ESPN's favorite high school basketball player is no longer a high school basketball player. James' elibigility was revoked for accepting $800+ worth of free merchandise, in violation of Ohio's Athletic Association rules for amateur athletes.
I think it was the right decision, what do others think?
I agree that James probably knows the rules well enough that he screwed his teammates with his decision.
However, is the rule dumb? Why shouldn't he be able to take clothes for pictures? Especially when you consider that the high school puts his games on PPV. ESPN puts his games on. Tournaments sell tickets based on him being there. Can everyone make money off LeBron but LeBron? Who would be hurt by this type of transaction, if it wasn't against the rules? (It doesn't seem that people have problems with tennis players, or figure skaters, etc. getting rich off their talents in their high school years)
That's the same debate that's been going on in regards to NCAA athletes for years. I'm sure that the purpose of those rules are to ensure that the athletes keep their grades/school/graduating as their top priority, as opposed to playing for whoever is going to pay them the most or hook them up with the most free stuff.
That's the purpose anyway, whether it's working or not is a whole different issue all together.
Originally posted by ges7184I agree that James probably knows the rules well enough that he screwed his teammates with his decision.
However, is the rule dumb? Why shouldn't he be able to take clothes for pictures? Especially when you consider that the high school puts his games on PPV. ESPN puts his games on. Tournaments sell tickets based on him being there. Can everyone make money off LeBron but LeBron? Who would be hurt by this type of transaction, if it wasn't against the rules? (It doesn't seem that people have problems with tennis players, or figure skaters, etc. getting rich off their talents in their high school years)
(edited by ges7184 on 31.1.03 1902)
But the tennis players aren't claiming to be amateurs. Hell, now Lebron can go play for the Globetrotters on the side and make a few bucks before the NBA draft if he wants.
Bringing the French along in a war is like bringing an accordion along when you go hunting. All it provides is useless noise.
Maybe I'm giving James too much credit but think about this. Now that he's done with Highschool ball he can take that Addidas endorsement and start living the multi-millionaire life.
One thing that bothers me is how much sports clothing costs these days. First Darnell Dockett gets caught with 3 jerseys that exceed 1000$. Now we have 2 throwback jerseys going for 400 plus each. It's no wonder people have to steal or get these things given to them.
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Originally posted by BullittThis kid wouldn't last a day in the NCAA. Go pro, save yourself the hassle.
You're right... he won't. He lost any shot at NCAA eligibility over the summer, thanks to the whole shoe contract thing.
As for people asking why he got nailed for this, but not the Hummer... there weren't rules against the Hummer. This one was specifically mentioned in the bylaws... can't get clothing for free which is in excess of $100.
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But the tennis players aren't claiming to be amateurs. Hell, now Lebron can go play for the Globetrotters on the side and make a few bucks before the NBA draft if he wants.
Why does this matter? Hell, Lebron James probably doesn't give a rat's ass what you call him, professional or amateur. This really doesn't address the issue. 'Amateur' seems to be code for 'you can't make money but everyone else can.' Why is this a good thing?
DJ Frosty Freeze, your explanation would be easier to accept if players were, like, making the grades and graduating and stuff. (Or even if I thought the NCAA truly gave a crap about that)
But the tennis players aren't claiming to be amateurs. Hell, now Lebron can go play for the Globetrotters on the side and make a few bucks before the NBA draft if he wants.
Why does this matter? Hell, Lebron James probably doesn't give a rat's ass what you call him, professional or amateur. This really doesn't address the issue. 'Amateur' seems to be code for 'you can't make money but everyone else can.' Why is this a good thing?
DJ Frosty Freeze, your explanation would be easier to accept if players were, like, making the grades and graduating and stuff. (Or even if I thought the NCAA truly gave a crap about that)
i thought they couldn't take gifts in the NCAAs because that would lead to debated about point shaving and gambling and the like...
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One theory about NCAA eligibility rules is that the rules were put in place to keep costs of obtaining players low. I read this in a book on the cartel aspects of the NCAA in grad school, and they make a lot of sense. If you outlaw payments, nobody has to pay. I agree that there should be some sort of system to allow the athletes to enjoy some of the cash that they create, but until that time they should abide by the rules.
I think the ultimate problem is James' family. Every time I read something that quotes his mother I can vividly picture the dollar signs in her eyes. James' fame and talent at his age can probably be compared to that of Tiger Woods, but Woods was (and is) savvy enough to avoid the controversy that James has brought on himself. Granted, it seems that Woods' family had more financial resources than James' family, but other than a few "young guy" moments, Tiger has always handled himself well, and LeBron hasn't learned that trick yet.
On a juvenile side note, I snicker every time I hear someone talking about James being "given a Hummer". Hell, I remember my being given my first hummer, and I wouldn't trade it for any automobile.
Hahahaha. I can't wait for him to become the cancer of whatever team that is unlucky enough to draft him. The media have been giving him verbal bj's for the past year and have put him on such a pedistal that he will never live up to the hype.
Him being ticked about John Lucas is another joke. John Lucas was never a good coach to begin with. His record speaks for itself.
My pick for the team that gets the #1 pick: New York Knicks
Does anyone actually believe that Stern will let him play in a place like Cleveland, Denver, the Clippers, or Golden State?
Originally posted by ges7184DJ Frosty Freeze, your explanation would be easier to accept if players were, like, making the grades and graduating and stuff. (Or even if I thought the NCAA truly gave a crap about that)
That's still my best guess on where the rules came from. But again, whether it's actually working or not is a whole different issue all together. And I also believe that at some point, the NCAA truly did care about that stuff.
Well... now that a few reporters are also allowed backstage for the draft, in addition to NBA representatives and the security company, the draft can't be rigged... theoretically. If it were, and it could be proven, the media would be up in arms... you know how the press loves a scandal.
As it turns out, the way things are going New York will probably have a very good chance of getting the #1 pick anyway... now if they somehow come back and just miss the playoffs and get #1, then it's time to get suspicious. But even then, it's not outside the realm of probability.
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"'Bron walked in and he said, 'Let me know what you want','' Joyce said. "He's an 18-year-old kid. What's he supposed to do.''
At the time, James was unaware of the consequences of accepting the free gifts, Joyce said.
"He didn't think it was a big deal, so he said, 'I'm going to take the jerseys back.' He wanted to do the right thing. I applaud him for that.''
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hmmm...if he was so "unaware of the consequences," then i wonder what the to-do about the hummer was all about...
guess he didn't put 2 and 2 together...
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James didn't come on the school's team bus to sold out Rhodes Arena at the University of Akron, arriving about an hour before tipoff flanked by campus police and some of his own security personnel.
HIS OWN SECURITY PERSONNEL? Well, it's official...this has gotten completely out of hand. My God...
(edited by Bullitt on 3.2.03 1618) "No team that has lost in the first round of the playoffs has ever gone on to win the Super Bowl." - Dave Letterman, January 6, 2003.
Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreezeThe only explanation for that I can think of is maybe he's had problems when visiting that school in the past??
Nope. This was a "home game" for his school, played at U. of Akron's gym so the school can funnel more people into a gym, and, therefore, more money out of this kid.
"No team that has lost in the first round of the playoffs has ever gone on to win the Super Bowl." - Dave Letterman, January 6, 2003.
But, as a fan on the '86 Celtics, I am glad that the Kings didn't do it. 40-1 at home...not to shabby. I still say that's the best team of all time. I'm sure the LA and Chicago fans have some beef with that remark, but I stand by it!