Huffington Post - Jay-Z's relationship with LeBron James has become "strained" after the NBA star decided to join the Miami Heat, the web site MediaTakeout reports. According to the article, James ignored Jay-Z's calls during the days leading up to his announcement.
Meanwhile, a source tells the New York Daily News that Jay-Z is "pissed, or at least disappointed, that LeBron didn't consult with him." The hip-hop mogul owns part of the New Jersey Nets, which were among many teams that courted King James in June and July.
James has received plenty of criticism since he announced his decision in a widely disparaged special on ESPN. While his former owner had the harshest words for the ex-Cavalier, Hall of Famers Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan all say they would have acted differently than James.
Showing posts with label Lebron James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lebron James. Show all posts
Thursday, July 29, 2010
ESPN Yanks Unflattering Lebron James Story
Fox Sports.com - ESPN pulled an unflattering LeBron James profile story from its website Wednesday, a controversial move for a network that has come under criticism for giving away part of its airtime to the athlete for a primetime special.
The article, by ESPNLosAngeles.com columnist Arash Markazi, depicted James as someone who “relishes being the center of attention” as handlers infantilize the 25-year-old.
“The more you hang around James, the more you realize he’s still a child wrapped in a 6-foot-8, 250-pound frame,” Markazi wrote, according to screengrabs posted on various fan websites.
The article was posted at 9:40 a.m. ET but was pulled shortly thereafter.
That meant it was suddenly more difficult for fans to read about James flirting with Las Vegas cocktail waitresses and fake-dribbling across casinos.
Though constantly surrounded by an entourage of security, family and longtime friends, he was disappointed when a club offered him a male waiter.
“I wish they’d have one of those girls with no panties do that instead of the guy,” he said as a waiter delivered another bottle of vodka.
Even fellow basketball players seemed shocked at James’ behavior.
In one nightclub, Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis walked past James’ group and surveyed the area “like a painting in a museum, soaking in the images of the go-go dancers ... and the costumed man delivering bottles of champagne.”
Davis shook his head, and moved on.
It would not be the first time ESPN has flirted with controversy when it comes to James. Its own internal watchdog blasted the sports network for what he said were ethical missteps in its recent broadcast of a program devoted to the star’s signing with the Miami heat.
"ESPN made some major mistakes handling the entire affair," said Don Ohlmeyer, the journalism watchdog, or ombudsman. "ESPN should never have traded (advertising) inventory for access or allowed a subject to select his inquisitor."
A call to ESPN’s communications line was not returned late Wednesday. A spokesman told CNBC “the story should never have been published.”
It was not immediately clear whether a different version would be posted to the website later.
“The more you hang around James, the more you realize he’s still a child wrapped in a 6-foot-8, 250-pound frame,” Markazi wrote, according to screengrabs posted on various fan websites.
The article was posted at 9:40 a.m. ET but was pulled shortly thereafter.
That meant it was suddenly more difficult for fans to read about James flirting with Las Vegas cocktail waitresses and fake-dribbling across casinos.
Though constantly surrounded by an entourage of security, family and longtime friends, he was disappointed when a club offered him a male waiter.
“I wish they’d have one of those girls with no panties do that instead of the guy,” he said as a waiter delivered another bottle of vodka.
Even fellow basketball players seemed shocked at James’ behavior.
In one nightclub, Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis walked past James’ group and surveyed the area “like a painting in a museum, soaking in the images of the go-go dancers ... and the costumed man delivering bottles of champagne.”
Davis shook his head, and moved on.
It would not be the first time ESPN has flirted with controversy when it comes to James. Its own internal watchdog blasted the sports network for what he said were ethical missteps in its recent broadcast of a program devoted to the star’s signing with the Miami heat.
"ESPN made some major mistakes handling the entire affair," said Don Ohlmeyer, the journalism watchdog, or ombudsman. "ESPN should never have traded (advertising) inventory for access or allowed a subject to select his inquisitor."
A call to ESPN’s communications line was not returned late Wednesday. A spokesman told CNBC “the story should never have been published.”
It was not immediately clear whether a different version would be posted to the website later.
Fan In Lebron James Heat Jersey Draws Ire At Indians Game
CLEVELAND - A fan wearing a Miami Heat jersey of LeBron James drew the ire of the crowd at a Cleveland Indians game and was escorted out of the ballparkFans in the left-field bleachers chanted obscenities and pointed at the man Wednesday night during the sixth inning of the game between the Indians and New York Yankees. Hundreds of fans joined in before security led the man out of Progressive Field. As he left, some fans followed him toward the gate with more derisive chants.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
James, Wade And Bosh Will Have A Confernce Call
Adrian Wojnarowski - LeBron James(notes), Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes) are expected to share a conference call on Wednesday to discuss free agency and try to move closer to finalizing their decisions, a league source with knowledge of the plan told Yahoo! Sports.
The three players are motivated to reach resolutions and make their choices public by Thursday, several sources told Yahoo! Sports. The stars and their agents with CAA continued on Tuesday to churn through numerous machinations and possibilities.
“Everything is still in play,” the source said.
James has the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and New Jersey Nets as his top three choices, sources said. Still, Cleveland has reemerged as the leader to keep James and Cavaliers officials are confident the two-time MVP will choose to re-sign with them.
The three players have strongly discussed playing together in Miami, and Bosh and Wade are considering playing together there as well as in Chicago or New Jersey, sources said. Wade hasn’t committed to re-signing in Miami and is still strongly considering the Bulls. He is intrigued with the talent that would surround him with the Bulls, as well as family considerations that would benefit from proximity to his ex-wife and children in Illinois.
Chicago and New Jersey need to make deals to eliminate more salary off their cap to accommodate two maximum contract players.
The three players are motivated to reach resolutions and make their choices public by Thursday, several sources told Yahoo! Sports. The stars and their agents with CAA continued on Tuesday to churn through numerous machinations and possibilities.
“Everything is still in play,” the source said.
James has the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and New Jersey Nets as his top three choices, sources said. Still, Cleveland has reemerged as the leader to keep James and Cavaliers officials are confident the two-time MVP will choose to re-sign with them.
The three players have strongly discussed playing together in Miami, and Bosh and Wade are considering playing together there as well as in Chicago or New Jersey, sources said. Wade hasn’t committed to re-signing in Miami and is still strongly considering the Bulls. He is intrigued with the talent that would surround him with the Bulls, as well as family considerations that would benefit from proximity to his ex-wife and children in Illinois.
Chicago and New Jersey need to make deals to eliminate more salary off their cap to accommodate two maximum contract players.
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