[romeeezybabyParticipant]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Asisw0B7dxxElRE6rxc2p.C8vLYF?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610

‘No one could stand James as a 19-year-old in the 2004 Athens Olympics, nor the 2006 World Championships. Officials feared James could become the instigator of everything they wanted to rid themselves for the ’08 Olympics. For as gifted as James was, Krzyzewski and Colangelo subscribed to a belief th…at with Kobe Bryant(notes) joining the national team in 2007, they could win a gold medal in ’08 with or without LeBron James. Behind the scenes, officials had taken to calling James’ inner circle, “The Enablers.” No one ever told him to grow up. No one ever challenged him. And yet, James was still a powerful pull for his teammates, and everyone had to agree they could no longer let his bossy and belittling act go unchecked. These werent the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Team USA wasn’t beholden to him.’

“For as gifted as James was, Krzyzewski and Colangelo subscribed to a belief that with Kobe Bryant joining the national team in 2007, they could win a gold medal in ’08 with or without LeBron James.”

Let the rain pour……

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

Come on now, this is complete BS.

Now that LBJ is the bad guy everyone’s gonna piss on him? Come on son.

[romeeezybabyParticipant]

The timing of this story to break is a little weird. If they knew about what was going on during the 2004 Olympics, then why didn’t they publish it then? Who was protecting Lebron’s name in the media? Adrian Wojnarowski is a very credible columnist in the sports media, and is Yahoo Sports’ top guy. We’ll see what becomes of this, regardless though whether truth, or aboslute BS. This is definitely bad for Lebron and his brand.

[LawDeeZeeParticipant]

Adrian Wojnarowski is a pretty significant journalist .. interesting story … wouldn’t surprise me if we find out more dirty details about lebron in the coming weeks

[gregoden08Participant]

LBJ is getting soooooo much hate…MY god. Interesting column though.

[Imaking6004Participant]

There could be somebody leaking out these dirty details, could it be? Dan Gilbert!

[StarbucksSucksParticipant]

A supremely talented 19 year old with a hundred million dollar shoe deal and number one pick in the draft is surrounded by a team of less talented “enablers” and has a sense of superiority, so much so that coaches are irritated by his arrogance and the sense of entitlement that accompanies his new wealth and status. Wow! I am shocked. This is crack journalism at its best. Dantoni was so offended he recruited James to NY so he could bring his uncoachable nature to the big Apple to torment Dantoni, who is a closet massochist himself. Really? This storm will last until his third triple double next year. Remember how the media turned Kobe 8 into a villain in 2005. 5 years later Kobe 24 is revered, an NBA champion and holder of the title of best selling jersey in the league. That mainstream media is always on point!

[marcusfizer21Participant]

Wow… They were just Derrick Rose away from getting LBJ??? Is LBJ that egotistical that he needed to be wooed by the team’s best player? Talk about arrogance…

[llperez]

forget who it was, but there was a journalist following the 2008 olympic team around. When he gave his run down of all the players on the team, he had nothing but positive things to say about 11 of the players. Talked about how great a leader kidd was, how hard a competitior kobe was, how humble wade was etc. But the 1 guy he ripped on was lebron james He said lebron couldn’t stand not being the center of attention at all times and that it absolutley pissed him off that the asian fans chanted kobe’s name and showed kobe most the love over him.

[marcusfizer21Participant]

That’s because Kobe always will support his fans all over the world… I must admit that I am no Kobe fan but you have to appreciate his support through his Asian Tours and stuff like that… I remember Kobe visiting Manila in 1997 promoting his then-brand Adidas… The way he was embraced by the Filipinos overwhelmed him… He wore a Barong tagalog in his press conference and did that "Tinikling" dance (a cultural dance in the Philippines) which awed the fans… His Kobe tour in 2008/09(not sure), his first stop was the Philippines because he considered the country as one of his comfort zone… More like a second home if you ask me but he just loved his Filipino fans, the Asian fans in general…

[Michael.S.Participant]

This story, if you read the full article, as I have, doesn’t fall into place with other things that have been said….this guy said lebron was never gonna stay no matter what but even as soon to FA as 1 week ago it was reported that LeBron was trying to get Bosh to come to Cleveland to play with him, which mans he would have wanted to stay…

Plain and simple- The situation in Cleveland was bad(and wasn;t going to improve in the near future) and in Miami it was a dream scenario. the dissapointments year after year in the playoffs in Cleveland, i think, was what ultimately took a toll on him mentally and he decided he couldn’t win there.Which I think he could have done single handedly, since he is that good a player. He had a chance to go win multiple championships playing with some of his closest friends and great players, who would pass that up?

[llperez]

yeah, kobe has done a couple tours through asia. Pretty smart for people looking to extned their brand considering the population there and the fact basketball is blwoing in various parts of asia. I heard it passed soccer in china.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Lebron may have ways but truth be told most famous people do but I do believe now that he is being hated that stuff is overblown. I hate how the media does this. They should have said this stuff when Lebron was in Cleveland and everyone loved him. Why do this stuff now. This doesn’t hurt Lebron. Lebron is an only child and his mother was pretty young so you can pretty much guess he acts spoiled. Why are people so surprised now. Most people if they could act spoiled they would because I have dealt with people online and in real life who do no have anywhere close to Lebron money or success and they are spoiled.

[IknoBall12Participant]

lebron is getting shi**ed on now that he left.

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