in the first place.. It’s not like LeBron was holding his gear above the kids head and not giving it to him. Some of you people need to get a life and get a clue. You’re probably the same people that bashed him last year for not shaking Dwight Howards hand after losing the Conference Finals, calling him a poor sport.. Howard didn’t shake his hand either, but nobody called him a poor sport. That was all the media’s doing because they were pissed at LeBron for not coming out to answer THEIR questions. If he had done that nobody would have said shit about him not shaking Howards hand, as if that was the first time a losing player hadn’t shakin the hand of a winning player. Geez
11:03 pm on April 28th, 2010
oh and by the way, anon……good thing you stayed anonymous, because your stupidity shows. a hole roll of toilet paper? really? The word is WHOLE genius. good lord. If i were you i’d be more focused on your own intelligence, or in your case, lack of, than i would be anything anyone else does
11:16 pm on April 28th, 2010
Wow, this would be news, if it didnt happen 10-15 times per game
12:02 pm on April 29th, 2010
Just another dumbass move by a classless bully. If he was so “focused” on the game, why did he look a the kid twice and intentionally throw the items away from him? He’s just like all the rest; only interested in being a “baby dady”. And as far as just being a “ballboy”, the kid is considered an employee of the NBA during any game. And as such, deserves a degree of respect from even an asshole like James.
12:21 pm on April 29th, 2010
This has nothing to do with James ability on the court.
All this says is the man has no decency towards a fellow human being. Yeah, like that’s more important than a jump shot!
3:56 pm on April 29th, 2010
What a surprise. LeBron has already shown multiple times that if things don’t go the way he wants then he becomes a complete whining baby with no maturity whatsoever. He acts like a man when he is in a good mood, acts like a baby when he is mad. LeBron James is not a real man and I have no respect for him.
3:58 pm on April 29th, 2010
CBdog is obviously a Cavs fan.
2:02 am on April 30th, 2010
DMack, you truly are an idiot. It has nothing to do with race, it has to do with the superstars getting the call. MJ used to slap his own arm driving to the basket, and he’d get that call 90% of the time. As a Bulls fan it was great, but refereeing in the NBA is about equal to that of the WWE.
Still a dick move, regardless of who’s doing it. The difference in basketball is that the ball boy is just a couple of feet from the guys, whereas in baseball, they’re much further, and are probably saving the kid some time by tossing the bat to them.
1:25 pm on April 30th, 2010
hey dmack, you sound just like a nig like the rest of these nba a**holes are. i hope this economy really goes into the tubes so we can get ride of professional sports and all these jerks in it.
1:38 pm on April 30th, 2010
Typical, S#*T you can take the man out of the Ghetto, but you can’t take the Ghetto out of the man !!!!!!!! Just another overgrown 10 year old.
1:42 pm on April 30th, 2010
WHAT A DICK! LB Jerk has to remind himself that he puts a ball in a basket, and that’s all he knows how to do. Idiots like us make him rich like he is. He probably doesn’t even know how to read or write. ***hole!!!!!!
2:00 pm on April 30th, 2010
Are you kidding me, Lebron was sizing up the action on the court, zoning in, locking and loading, ready for battle, IT is his JOB! The interpertation of those who view this as being a jerk, is off base! Get over yourselves!
4:46 pm on April 30th, 2010
ha ha I remember seeing that, then rewinding it to show my cousin what an a-hole lebron was. I think it was that same game or the game after when Mo lost the ball at the end of the quarter and lebron stood above him, just looked at him and walked away, then delonte came running over from the bench to help mo up. I’m a big lebron fame but thats just messed up
3:43 am on May 1st, 2010
Lebron being Lebron? Lets face it…N iggers are N iggers. Most black people hate white people, not just here but all over the world. Just the way it is. Troll the internet if you don’t believe me. Read Justice web sites….see stats on black on white crime. Thank God ur not in Zimbabwe or South Africa, where killing white people is practically a sport. Fools call me racist, no I’m not, the facts don’t lie and I don’t want to try to be friends with anyone who doesn’t like me. I’d say a race war was coming to this country but it’ll never happen cuz the majority of white people don’t have the wherewithall or guts to do what is needed. And so our world will continue to change, white people will continue to suffer and watch the world they built be taken from them. Just watch.
PS…No trailer park trash here, got a Masters in Sociology and make close to six figures.
12:02 pm on May 1st, 2010
He got a game on his mind and is focused on the game. This is silly to read into it.
Sammy comments are shameful. Go join the tea party and spout this evil shit. By the way their is more black on black crime than white.
At least blacks have not started the payback and been found hanging white people, whipping them and the rest that went on all the way into the 70’s.
Your a low life Sammy. You unAmerican of the 1st order.
11:36 pm on May 1st, 2010
Dude, Lebron is at work and he’s trying to win a game. The ball boy was hired to pick up gear and wipe the floor. THIS IS LEBRON’S OCCUPATION….WIN GAMES. The last thing on his mind is whether he was nice to a guy who was hired exactly to do that kind of job.
You guys are reading too much into it.
1:40 am on May 3rd, 2010
“You can tell something about a man’s character by how he treats those he doesn’t have to treat well.”
I always thought that was a good quote. I’m afraid I also fall into the category that feels it would have cost the man nothing, at all, to acknowledge the kids presence.
Fan, or not…Im sure the kid was in awe to be in the presence of an athlete of the stature of LeBron. And to be honest, I doubt the kid thought twice about the situation as he was happy having one of the coolest jobs a young guy could get.
It’s a shame…oh well, the world goes on.
4:45 pm on May 3rd, 2010
If it weren’t for professional sports, most of these guys don’t even have the intelligence to flip a burger at McDonalds…..
LBJ is a douche just like a lot of otha brothas…
10:01 am on May 4th, 2010
Here we go again!!!! If the ball boy was black , I am sure this would be ignored……he is white …and of course it’s a big thing!!!!.
This is not the first time this happened and it will continue.
GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
10:40 am on May 4th, 2010
I agree with Michael Jardine comments and Sammy you may have a Masters in Sociology but you are still an asshole and a racist.
10:58 am on May 4th, 2010
NOW YOU SEE.. THE REAL MVP.
I’M SORRY FOR ALL THOSE WHO VOTE FOR HIM.