Perhaps the circus will end: Lebron James now ineligible

[Doctor P]

Did my heart good to see that King James was ruled ineligible for the rest of the season for accepting free clothing from a local merchant totaling $865 (two vintage athletic jerseys). Perhaps his mom would have been better off hiring a babysitter and a lawyer rather than buying him a HumVee.

I hope that NBA teams shy away from this disaster waiting to happen (I feel sorry for the kid, but I really worry about his ability to survive in the environment within which he is going to be living).

 

[Towncrier]

You can imagine that the news media here in Cleveland has been obsessed with this story. I will never understand why our society puts so much worth on someone who plays basketball, football, baseball, or any other type of sport.

 

[lisajl]

He seems just a bit arrogant on tv. Glad they are sticking to the rules on this one!

Lisajl

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I for one is happy that this happened. Maybe it taught him a lesson... but I highly doubt it.

Last year I was at an event where he was getting one of his multitudes of awards. He was SOOOOO rude, arrogant and insensitive that I could not stand it. His mother and "father figure" were there and supported it... or at least did not stop his behavior. Especially when the room was filled with other high school athletes that were genuinely appreciative of the awards given to them and respected the others in the room with good behavior.

Debbie

 

[Pembo]

I'm glad he's ineligible as well. I'm so sick of hearing about him!

 

[browneyes]

I can just imagine how big his ego is about now.

 

[UncleKyle]

He might have an ego but the boy can play some basketball. I agree with the ruling but at the same time, it's really sad how much money they have made off of him and his game. Every night he was playing at arenas that held thousands of people and he even sold out a game at UCLA's home court (something UCLA hasn't been able to do all year) I even read that one opposing team changed there scrimmage against his team to an exhibition just so they could charge money. And I don't blame him for going straight to the NBA, just hope he gets a good mentor on his team.

 

[dizneenut]

The boy can play basketball, but, sheesh, I am sooo tired of hearing about him.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I don't follow basketball very well, so I had to read up on this kid.

Is it just me, or does it seem like professional sports organizations do a disservice to talented athletes by recruiting them at such a young age? He's going to be the top pro draft pick straight out of high school, without the opportunity to mature as a person and get a college education. I think that's why we see so many professional athletes with problems -- they become millionaire superstars before they become mature enough to handle the pressure and responsibility.

 

[minniecarousel]

Shame on his Mom for not only allowing this - but supporting his behavior! Who, in their right mind, buys an 18 year-old a $50,000 car?! She better pray that he will be babysat on whatever NBA team gets him. There are some teams that will be better at mentoring a player so young.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by minniecarousel
Shame on his Mom for not only allowing this - but supporting his behavior! Who, in their right mind, buys an 18 year-old a $50,000 car?!

I have seen him play 8-10 times(live) in the last 3years. He is a "great player", but his support people, leave a lot to be desired. His mother gave him up for 3 years when he was 11-14 yrs old. His mothers boyfriend was just sentenced to prison for 3-5 years for fraud and embezzlement.His father is not a part of his life.
His mother is on welfare and lives in a HUD projects.If I am not mistaken his mother is only 33 yrs old her self. Her behavior at his games leave a lot to be disired.She was late for senior night and Lebron had to walk out on to the floor with teamates during "Senior Night".
They are appealing the decision by the state(OHSA). Don't be surprised if attorneys get this overturned and he returns the shirts(I hope it doesn't happen).
Bottom line is all he had to do is wait 2 more months, when his season was over, and he could do whatever he wanted.

 

[lisajl]

Could someone please tell me how his mother afforded the Hummer?

Lisa

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by lisajl
Could someone please tell me how his mother afforded the Hummer?

I am sure the car dealership (in Calif) had her sign a "note"(loan) that the loan($50,000) would be paid in full in 60-120 days. I may add that LeBron is a good kid, with a lot of "charisma" and will do fine in the NBA. He will be the 1st pick in the NBA draft in June.

 

[bambii]

is they are on public assistance and live in a low income apartments, and under the law no one in the family can own a car, that is over $10,000 blue book price

Im suprised the State hasnt looked into it. you have to report to the state if you are on assistance, any gifts you get and you have to estimate the value.

 

[bobcat]

All I kept thinking whe this news broke was what goes around comes around. He got out of hot water with the Hummer but I knew there had to be something else that would pull him down. I'm sure we will keep hearing about his drama for years to come.

 

[jjskribs]

In reality, this ineligibility isn't going to hurt him at all. He is now free to sign an endorsement with Nike or Adidas since he no longer holds amateur status. Analysts figure the endorsements will earn him in the neighborhood of 30 million dollars. That young man is trouble waiting to happen.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Jeez, you guys seem so anxious to see Lebron fail. Get over it, he's not a bad guy, and he didn't do anything immoral.

 

[momof2OH]

He sure seems arrogant! It's pretty sad that he had to take a remote controled hummer and run it around on the basketball court, especially with what was going on regarding the real hummer. From the stand point of someone watching this they would get the impression that he's saying he's better than anyone else, that they should try and get him and some other not so nice things. It's very hard to believe that he didn't know the price of the two jerseys he was given. or atleast that they were over $100. They were two "signed" jerseys. It should have been that hard to figure out, regular jerseys at local stores "unsigned" cost $50 & up a piece. The other thing is that he has made statements saying that if the Cavs pick him (which is very likely) that he won't play. He inturn would lose his shoe deal and then have to go overseas for a year to play over there. Sounds pretty arrogant to me. JMO

Hopefully, it will end soon. There's more important things going on in the world than hearing about Lebron.

 

[Doctor P]

Lebron James IS immoral, as is his mother. First of all, think about what Lebron has done to his teammates through this whole thing: that is immoral. Think also of the seven deadly sins....I rest my case. I will change my mind as soon as I see Lebron and his mother take a substantial portion of the sum of money he steals and put it to good use for the education and well being of other people who are underprivileged and not a highly touted basketball player. I look at Tiger Woods as a similar example to Lebron, except Tiger very quickly used his Foundation to make a difference. Let's hope Lebron gets the same type of good advice and makes the same kind of committment. He is young--I hope he learns from and rectifies the mistakes.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I have no problem whatsoever with players going pro straight out of high school.

An able body is something that is always fleeting. There have been tons of kids with promising futures in the pros & then have a career ending injury, playing for free & making whatever university thousands of dollars. When that happens, they're basically up a creek without a paddle.

Once you're 18, you're regarded as an adult & I don't think forcing someone through 4 years of mollycoddling is going to make that much of a difference in an individual's personal life. The NBA is a business & while they can do what they can to look after their players, they're not in the parenting business. Players that have spent the 4 years in college make bad life decisions too.