history, tried to clarify his comments with posts on Twitter, saying that Morey did not consider the “ramifications of the tweet” and that “my team and this league just went through a difficult week.”. James further incensed his critics when he added: “Yes, we do all have freedom of speech. Chris Mannix and Howard Beck on the on the start of the 2021 NBA season and more! Where is LeBron James The Decision: Backstory of The Decision. In all seriousness, was The Decision the most tactful thing LeBron has ever done? In other parts of the country, it was a moment some would like to forget. 'The Decision' revisited: How LeBron James used free agency to empower players to control their own narratives James was the first superstar to announce his decision … “The Decision” saw LeBron announce his decision to take his talents to the Miami Heat on live television, resulting in Cleveland Cavaliers fans burning … The program was an opportunity to boost his brand and drew intrigue from a large audience. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn. James went from a great player to a business titan, who made activism on certain social issues a part of his empire. Juli 2010 verkündet LeBron James seinen Wechsel von den Cleveland Cavaliers zu den Miami Heat. It’s why he paired with a master wordsmith like Lee Jenkins in 2014 to announce his intention to return to Cleveland. In fact, James suggested he didn’t care about backlash and that his popularity had declined when he started speaking out on various issues. Did James’s public image change overnight? After losing to the Magic in the 2009 conference finals, they decided they needed athletic wings, so they went out and got Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker, a shooting guard who simply could not shoot. So, while there may be some aspects he'd like to have back, overall The Decision looks better through the lens of history. If you don't remember, James was arguably the greatest free agent in NBA history. LeBron James' 'The Decision' remains one of the worst sports breakups in history Charlotte Wilder & Mark Titus remember LeBron James' infamous breakup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James Faces Backlash Unseen Since ‘The Decision’ The issues of China and protests in Hong Kong are far different from N.B.A. James drew … At the end of LeBron’s first stint, Cleveland was a directionless mess. The 4-time NBA Most Valuable Player, LeBron James featured in a documentary that aired live on ESPN 10 years ago called ‘The Decision’ in which he infamously announced his decision to join Miami Heat as a free agent and leaving his hometown club Cleveland Cavaliers. Perhaps the idea of an hour-long television special wasn’t exactly prudent, but as for the decision itself, LeBron should be commended, not condemned. Big Threes were all the rage, and LeBron, Love and Isaiah Thomas (who had come to Cleveland when Irving asked out) weren’t enough. LeBron James’ ”The Decision” show produced one of the most memorable moments in South Florida sports history. Moving to Miami may be the best thing he ever did. Several Chinese companies cut ties with the Rockets. He said he had been to China more than a dozen times in his career — usually with the league or one of his corporate sponsors like Nike, which counts China as its third largest market. Was he supposed to trust Dan Gilbert with his peak years? The way James went about The Decision will likely never be replicated, and with good reason. It caused an international row with the authoritarian Chinese government, and now threatens the partnership between the N.B.A. But 10 years on, I can’t imagine things working out better for everyone. They subsequently drafted Andrew Wiggins and Andrew Bennett—the latter of which was nothing to brag about, but they were both part of the package that brought Kevin Love to town once LeBron returned. / Are you ready to go LeBron? On the Chinese mainland, his comments have been met with enthusiasm. The LeBron James, Anthony Davis factor in Kyle Kuzma’s extension decision NBA Rockets star James Harden’s spicy IG post right after Adam Silver comments on trade request It has been almost a decade since the last time LeBron James faced widespread backlash. In the LeBron James Store, you can be a part of that commitment to being best with various versions of the bands LeBron wears each and every day as a reminder of this shared promise to lift each other up. LeBron James decision to play with the Miami Heat was a better one than his decision on how to announce it. And yet, the potential harm to James’s business interests caused by Morey’s Twitter post cannot reasonably be separated from his criticism of the general manager. After much build up during “The Decision” special on ESPN, James … I'll admit I was a little agitated after it aired too. His business empire has expanded past basketball and into entertainment, with his name helming dozens of television and film projects. After the 2018 Finals, it was almost a relief that he left; the prospect of watching the Cavs inevitably lose to the Warriors again and again was too much. A decade later, how should we feel about The Decision? Today marks the 10-year anniversary of LeBron James’s televised special, The Decision. championships and a settled legacy. And since the Cavs were winning (up until it mattered), they weren’t getting any help in the draft, unless you consider JJ Hickson helpful. The breadth of the criticism was unusual. LeBron James’ “The Decision” Explored in New Episode of Investigative Docuseries Backstory Pulitzer Prize-Winning Reporter Don Van Natta, Jr., Reveals Fresh Details Behind Controversial ESPN Program. Because of the backlash, we’ll probably never see something like it ever again. Aesthetics aside, James’ choice was clear. That the most famous basketball player in the world has, by some interpretations, lent support to the Chinese government’s position over that of an American basketball executive will not hurt in maintaining relationships — and profits — for basketballers in China. Ironically, by the end of James’s second stint in Cleveland, the Cavs sort of felt like the 2010 team. LeBron was open and honest about his move and clear on what he wanted to achieve with the Lakers in 2020. LeBron James führt die Lakers nach dem Tod von Kobe Bryant zum Ziel und überzeugt auch als Wortführer gegen Ungerechtigkeit. James left a middling basketball situation for a true chance at a dynasty, capitalizing on his talent as he hit the prime of his career. Nearly 10 years after LeBron James announced his decision to play for the Miami Heat on a live show on ESPN titled “The Decision,” the network revealed Saturday that … SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. James immediately regretted the ESPN TV special, which generated considerable backlash among fans across the NBA, who reacted by burning James' Cleveland Cavaliers jersey and calling the star out on social media. “He knew that it wasn’t about him,” James said, referring to Ali, adding that Ali knew that he would receive backlash and might go to jail. On this day, ten years ago, ESPN aired “The Decision” by LeBron James. The decision by LeBron Jame at the time came off as arrogant move by a rich spoiled athlete. Following the decision from Netflix, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James praised the company for taking down the show. The backlash to The Decision always mystified me. Am 8. Would James do it again? First the Cavs tried adding pretty good–level vets, like Larry Hughes, Mo Williams and Ben Wallace. Lebron James decides to take his talents to a place no other NBA star has. On July 8, 2010, LeBron James changed the landscape of the NBA for years to come with a few simple words. Fans who accused James of cowardice also charged him with hypocrisy. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to … Which is why I believe the Miami Heat pep rally actually rubbed more people the wrong way. Der SPORT1-Kommentar. The other played out mostly among basketball fans, though it changed the way that star N.B.A. The mass panic regarding LeBron James’ departure from Cleveland is almost laughable after a decade of reflection. That was in 2010, when James, after seven seasons in Cleveland, said during a special on ESPN titled “The Decision” that he was taking his talents to Miami, to play for the Heat. Somewhere in my 2011 Facebook feed is a conspiracy theory that the NBA would rig that year’s lottery for Cleveland to offset the loss of James. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers owner Daniel Gilbert used every word he could find to curse his former hero, calling him a … On a section of Reddit for Lakers fans, hundreds, if not thousands, of comments offered scathing words for James. Even a fellow player, Enes Kanter, a center for the Boston Celtics known to be politically outspoken, posted tweets that appeared to be directed toward James without naming him. All of that has combined to build him into a figure with arguably unparalleled influence in the history of the league. Maybe not. However, James may have helped the N.B.A. Nearly 10 years after LeBron James announced his decision to play for the Miami Heat on a live show on ESPN titled “The Decision,” the network revealed on Saturday that the idea for the show actually came from a fan. If anything, The Decision—which raised money for charity!—was ahead of its time. On the premiere of “The Shop” in 2018, James didn’t eschew a comparison to one of his idols, the boxer Muhammad Ali, a famed social justice crusader. On July 8, 2010, LeBron James transformed the NBA landscape when he announced his decision to join the Miami Heat. James was roundly criticized for the segment, which sparked a wide range of emotions among Cavaliers fans, many of whom burned LeBron jerseys in effigy. LeBron Raymone James (* 30.Dezember 1984 in Akron, Ohio) ist ein US-amerikanischer Basketballspieler, der seit der Saison 2018/19 bei den Los Angeles Lakers in der nordamerikanischen Profiliga NBA spielt. LeBron James Faces Backlash Unseen Since ‘The Decision’. June 29, 2018 11:41 AM On July 8, 2010, LeBron James transformed the NBA landscape when he announced his decision to join the Miami Heat. Ultimately, in the grand scheme of things it is hard to say it was a mistake, as James went to eight straight NBA Finals, became a champion in Miami and then made things right with Cleveland. NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Kevin Arnovitz, an NBA writer for ESPN, about how LeBron James' decision to take his talents to South Beach 10 years ago has changed the league. Despite that, this was the very first time that a player was so vocal about his decision and called the shots. That’s because I was too busy cheering, screaming, hugging friends, and calling family members in the immediate aftermath of his announcement. All Rights Reserved. The U.S. forward scored Werder Bremen's second goal in a 3-0 win over Hannover 96. LeBron James ‘The Decision’ to air on Sunday; Catch ‘behind the scenes’ footage in his infamous move to Miami Heat. (Farewell, Shaq and Antawn Jamison.) One of LeBron James' most controversial moments of his career came in 2010 when he made "The Decision" on live TV. To be able to have Chris Bosh and then LeBron James, to welcome us to his team, it's not about an individual here. NBA I remember waiting an absurd amount of time for the players to actually come on stage. In Hong Kong, protesters turned images of James into memes — including a depiction showing him embracing Chinese cash. And even as Lee Jenkins’s biggest fan and a current employee of Sports Illustrated, an orchestrated television stunt will always be more gripping than a letter. The word Judas was bandied about liberally. As speculation mounts that the NBA star will leave the Miami Heat and return to Cleveland, his latest announcement is already a guaranteed blockbuster. But nine years later, James, himself, has also changed. James has carefully cultivated an image of willingness to engage with political issues throughout his career, including stands on police shootings and a high-profile endorsement for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016. One of LeBron James' most controversial moments of his career came in 2010 when he made "The Decision" on live TV. Much like LeBron’s career as a whole, The Decision wasn’t perfect, but our lives are all more interesting for having experienced it. Still—James was crucified by many for the way he announced his intention to change jobs. Ditching the traditional method of just signing a new … Die Auswirkungen von "The Decision" waren immens. SpringHill Entertainment. When LeBron James attempted to bypass traditional media channels with 'The Decision,' fans were practically hardwired to reject it. Via that show he did with Jim Gray on ESPN, James raised 3.5 million U.S. dollars and donated all the money to charity. James’s announcement to head to Miami to pair with Dwyane … Of course. Then they got super specific in their noodling. Nearly 10 years after LeBron James announced his decision to play for the Miami Heat on a live show on ESPN titled “The Decision,” the network revealed Saturday that the idea for the show actually came from a fan. free agency. Of course not. LeBron James, one of the greatest players in N.B.A. In fact, everyone I had a conversation with was excited to see where he would go and if it would be their team (Sorry Knicks fans). Von 2010 bis 2014 war er für die Miami Heat aktiv. In other parts of the country, it was a moment some would like to forget. Plus, and this shouldn’t be forgotten either, it was decade-altering decision on the court. James also has more to lose in China than just sales from shoes or other basketball-related merchandise: His entertainment projects, like “Space Jam 2,” may be distributed in China, a significant market for Hollywood production studios like Warner Bros. and similarly for James’s brand itself. It definitely is not an ideal way to end a business relationship with your previous employer. I didn't talk to anyone who was upset going in. The scope of the backlash, compared with “The Decision,” is different for several reasons. If you don't remember, James was arguably the greatest free agent in NBA history. Free NBA Tickets: tinyurl.com/hothoopsA compilation of the best reactions after LeBron James announced his decision to join the Miami Heat. How should we feel about LeBron James's decision to head to the Miami Heat 10 years later? LeBron James’ ”The Decision” show produced one of the most memorable moments in South Florida sports history. The backlash for that was far different from what James, now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, faces after saying that Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, “wasn’t educated on the situation at hand” when he posted and then deleted an image on Twitter supporting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. But at times there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you’re not thinking about others and you’re thinking about yourself.”, He was denounced immediately, particularly across social media. “I also don’t think that every issue should be everybody’s problem.”. While James announced his decision to join Miami Heat, 'The Decision' TV special faced a lot of backlash, as people accused the current Los Angeles Lakers star of being selfish and seeking the spotlight.As per recent reports, the NBA star came to regret his decision immediately after it aired. free agency. It may seem hard to believe, but The Decision was just over 10 years ago. Multiple lawmakers, including Rick Scott and Josh Hawley — two Republican senators — criticized James for seemingly blaming Morey for the Chinese government’s actions. That type of spectacle is not needed in today's media landscape, but it is understandable why James chose to go that route. The Decision was made by LeBron James during a one hour televised broadcast on ESPN. The Heat got two rings. For some reason they added in Shaq at the last minute, and then crashed out of the playoffs against the Celtics. Ten years ago, LeBron James announced his decision to take his 'talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat' on national television. The issues of China and protests in Hong Kong are far different from N.B.A. Andy Hall Follow on Twitter June 22, 2020. We’re not talking about money. Nine years after “The Decision,” there are other cultural forces at play: Social media use is much more ubiquitous. And the Cavs were forced to tear their whole team down and start over. An upcoming episode of Backstory confirms that the idea behind ESPN's The Decision show came not from LeBron James but from a fan identified only as … One said: “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.”, James, one of the greatest players in N.B.A. And people should understand that human rights and people’s lives are in jeopardy. On July 8, 2010, LeBron James changed the landscape of the NBA for years to come with a few simple words. How LeBron James' Infamous Decision Changed The League Forever NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Kevin Arnovitz, an NBA writer for ESPN, about how LeBron James' decision … Yes, in July 2010, LeBron James announced on live television that he would leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and sign with the Miami Heat. 2020 has been full of unprecedented obstacles, sadness, revitalization and triumph, and that's been represented across multiple levels of the beautiful game. And more than that, James is different, in part because of that backlash from nine years ago. The Crossover staff looks back and analyzes. Ten years ago, LeBron James announced his decision to take his 'talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat' on national television. But James and Carter, who sat down for two extensive conversations, have more to say. I don’t think we can forget the millions James raised for charity that night, an impactful act of giving in a career filled with them. Ultimately, the Heat's 'Big Three' was a trio to remember—from the highlights, friendships and the iconic photo capturing Dwyane Wade celebrating James's dunk. Für sein erstes Team, die Cleveland Cavaliers, stand er von 2003 bis 2010, sowie von 2014 bis 2018 unter Vertrag. Fans may have been upset that James did not choose their team on The Decision, but ultimately he accomplished what he was trying to achieve. Everybody is on pins and needles across the country, particularly those teams who are in the running for LeBron James. Yes, in July 2010, LeBron James announced on live television that he would leave … Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, announcement to head to Miami to pair with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he paired with a master wordsmith like Lee Jenkins in 2014. 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