In the press conference after the Los Angeles’ Lakers premature exit from the NBA Playoffs a couple of weeks ago, LeBron James answered questions about whether or not he would be competing in the summer Olympics.
“I think I’m going to play for the Tune Squad this summer instead of the Olympics,” James, referencing “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” said with a straight face before later smiling in his answer late Thursday night after a season-ending defeat to the Phoenix Suns. “I think that’s what my focus [is] on, trying to beat the Monstars, or the Goon Squad we call them now. So, didn’t have much success versus the Suns, so now I am gearing my attention to the Goon Squad here in July, mid-July.”
James is a smart guy. For all we know in his contract with Warner Brothers he had to promote Space Jam one way or another in his last press conference of the season. But Laker fans are in an uproar, citing that Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson or the late Kobe Bryant would never say that after an early exit in the playoffs.
As a matter of fact, when Jordan was filming the original “Space Jam” in the summer of 1995 and trained for five hours with other top players such as Patrick Ewing, Dennis Rodman and Reggie Miller in what would become known as the “Jordan Dome.” It is worth noting this was the summer after Jordan quit baseball, came back to the Bulls and had an early exit.
While I do give James a slight benefit of doubt, the optics of the comments are not good.
James’ move to L.A. a couple of years ago was received as a business-basketball move. James’ brand has reached beyond the game of basketball and he now dabbles in Hollywood, endorsements, music, tequila and sports management.
None of that is a bad thing, but again: optics. Are you more into basketball or business?
Let’s go to another potential GOAT, Tom Brady. After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won this year’s Super Bowl, he did enjoy the victory and likely had a Super Bowl-sized hangover from partying.
But six days after the game, Brady tweeted, “Back to Work. #EyesOn8.” Brady also has endorsements and owns the TB12 fitness brand, but aside from that, he appears to eat, breathe and sleep football.
Do I believe James was angry after the early playoff exit? I find it hard to believe he wasn’t. But he could have waited another week or two to start promoting “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” which I absolutely plan to go see in theaters when it comes out July 16.
John Lee is the editor of The Pampa News and can be reached at pampanewseditor@gmail.com or find him on Twitter: @jcl1987.
