I am a contrarian. I have no problem admitting that. I have often found myself disliking something simply because most people like it. This trait has shown itself most often in my dislike of many major sports stars. If you think back to many of the huge athletes of the past 40 years or so, you will find many on my list of athletes I just don’t like. I am not talking about the trouble-making, law-breaker types. I am talking about the international superstars. From Michael Jordan to Cal Ripken to Mario Lemieux, if most people love the guy, I feel the opposite. Despite that, until very recently, I had nothing against Lebron James. I wouldn’t say I was a big fan, but I had nothing against the guy. He is clearly a superior basketball player, and he always seemed to be a decent enough guy. I never rooted against him. Until now, that is. As of the other day, when that toweringly narcissistic press conference occurred, I am now firmly in the camp of those who hope he never wins a championship.

The fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who spent seven years idolizing their hometown (or close enough) star, got the biggest flipping off I have ever seen from a current big-time athlete. James not only chose to sign with the Miami Heat over resigning with the Cavs, he did it on nation television in front of every schmuck that ESPN could get to watch. He did it in the most disrespectful fashion he could devise, choosing to completely ignore the city that had so dedicated itself to him, and choosing, rather, to “take his talents to South Beach.” James will join Dwyane Wade and the newly acquired Chris Bosh on basketball’s version of the New York Yankees. There is so much wrong with what just happened, I hardly know where to begin.

When I first heard that ESPN would be holding a one hour “special” to allow Lebron to announce the team for whom he would next play, I was astonished at the idea that a press conference was apparently not self-congratulatory enough for this guy. Granted, the “World Wide Leader” was just as culpable here, happy to gain a few more eyeballs on a Thursday night, with no thought paid to the farce they would be foisting upon any intelligent sports fan. James, though, is the real creep here. He continually referred to himself in the third person throughout the interview, which is always a bad sign in my book. He clearly believes his own press. If the public wants to nickname you “King James,” it’s one thing. Calling yourself the King? That’s another. I know this guy has been coddled and had his butt kissed for as long as he can remember, so I guess it’s not a shock that he has lost all touch with reality. It’s easy, though, to hope that same reality decided to give him a solid smack in the face before too long.

The most amazing part of this is that it seems like a bit of a no-win situation for James. In his quest to be considered the greatest basketball player ever, he has put himself into a spot where he is unlikely to ever achieve that designation. If he wins in Miami, people will say that he was unwilling to be “the guy.” He needed other superstars on his team to take the heat off of him. If he doesn’t win, people will consider this all a colossal failure, and they will hold Lebron accountable. I could not be happier to see him in this position. His handling of his free-agency has turned a lot more than the fans of Cleveland against him. Sure, plenty of the fans lap this stuff up. A lot of us don’t, though. Many people are smart enough to see when someone takes himself just a little too seriously. Legions of basketball fans will now root against James’ every move. Count me among them.

As far as ESPN goes, they got what they wanted. Something for us all to talk about for a bit while they rev up the next Brett Favre story. We are sure to hear about little else until this other guy, who clearly considers himself a “king,” decides whether or not he will grace us with his presence for another inevitably disappointing season. I can’t wait.

Bad sports, continued:

2) Jamarcus Russell, once the first overall pick in the NFL draft and currently unemployed, was arrested on Monday for possession of illegal narcotics. Russell was released by Oakland during the off-season after several disappointing seasons. This story is sure to get worse before it ever gets better.

3) A Texas Rangers fan was injured on Tuesday when he fell from the second deck at the Rangers’ stadium while attempting to catch a foul ball. I have been wanting to catch a foul ball for as long as I can remember, but I am pretty sure I wouldn’t risk my life to do so.

4) Continuing one of the worst off-seasons for a major college football power in recent memory, USC had another bad week. Just weeks after being served with serious sanctions for past infractions by the NCAA, the Trojans got more egg on their faces this week when they were forced to apologize to several other major universities after falsely accusing them of illegally contacting one of their players in attempts to get the player to transfer out of the soon-to-be-on-probation school. They apparently had bad information, and contacted the schools in question, including the University of Florida, to apologize.

5) I have mostly been staying away from the latest Michael Vick story, as my opinion of him is pretty well-covered ground on this site. Still, I feel like he deserves some mention. This week, the people handling the terms of his probation stated that he can not leave the state of Pennsylvania for some unknown period of time due to the issues he ran into during his now-famous party in Virginia a few weeks back. Vick, though, neglected to tell the organizers of a couple of events being held in his name this weekend, and for which he had already been paid to attend. Instead, those folks got a middle-of-the-night call from one of his hangers-on to state he would not be able to attend. At least one of those organizers took it pretty personally, calling out Vick for selfishness. The best part, of course, is this couple of sentences:

He said the camp was built around Vick’s appearance, and that campers paid $175 each and were promised packages that included photos and autographs.

“I’m upset because our camp is built on integrity and character and that’s what we teach to our kids,” Corprew said.

Wow. He built a camp around Vick’s appearance, and then states that the camp is built on integrity and character. I find it hard to feel bad for this guy.

Good sports:

1) In my lone Good Sports story of the week, David Reutimann, a good guy and good racer by all accounts, won the second Sprint Cup race of his career on Saturday night. As his first win came in a rain-shortened race where he was clearly not the best car, this one gives him a win that no one can take away from him. He simply beat the best cars out there and brought it home. Nice work.

Bad Sports, Good Sports appears every Monday

• Author Bio
• Latest Posts

Alan Spoll

Alan Spoll is a software quality assurance director from the suburbs of Philadelphia where he lives with his wonderful wife and children. He has spent his entire life as a passionate fan of the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and Penn State. Recent Phillies success aside, you will understand his natural negativity. Follow me on Twitter - @DocAlan02

Latest posts by Alan Spoll (Posts)

• Pereira comments on “Philly Special” a total waste of time - February 14, 2018
• BSGS News Brief: Tom Brady beats the NFL - September 3, 2015
• BSGS News Brief: Geno Smith gets his jaw broken by a punch - August 16, 2015
• BSGS News Brief – Oh, Vanderbilt. Really? - August 6, 2015
• BSGS News Brief – Sheldon Richardson hits the Bad Sports wire in a big way - July 31, 2015

Tags: bad sports, good sports // 2 Comments »