AJ Adande is a mad black sports reporter. He was a heated talking head on ESPN's Around the Horn the day after Lebron James announced he was heading to the Miami Heat from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Why can't black players conspire to determine whether they want to join forces for one franchise? Why does Lebron have to call the Cavs owner to say he's leaving after seven years when said owner wouldn't be pressed by his peers to do the same before trading James? Why can't Lebron conspire with ESPN and his sponsors to buy an hour of TV dedicated to promoting himself, his Vitamin Water, his interviews with a multiracial and dual gender set of (all ESPN) reporters while he makes cash and history? Why can't he when he proved he can, Adande kept repeating.
I kinda agree. I have a few friends who felt James dissed Cleveland and reinforced the image of the arrogant athlete. But I don't know, I think the better question is why did we watch (another point Adande was trying to make). And we watched because we like spectacle: that's what TV is about (until I return as the reincarnation of Phil Donahue, baby!).
I am really happy for Dwayne Wade. I am tickled by Pat Riley's fierce determination to make sure Phil Jackson is not the person whose name gets mentioned before Pat's in every coach's conversation. I am ignorant about the skills of Chris Bosh. I am curious about which other players will join the Heat's roster. I am probably going to buy not a James jersey (I do already own a King James t-shirt), but I'll get a Wade item.
I don't have other emotions besides those. As a move, I think Lebron made out fine. Miami is a sexier town to win a championship in than Cleveland. He could have stayed in Ohio, players would have joined him and tried to help him get some titles. But Miami victories will be more fun. I love Newport News, but nobody can tell me it's the same charge getting a show there as the Big Apple, LA or ... London.
Phil Donahue moved his show from Ohio to New York City, and if Phil tired of the little markets, I mean, who would think a 25-year-old NBA star wouldn't?
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