Lebron James and the Art Of The Fuck-up

There's a lot of noise being made right now about LeBron James and his decision to get get rid of his agent and to let that responsibility be taken over by a Nike intern and 3 more of his friends.

I'll be honest. I don't really know how I feel about this. I understand Gregory Moore's points:

James has probably sold his future to the corporate suits at a time where he could have been the next coming of the Jordan line. Jordan’s brand has survived twenty years and the Jordan brand name is synonymous with excellence. Look at how many winning college programs are wearing his gear. Look at the numerous athletes who are sporting the look. Heck even a jazz musician is in the fold. Can LB23 surpass that success? I have my doubts now because I believe that James has gotten rid of the one person who could have made sure that he gets Jordan like endorsements and continue to make money long after his playing days are through. Goodwin would have been an agent for a lifetime for James. It didn’t seem that Goodwin was about becoming the Scott Boras of the basketball world. It’s too bad that James and his entourage didn’t understand how much of help Goodwin would be in the future. Yet as a young man, he has to make mistakes. I just hope that this isn’t a colossal mishap that costs him millions of dollars down the road. I hope the four horsemen can pull this off. If not, this may indeed be a blood bath that would have been very preventable.

But I remember being 20 years old. I thought I was going to run the world. I worked for a major record company. I had just married my High School sweetheart. The world was mine and I was doing everything right.

I no longer work for anybody. And I can't see my high school sweetheart without the urge to punch her in the nose. I don't get to see my daughter enough.  Things change and the decisions that may taste right may not be good for you.

I was a hardheaded youth and could not be told anything. I remember my Dad telling me I was the dumbest muthafuka on the planet. I thought he must be high. But he was right. I was dumb. But you know what. I lived through it. Part of being young is fucking things up. Just ask my ex-wife.
 

Comments

[Lester Spence]

I read Greg's comments. He's on crack. Ten years ago he would've been the one telling James he shouldn't go with an unproven guy like Goodwin and instead should sign with Arn Tellem.

Here is the question. There have been at least three or four occasions in LeBron's career where people have doubted his maturity and/or his network and/or his decision making ability. At every point they've been wrong.

Not "kind of" wrong. Dead wrong.

Forget about his game for a minute. Have you ever seen him in front of the press? This isn't a twenty year old idiot. I WAS A TWENTY YEAR OLD IDIOT.

This is a thirty five year old man in a twenty year old body. You've been reading Vision Circle long enough to know I don't buy the "blacks lack self esteem" claptrap.

But damn if it doesn't sound a bit like race based classism when i read people tripping on a decision made by someone who doesn't seem to have ever been wrong.

[D from cleveland]

so what do u think about lebrons decision now. he has just come out with a new and better shoe. has done numerous activities throughout the year, including rejuvinating Akron or at least in the process. Had a televised tournament in Akron, and is constantly doing whatever he can for the communities and uderpriveledged. doesnt seem as if hes skipped a beat to me, and the Cavaliers are looking pretty good. Lebron hs been and is continuing to make a jordanlike name of his own. i dont think any person working for him has anything to do with that. he is creating a legendary name for himself. everything is is part of how he is as a player and his attraction. once again columnist and reporters. you can eat this one too. constantly u make fools or yourselves reporting negativity. Now step foward and report how wrong you were!!!!!!!

[Dunkadelic Education]

The LeBron James of 20 years ago was Len Bias, Not "Air Jordan." LeBron is the same height as Len 6'8. King James has the same chiseled body that Len had. Both players could hit the 40 inch vertical scale. LeBron and Lens game are more similar than LeBron and Michael. A look at LeBron 2006 is a glimpse of what Len Bias would've done in the NBA.

[Idetrorce]

very interesting, but I don't agree with you
Idetrorce

[American Apparel Hoodie]

I read there old comments and they don't say anything about it..

[supra skytop uk]

Don't know what is wrong what is rite but i know that every one has there own point of view and same goes to this one