LeBron James is basketball’s most prominent athlete, and his power in the sports world is truly unparalleled.
But could it all be getting to “the King’s” head? As details emerge from the player’s meeting that took place yesterday, it is becoming apparent that Bron has been a major player in the discussions currently taking place.
And, according to Stephen A. Smith, some of his comments have really rubbed his peers the wrong way…
“He was speaking out of pocket and was talking to players in a fashion that really turned some of these young cats off . . . He came across as if he was the King with some crown.”
https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1299404732897939456
Stephen A. elaborated on the details of Bron’s “speech”
“His argument was that he was trying to say to the owners ‘we need y’alls support are y’all gonna do this for us, are y’all gonna do that for us, we need this’ and everybody was like ‘we’ve already agreed we’re willing to do whatever you need us to do to help you, what are you talking about? And, by the way, if you’re going to speak and call yourself a leader, why are you the last one to speak instead of the first one to speak?’
I don’t know if they told him that directly, but I know several people have communicated to me what transpired in that meeting, even folks that weren’t in that meeting have heard about the meeting. A lot of people have been talking about it in Orlando because of how he came across. He did not look good.”
LeBron James certainly has a stronger voice than most, and he’s obviously the face of the NBA. But, if we are to believe Stephen A.’s report, Bron is coming off as conceded, self-centered, or even delusional about his standing with his fellow players.
Power doesn’t always mean authority and while James is obviously a large voice within the basketball community, he doesn’t have to speak for the players and he certainly has no standing over them (unless it’s in a game, or in the GOAT conversation).
Of course, we should take these reports with a grain of salt. Because, ultimately, the only people who know what happened in the meeting are the players themselves, and none of them have come out to make a statement directly.
James better be careful, though, because his upstanding reputation may take a hit if that type of language continues.
