How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

[GSW]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

NO...you're wrong, it's because he's held to a higher standard.

Whether or not you as an athlete want to take the Charles Barkley "I'm not a role model" is irrelevant to the fact that by DEFUALT you ARE a role model.

You HAVE a responsibility whether you decide to accept it or not.

We ALL have a responsibility as adults to be a role-model for children, not just OUR OWN. If you fail to realize that then you are part of the problem as well.

As a Marine I was always held to a higher standard than other servicemen. It wasn't my choice, it was because of my responisbility to the Corps, it's virtues, and the people of this great nation. The same concept is given to us as adults, and to those in positions such as Lebron.

It's your responsiblity whether you like it or not, and whether you decide accept it or not; and quite a few chose to NOT accept it - which is why this country is spiraling into a ME ME ME society and there is no community.

Lebron, being an even more polarizing figure, has a enormous amount of responsibility. Jordan understood this, other great athletes did, and they were positive role-models; at least during our childhood.

Having walked off the court is one thing, BUT THEN to make a statement to the media basically reinterating he believes himself to be right and seemingly justifying his actions w/ some BS about being a competitor...is "THE KICKER".

Sending a freaking email to congratulate Dwight? That's a bitch move. You confront the man who just defeated you w/ humility, and you show him the proper respect. You take that inside, hold on to that feeling of defeat, and unleash it the next time you face off.

You don't storm off the court, talking to no one if you're presumably the face of the franchise, and then days later make statements about how "I'm a winner, I'm a competitor"...So what? Dwight isn't? Countless others aren't? What the guys who shake hands are sissy's?

It's funny how some are trying to justify it that way as if to make themselves feel better because they're what? Essentially the that Lebron has proven to be? ....TWICE.




Yes...it was. And who cares who wrote it, and what their track record is (as Ehh so pointed out). It doesn't diffuse the article as being any less true.



Those two paragraphs are very good.

"I'm a Witness."



Agreed.



Dur de Dur.



That just is laughable IMO, and the folks dismissing Lebron see nothing wrong in that? Nothing "female"?



.

i guess mike was being a role model by all the gambling and cheating on his wife too huh?

....

yall funny man.

[JBH3]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

i guess mike was being a role model by all the gambling and cheating on his wife too huh?

....

yall funny man.

When did all that come out...I CLEARLY STATED "Childhood". And yea...I'm disappointed in MJ for that stuff, but he did what was right when he was a player and for the youth of his time.

Let's not be ignorant to those facts OK.

[PrettyT11]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

Now take my wife's 7 classes in a rural/suburban area of VA, and extrapolate that across our great nation. You now have a plethora of youth who feel the same as Lebron does...He has a responsiblity to do the right thing, and if not...make ammends when he DOES speak to the press about saying he was wrong, and not continueing a further downward spiral of arrogance etc.

This is where I think it is getting blown overboard. You already stated that your wife works in a less than great area and some if not most of her students are from single parent households. So if that is the case do you think that they could have felt that way BEFORE this happened or they didn't have proper sportsmanship ORIGINALLY??

Granted LeBron didn't help them by doing this but to think he is THE reason those kid said they wouldn't do it is foolish. It could very easily be thier environment, people they interact with, or them NEVER being taught the RIGHT way to do it. Everybody has already stated they learned this playing ORGANIZED ball and that is where it starts. Who is to say those kids have ever played anything other than on the street and that definantly isn't the place to see proper sportsmanship.

It is obvious LeBron was wrong in this manner there is no defending that but I also believe like some others in here that it is getting blown WAY overboard. With all the name calling and foolish/hilarious judgements with no proof is just . To say this guy is completely classless, gutless, or any of those other things from ONE incident is wrong and very small minded. Nobody is judged off ONE mistake and we should wait and see how he acts in the future before we want to start people unjustified labels on the kid. A year from now hell a week or two from now this will all be forgotten.

[JBH3]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

This is where I think it is getting blown overboard. You already stated that your wife works in a less than great area and some if not most of her students are from single parent households. So if that is the case do you think that they could have felt that way BEFORE this happened or they didn't have proper sportsmanship ORIGINALLY??

Granted LeBron didn't help them by doing this but to think he is THE reason those kid said they wouldn't do it is foolish. It could very easily be thier environment, people they interact with, or them NEVER being taught the RIGHT way to do it. Everybody has already stated they learned this playing ORGANIZED ball and that is where it starts. Who is to say those kids have ever played anything other than on the street and that definantly isn't the place to see proper sportsmanship.

It is obvious LeBron was wrong in this manner there is no defending that but I also believe like some others in here that it is getting blown WAY overboard. With all the name calling and foolish/hilarious judgements with no proof is just . To say this guy is completely classless, gutless, or any of those other things from ONE incident is wrong and very small minded. Nobody is judged off ONE mistake and we should wait and see how he acts in the future before we want to start people unjustified labels on the kid. A year from now hell a week or two from now this will all be forgotten.

The PROBLEM is those kids are ignorant, and Lebron -- A polarizing figure -- only JUSTIFIES their ignorance.

That's THE problem...I never stated that they were perfect and now, given Lebron's actions, it's all his fault. You can't quote me anywhere saying that, but you can twist my words/context to suit your argument.

It's the fact that he just breeds more ignorance into an alreay compounded problem.

[GSW]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

When did all that come out...I CLEARLY STATED "Childhood". And yea...I'm disappointed in MJ for that stuff, but he did what was right when he was a player and for the youth of his time.

Let's not be ignorant to those facts OK.

i pointed this out because you brought up michaels name when talking about being a role model and leader, since you were so dissapointed in lebron not shaking hands with someone after a game.

it is ridiculous to then berate the dude, and bring michael jordan of all people up when he was doing things you wouldnt want ANYONE to follow... even on court...fighting steve kerr and things of that nature.

Lebron was wrong for not going to the media...you can make a case for him being "wrong" for not shaking hands...

but anything more than that is just sniping.

[PrettyT11]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

The point was, as Dwight himself put it, it was disrespectful to him and to his team, to create the reality through puppet use, that Lebron and Kobe would automatically meet in the finals, without having beaten their opponents yet. Kind of like annointing someone a king that hasn't won anything yet.

But how is a NIKE commercial disrespectful to Dwight and the Magic?? It's not like it was an NBA commercial or a commercial done by a company that DWIGHT or the MAGIC is involved with. Now correct me if I'm wrong but not ONE TIME in ANY of those commercials did it say that Kobe and LeBron would be playing in the Finals. On top of that the second commercial was Kobe making fun of LeBron for NOT winning any championships. Lastly the commercials where about MVP'S not the finals, not the Lakers, or the Cavs. It was all aout those two being the last two MVP's. So if Dwight was an MVP or an Nike endorser then he should feel bad but since he is NOT then he shouldn't feel ANYTHING about it at all.

Yea. IMO not shaking hands is bad, but his response his much MUCH worse. And that's where I hold my main concerns, because he had every chance to make ammends but still refused to accept his defeat and give due credit to his opponent.

As for the labelings...that was the result of people either making it seem as others were blowing this out of proportion, or being "too emotional".

Which is ironic seeing as how all the female emotions came from Lebron and his actions, not from people like I or Brankles who stand for facing our defeater and "Manning-up" to being beaten.

But he did accept defeat and gave them credit. He said they kicked his ***. Granted his approach and what he said wasn't right but he did say they kicked his ***.

But the part I find funny is you are saying people are being too emotional and then yet you turn around and go on and on about how LeBron is acting like a girl or a bitch. So let me ask you this. Leaving the court right after a crushing loss is acting like a girl?? Acting like a girl or a bitch would be standing on the court crying or running around making excuses for the loss. He was pissed and left. Being mad and leaving without speaking is just that. I didn't that equaled being a girl or a bitch. Leaving without talking to the press is somewhat wrong but I didn't know NOT talking made you a girl or a bitch. Again being a girl or a bitch would be sitting there crying, pouting, and making a excuses and saying they really didn't beat you.

Yes he was wrong for his actions but to say he was acting like a girl or a bitch is just as wrong. Calling him ANYTHING outside of a poor loser or showing bad sportsmanship in THIS incident is going overboard.

[KG]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

Yea. IMO not shaking hands is bad, but his response his much MUCH worse. And that's where I hold my main concerns, because he had every chance to make ammends but still refused to accept his defeat and give due credit to his opponent.

As for the labelings...that was the result of people either making it seem as others were blowing this out of proportion, or being "too emotional".

Which is ironic seeing as how all the female emotions came from Lebron and his actions, not from people like I or Brankles who stand for facing our defeater and "Manning-up" to being beaten.

We wouldn't be the ones NOT confronting face to face, the person who beat us and shaking their hands. We wouldn't be the ones sending congratulatory emails...which no one on the other side of the fence has yet to comment on.



Please allow me to give you a little hip pocket class on leadership.

There are 14 leadership traits, each one being important in thier own right, but a few being more significant than others. I'm not trying to speak all high and mighty ok...just follow along because this will be a good bit of information.

14 Leadership Traits:

Justice, Judgement, Dependability, Intiative, Decisiveness, Tact, Integrity, Enthusiasm, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, Endurance.

Out of the 14 the most significant are Integrity and Courage.

Integrity:

Definition: Integrity means that you are honest and truthful in what you say or do. You put honesty, sense of duty, and sound moral principles above all else.

Courage:

Definition: Courage is what allows you to remain calm while recognizing fear. Moral courage means having the inner strength to stand up for what is right and to accept blame when something is your fault. Physical courage means that you can continue to function effectively when there is physical danger present.


In addition I put a significant stock into these too:

Loyalty:

Definition: Loyalty means that you are devoted to your country, the Corps, and to your seniors, peers, and subordinates. The motto of our Corps is Semper Fidelis!, (Always Faithful). You owe unwavering loyalty up and down the chain of command, to seniors, subordinates, and peers.

Unselfishness:
Definition: Unselfishness means that you avoid making yourself comfortable at the expense of others. Be considerate of others. Give credit to those who deserve it.

Given the first two in mind, Lebron showed nothing of this in one of his most career defining moments to date. The 2nd two I also hold dear as defining leadership traits, and I'd say that he was more selfish (by not giving credit to those who deserve it), than unloyal.

You might not try to speak all high & mighty but you definately come across that way with a lot of your posts. It's why people call your posts rants.

I respect your post and wherever you took the information from but I was just stating that there isn't 1 single blueprint for a leader. I only wrote the quality I would look for from a player on a basketball court who was labeled as the leader. Of all the 14 qualities you wrote (which are all very respectful) I would want my leader to be able to lead by his play on the court. This is why the best players are often looked to as leaders.

[PrettyT11]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

The PROBLEM is those kids are ignorant, and Lebron -- A polarizing figure -- only JUSTIFIES their ignorance.

That's THE problem...I never stated that they were perfect and now, given Lebron's actions, it's all his fault. You can't quote me anywhere saying that, but you can twist my words/context to suit your argument.

It's the fact that he just breeds more ignorance into an alreay compounded problem.

Wow and I will say it again WOW. So now these same kids who haven't been TAUGHT the RIGHT WAY to do something are ignorant?? Come man I expected more from you than that. To just flat out say somebody who hasn't been taught they right way to do something is ignorant is a very ignorant thing to say. You can't expect somebody to do things they haven't been taught to do. That is why they are IN school or play ORGANIZED ball is to LEARN THE RIGHT WAY TO DO SOMETHING.

When you joined the Marines you didn't know everything about thier policies and procedures but I bet you didn't call yourself ignorant for it.

Oh and you said it was LeBron's fault. You said the kids in her class said they wouldn't do it to. Then proceded to go on and on about how it's his fault and he is sending the wrong message to kids, being a horrible role model, and setting a trend for more to come.

[JBH3]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

i pointed this out because you brought up michaels name when talking about being a role model and leader, since you were so dissapointed in lebron not shaking hands with someone after a game.

it is ridiculous to then berate the dude, and bring michael jordan of all people up when he was doing things you wouldnt want ANYONE to follow... even on court...fighting steve kerr and things of that nature.

Lebron was wrong for not going to the media...you can make a case for him being "wrong" for not shaking hands...

but anything more than that is just sniping.

Well...at least MJ knew how to accept defeat, and was modest enough to show respect and give credit to his opponent.

But he did accept defeat and gave them credit. He said they kicked his ***. Granted his approach and what he said wasn't right but he did say they kicked his ***.

But the part I find funny is you are saying people are being too emotional and then yet you turn around and go on and on about how LeBron is acting like a girl or a bitch. So let me ask you this. Leaving the court right after a crushing loss is acting like a girl?? Acting like a girl or a bitch would be standing on the court crying or running around making excuses for the loss. He was pissed and left. Being mad and leaving without speaking is just that. I didn't that equaled being a girl or a bitch. Leaving without talking to the press is somewhat wrong but I didn't know NOT talking made you a girl or a bitch. Again being a girl or a bitch would be sitting there crying, pouting, and making a excuses and saying they really didn't beat you.

Yes he was wrong for his actions but to say he was acting like a girl or a bitch is just as wrong. Calling him ANYTHING outside of a poor loser or showing bad sportsmanship in THIS incident is going overboard.

Having done it twice now, running off the court, not facing your opponent w/ respect and humility, not confronting them aka "manning-up", in your "darkest hour" so-to speak.

If it isn't being a female, it's being a coward.

Which would you prefer?

Oh and my female remarks stem more from the congratulatory email to Dwight than anything else... :wink:

[Kully]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

imo, not shaking hands just makes him a poor loser. I won't go as far as saying he's classless or anything like that. Just a sore loser.

LBJ has always seemed to me like a bit arrogant, but most top athletes are like that, so it doesn't make me feel any worse or better about him.

The excuse he came up with later was lol worthy. The not shaking hands part didn't bother me at all.

[GSW]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

Well...at least MJ knew how to accept defeat, and was modest enough to show respect and give credit to his opponent.



Having done it twice now, running off the court, not facing your opponent w/ respect and humility, not confronting them aka "manning-up", in your "darkest hour" so-to speak.

If it isn't being a female, it's being a coward.

Which would you prefer?

Oh and my female remarks stem more from the congratulatory email to Dwight than anything else... :wink:

after tim duncan whopped his *** he shook his hand, and embraced in a hug... IIRC

[JBH3]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

after tim duncan whopped his *** he shook his hand, and embraced in a hug... IIRC

I guess he didn't have the since of entitlement then as he does now.

[Jasong7777]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

i heard one radio guy in L.A say LeBron needs to go on Oprah and aplogize... he was dead serious.

[tehova]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

"build me up, break me down, build me up again, they like Hov we need u back...so we can kill your (behind) again"

- Jay z Grammy Family Freestyle Hot 97/Funkmaster Flex

[Jasong7777]

Re: How do you feel about congratulating your opponent after a loss?

Lebron was wrong for not going to the media...you can make a case for him being "wrong" for not shaking hands...

I think that is all everyone is trying to do for the most part. But you have some trying to justify his actions, and imo there is none. It's not a huge issue like some making it out to be, but it does show that Lebron has some issues with sportmanship.