Lebron James The Brand Or Human

For a long time, I came to believed that the Nike slogan of “Just Do It” fueled everyone in the universe and more so, the professional athletes who are paid to wear the logo on their hats, shirt, pants and shoes.

Just Do It…made my golf game better, I bought Nike shoes, golf bag and clubs, I bought into the Nike hype, and yes I did. So did Lebron, MJ, Kobe, Tiger, Venus, Serena, my son and daughter and millions of other Nike buying Americans.

Unlike you and I, the superstars who wear the Nike logo, are paid to be their best to a fault. It is almost expected that these athletes are not allowed to miss a putt, free throw, field goal, or yes a dunk during the off-season.

I guess you know where I am going with this. I know readers of my blog posts over the last few months can or will decide that I am huge Lebron James fan, matter of fact I am knowledgeable on all things Lebron and Cleveland Cavaliers.

As to King James, one thing I know for sure, he is a believer, or shall I say witness to the “Just Do It” cliché. James also takes responsibility for his actions, except for the Conference Finals, when he made an early exit off the court, without displaying his brand of leadership and sportsmanship that became so signature for him during the season.

For that, I gave him a free pass on the misstep, alluding to the fact, that we have to also remember he is young. After learning about the recent dink-incident with the Xavier player, Jordan Crawford at a pick up game, where the King was temporarily de-throned. I was reminded that Lebron is not only young and human, but he is a corporation who is protecting his brand.

Of course the details are very sketchy as to whether Lebron was dunked on, because of course sources are saying the people from Just Do It land confiscated the tapes, or shall I say evidence, leaving dunk-master Jordan Crawford with no proof or bragging rights.

In my opinion, it was not a big deal, as Lebron is not really supposed to be taking on some college kid in a full-fletched dunk-fest, pursuant to contractual obligation with his team. I know for sure its standard with NFL contracts, to prevent off-season injuries.
So it’s easy for the Lebron non-believers to put on the heat. As long as he did not hurt himself in his quest to save his ego, his true fans are happy.

The only thing I disagree with is that Nike did not use that dunk as an opportunity to make another ad showing their pitchman as an underdog. Of course, society forces athletes to be almost near perfect in their everyday life on and off the field/court. Corporate sponsors are paying recession dollars for endorsements, so both the company and the athlete are on permanent notice of any less than perfect performance.

To me Lebron should have hailed the kid as a rising star; yes Jordan Crawford did rise to the occasion, isn’t that what life is all about? But the way it was handled, causes speculation about whether he is even expected to miss a dunk, he is not only a dumpster, he a mentor, volunteer, pro basketball player, father and all around, Nike should “Just Realized That” and “Witness That”.

Yao Ming Might Be Out For 2010 Season

The Houston Rockets had better throw a dinner party for all the players; so that they could serve up some good food with the bad news the team received on center Yao Ming’s left foot injury. According to reports, this injury could be severe enough to hold out the big man next season, and could even be career threatening. Ming will know the severity of the injury upon completion of the selected treatment method, which will be used.
According to Rockets’ team physician Tom Clanton, the injury has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career threatening. “One of the things we are trying to get is a consensus opinion on that, to make certain there is no option we are overlooking that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that he would prefer rather than doing additional surgery.”
Clanton, responding to a story on Yahoo Sports that reported that the Rockets and Yao representatives are concerned Yao will never play again, said that Yao could choose to try again to immobilize the foot in the hopes that the hairline fracture of the tarsal navicular bone would heal on its own, as several of his previous bone injuries have and doctors expected this time.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said that he would not comment until he knows all the facts. Yao is scheduled to meet with several specialists to consider a wide variety of options. Clanton declined to say what option he expects to recommend. Because Yao is entirely asymptomatic, there remains a hope that additional time in a boot or cast could allow the bone to heal on its own.
Yao had a pin inserted in the foot in February 2006 and was ready to play in the Olympics in less than six months, and in 77 regular-season games last season. Clanton, however, said there is concern that a more extreme procedure might be warranted, even though his current injury is considered less severe.
If Ming misses the entire season, we can safely say that the Rockets luck out on the deal involving Shaq. Although it is not clear whether Shaq would have elected to go to Houston in a trade. Even though Houston has managed to win without Ming, he is an integral part of their team. Hope he gets well soon.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know – What Is A Sixth Man?

The 2008-09 NBA Sixth Man Award Winner presented by Kia Motors

In the movies, the actor who steals the show and is actually on par with the leading man or woman is nominated for the “Best Supporting Role” at the Oscars. But in the game of basketball, the number of guys in the starting lineup is limited to only five. Therefore, the chance of having an equally skilled player on the bench is very likely and the chance of the player making an impact, is critical. Over the years, the NBA has celebrated with some of the best players, who have won the coveted award, which is awarded to the player who contributes the most from the bench. And so for all inquiring minds, this award is called The Sixth Man Award. In an era where egos live at large in sports, the sixth man has to believe in himself and his team, willing to sacrifice ego for the playing time given to him, and still hold it together to make that valued contribution. The Sixth Man is a leader, he is motivated, he is a shot caller, a playmaker, a baller and the ultimate teammate. This year, the honor to this “most wanted man off the bench” goes to the Dallas Maverick’s Jason Terry. Eligibility for this award requires that the nominee/player is one who comes off the bench, in more games than he has started. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

Terry received 576 of a possible 605 points, including 111 of a possible 121 first-place votes, from a panel of 121 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. J.R. Smith of the Denver Nuggets finished second with 155 points and Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks finished third with 113 points.

As part of its support of the Sixth Man of the Year Award, Kia Motors America will donate either a new Borrego SUV or Sedona minivan on behalf of Terry to the Rock T. Youth Foundation in Dallas. Kia Motors will present a brand new vehicle to the charity of choice of each of four 2008-09 season-end award winners as part of the “The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors.”

A sixth man in 63 of 74 games played this season, Terry averaged 19.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.6 minutes. He shot .463 from the field, .366 from beyond the three-point line and .880 from the free throw line. Among NBA leaders, Terry ranked 10th in three-pointers made (167), 11th in free throw percentage, 17th in steals, and tied for 22nd in scoring average.

This tenth-year veteran of the NBA averages more points than each of the last 18 Sixth Man of the Year winners and combined with Dirk Nowitzki for the third highest scoring average (45.5 ppg) among teammates. The 6-2 guard had 33 games in which he scored at least 20 points as a reserve and 26 contests in which he matched or outscored the opposing bench.

The 2008-09 NBA Sixth Man Award presented by Kia Motors is part of a series of on-court performance awards called “The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors.” The awards, which are part of a multi-year marketing partnership that makes Kia Motors America the official automotive partner of the NBA, also include the Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Improved Player Award. The series also includes the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors.