LeBron James waited until the day after his playoff exit to speak with the media, so I decided to write this blog a day later as well.
As far as I’m concerned losing is a part of life, but LeBron apparently thinks he’s the exception to the rule. How do you justify acting the way he did following the Game 6 loss in Orlando? I realize losing sucks, but oh well deal with it, and by this I don’t mean avoiding the handshakes and media afterwords.
LeBron then shows up on Sunday and says “it’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them, 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,” said LeBron.
Wow.
This is coming from the NBA MVP, a role model, a leader. Don’t get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for his skills on the court but he needs to be more mature in certain situations.
Is he not aware of the word ‘sportsmanship’? His actions send the wrong message to young kids who follow his every move and try to emulate them.
Now, I can at least understand why he didn’t want to talk to the media, I don’t agree but at least understand. We (media)can be a pain in the butt, but you’re not just shutting us out, what about your fans? Anyways, it’s the not shaking hands I have a real issue with and think it’s pathetic. You’re not man enough to congratulate your opponents (some of which are your friends) on the other side of the court. Sending an e-mail just doesn’t cut it, and makes you look like a suck not going face to face.
LeBron you dropped the handshakes and more importantly the ball on this one. Be a man and move on!!