Someone remind me why Lebron was so hated for "The Decision" in 2010?

[OG Talk]

@gatorking @NYC Rebel @FTBS

If this thread is about a generalised human tendency to succumb to mass hysteria, get caught up and live vicariously through the melodrama of stars, and how white people feel entitlement and ownership over black sports stars (It goes without saying that race was a factor but in this instance it wasn't the root it was a catalyst.) then we can talk in broad terms about every sports related controversy and public overreaction to them and the things you're saying would be entirely right. We'll pile truisms on truisms and call it a day.

But you insult your own intelligence by acting as if all parties involved weren't aware of the rules of the game and Lebron had no say in how the narrative unfolded.
Like Lebron didn't know that the whole world was watching and the tv special wouldn't invite more scrutiny.
Like he wasn't aware that he was and remains far and away the biggest thing in basketball.
Like he couldn't imagine how the media would turn up the dial to 11 and reap the benefits.
Like the dramatism involved in the way he made the reveal didn't give the media everything they would need; the tension, the soundbites, the quote the clips, to fan the flames and turn him into an effigy.

But then of course maybe he genuinely was naive and these things hadn't occurred to him, at least not entirely. The fact that he's come out and said he'd have done things differently suggests that he believes had he done so, the outcome would have been different. If he can accept his hand in the hysteria why can't you?

Nobody is (or at least they shouldn't be) mad about the decision now but that's how hysteria works. Its always followed by amnesia. But lets not act like people in 2010 were looking around acting surprised at what was going on even if they did think it was ridiculous.

I don't know why you @'ing me with this...I've never stated any of these points...

 

[Kaypain]

I hope this is just an act to get daps.

Ok


Add nikkas who expected him to come to their team.

 

[TheNig]

@gatorking @NYC Rebel @FTBS

If this thread is about a generalised human tendency to succumb to mass hysteria, get caught up and live vicariously through the melodrama of stars, and how white people feel entitlement and ownership over black sports stars (It goes without saying that race was a factor but in this instance it wasn't the root it was a catalyst.) then we can talk in broad terms about every sports related controversy and public overreaction to them and the things you're saying would be entirely right. We'll pile truisms on truisms and call it a day.

But you insult your own intelligence by acting as if all parties involved weren't aware of the rules of the game and Lebron had no say in how the narrative unfolded.
Like Lebron didn't know that the whole world was watching and the tv special wouldn't invite more scrutiny.
Like he wasn't aware that he was and remains far and away the biggest thing in basketball.
Like he couldn't imagine how the media would turn up the dial to 11 and reap the benefits.
Like the dramatism involved in the way he made the reveal didn't give the media everything they would need; the tension, the soundbites, the quote the clips, to fan the flames and turn him into an effigy.

But then of course maybe he genuinely was naive and these things hadn't occurred to him, at least not entirely. The fact that he's come out and said he'd have done things differently suggests that he believes had he done so, the outcome would have been different. If he can accept his hand in the hysteria why can't you?

Nobody is (or at least they shouldn't be) mad about the decision now but that's how hysteria works. Its always followed by amnesia. But lets not act like people in 2010 were looking around acting surprised at what was going on even if they did think it was ridiculous.

 

[ScoopNScore]

Why is that Lebron's fault tho... he doesn't control what the media does.

While it is true the media (especially ESPN) took the ball and ran with pushing Lebron to us until we were sick and tired just like every flavor of the month we're supposed to to (i.e. Tebowmania), Bron didn't have to agree to OD on doing something every free agent has to do anyway.

 

[Kaypain]

While it is true the media (especially ESPN) took the ball and ran with pushing Lebron to us until we were sick and tired just like every flavor of the month we're supposed to to, Bron didn't have to agree to OD on doing something every free agent has to do anyway.

 

[Greenstrings]

I don't know why you @'ing me with this...I've never stated any of these points...

So we're agreed that decisions Lebron is partly responsible for blowing up the hysteria to what it was?

 

[NYC Rebel]

@gatorking @NYC Rebel @FTBS

If this thread is about a generalised human tendency to succumb to mass hysteria, get caught up and live vicariously through the melodrama of stars, and how white people feel entitlement and ownership over black sports stars (It goes without saying that race was a factor but in this instance it wasn't the root it was a catalyst.) then we can talk in broad terms about every sports related controversy and public overreaction to them and the things you're saying would be entirely right. We'll pile truisms on truisms and call it a day.

But you insult your own intelligence by acting as if all parties involved weren't aware of the rules of the game and Lebron had no say in how the narrative unfolded.
Like Lebron didn't know that the whole world was watching and the tv special wouldn't invite more scrutiny.
Like he wasn't aware that he was and remains far and away the biggest thing in basketball.
Like he couldn't imagine how the media would turn up the dial to 11 and reap the benefits.
Like the dramatism involved in the way he made the reveal didn't give the media everything they would need; the tension, the soundbites, the quote the clips, to fan the flames and turn him into an effigy.

But then of course maybe he genuinely was naive and these things hadn't occurred to him, at least not entirely. The fact that he's come out and said he'd have done things differently suggests that he believes had he done so, the outcome would have been different. If he can accept his hand in the hysteria why can't you?

Nobody is (or at least they shouldn't be) mad about the decision now but that's how hysteria works. Its always followed by amnesia. But lets not act like people in 2010 were looking around acting surprised at what was going on even if they did think it was ridiculous.

I had no clue the decision would invite that much scrutiny or attention. I came back from dinner and saw the last three minutes of it because I had no interest about anything other then where he was going. The hoopla that ensued was sheer stupidity and forced reactions that look more and more stupid the more the years pass and people are forced To strengthen the defense of their corny outrage.

 

[Won Won]

Act like every damn sports station in the world wasn't on Jordans sac 24/7 when he made the DECISION to go play fukking baseball

Act like the GOAT leaving in his prime to play another sport is the same as a free agent signing to another team

 

[OG Talk]

So we're agreed that decisions Lebron is partly responsible for blowing up the hysteria to what it was?

Mos def...

Only for the dumb, deaf and blind that are unable to think for themselves...Or for people that are unhappy with their own lives that project through sports and gain their self worth from their cities athletic accomplishments..The fukk I look letting him or ESPN control MY critical thinking process like that though?

Just because the majority of America is doing something isn't enough to make it justified to me...Popular opinion in this country isn't worth much to me...

 

[TheNig]

I had no clue the decision would invite that much scrutiny or attention. I came back from dinner and saw the last three minutes of it because I had no interest about anything other then where he was going. The hoopla that ensued was sheer stupidity and forced reactions that look more and more stupid the more the years pass and people are forced To strengthen the defense of their corny outrage.

Was it stupid? Yes. Was it forced? No

People's were acting strictly on impulse. They were legitimately mad.

 

[Greenstrings]

I had no clue the decision would invite that much scrutiny or attention. I came back from dinner and saw the last three minutes of it because I had no interest about anything other then where he was going. The hoopla that ensued was sheer stupidity and forced reactions that look more and more stupid the more the years pass and people are forced To strengthen the defense of their corny outrage.

That's entirely fair but to those paying attention it was pretty clear that it was gonna turn into something else. The media saw it coming from a mile away and milked it for all it was worth.

Mos def...

Only for the dumb, deaf and blind that are unable to think for themselves...Or for people that are unhappy with their own lives that project through sports and gain their self worth from their cities athletic accomplishments..The fukk I look letting him or ESPN control MY critical thinking process like that though?

Just because the majority of America is doing something isn't enough to make it justified to me...Popular opinion in this country isn't worth much to me...

Please understand, I'm not trying to justify anything. But as long as people as you described them exist and in large numbers, they're a standard part of the equation and we can't revise that away. If the surprise factor ends up being that people are idiots and are prone to react like idiots. Then the 'surprise' is hardly all that surprising.

 

[NYC Rebel]

Act like the GOAT leaving in his prime to play another sport is the same as a free agent signing to another team

It's actually worse. Some of us call it quitting. The problem many times is that the going narrative is shyt to begin with.

 

[OG Talk]

Please understand, I'm not trying to justify anything. But as long as people as you described them exist and in large numbers, they're a standard part of the equation and we can't revise that away. If the surprise factor ends up being that people are idiots and are prone to react like idiots. Then the 'surprise' is hardly all that surprising.

I hear ya.. But even by the "Dumb Angry American" standard that we have all experienced this was a shameful reaction...

But I've noticed something about "Post Obama America".. Situations like this are probably going to become more of the norm..A lot of people are just angry and don't know how to properly articulate why..So sources like ESPN and Fox News will continue to exploit that.. Its up to those who actually know better to speak up and just not blindly follow the masses...

 

[NYC Rebel]

That's entirely fair but to those paying attention it was pretty clear that it was gonna turn into something else. The media saw it coming from a mile away and milked it for all it was worth.


Please understand, I'm not trying to justify anything. But as long as people as you described them exist and in large numbers, they're a standard part of the equation and we can't revise that away. If the surprise factor ends up being that people are idiots and are prone to react like idiots. Then the 'surprise' is hardly all that surprising.

Maybe I'm giving the public too much credit in asking them to think

 

[Greenstrings]

I hear ya.. But even by the "Dumb Angry American" standard that we have all experienced this was a shameful reaction...

But I've noticed something about "Post Obama America".. Situations like this are probably going to become more of the norm..A lot of people are just angry and don't know how to properly articulate why..So sources like ESPN and Fox News will continue to exploit that.. Its up to those who actually know better to speak up and just not blindly follow the masses...

America doesn't really trade in shame anymore. There's no morning hangover because the next high, the next melodrama, the next outrage is so fast coming around the corner there's barely any room for reflection. The idea of emphasizing rational perspective is noble but where the game is rigged is that the mediums best equipped to do this are the ones that profit from provoking the nonsense in the first place.

Maybe I'm giving the public too much credit in asking them to think

Well people have proven time and again that they're not so inclined