Paladin55 wrote:

tkf wrote:
I hate that, I really thought lebron was more grounded than this... His little crew has gotten way too much credit for what lebron has. From what I read, his previous agent was the one who set up all the deals, sprite, nike, etc... and then lebron drops him.... Lebron is very important to the NBA.. One thing he will realize is that the NBA and pro sports in general is well known for eating it's own..

That is interesting- probably a power struggle, and the James' crew won and pushed the guy aside. I would like to hear the gossip/details on that one, if true.

LeBron James fires agent, 3 friends to take over
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | 12:06 PM ET
CBC Sports
LeBron James has terminated his relationship with agent Aaron Goodwin, the man who made him one of the richest athletes in North America.
James, considered the NBA's biggest young star, sent a letter to the players' association on Monday informing them he had ended his relationship with Goodwin, union spokesman Dan Wasserman said.

The all-star guard with the Cleveland Cavaliers is expected to turn over his management duties to three close friends.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard LeBron James, seen in action this season, dropped his agent Aaron Goodwin on Monday in favour of three friends. (AP File Photo)

The decision to drop Goodwin is a bit surprising, as the agent has negotiated over $135 million US in endorsement deals for the 20-year-old ball player since he was chosen No. 1 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.

The biggest of those deals was arguably a $90 million contract from Nike on the eve of the draft lottery, which was the richest initial shoe contract offered to an athlete.

Goodwin also helped James land multimillion deals with Upper Deck, Coca-Cola, Bubbilicous and Juice Batteries.

It's anticipated that James's close friend Maverick Carter, a former teammate at Akron, Ohio's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School who currently is employed by Nike, will take over some of the management duties.

Two other friends, Randy Mihms and Rich Paul, will also be on James's payroll.

Mihms currently serves as James's personal assistant and road manager and Paul is a "close confidant." According to Associated Press, James and his three longtime friends call themselves the "Four Horsemen."

Goodwin, who also represents Portland guard Damon Stoudamire, Orlando rookie Dwight Howard, Boston guard Gary Payton and Knicks guard Jamal Crawford, formed a relationship with James in the player's senior year of high school.

James is currently the fourth-highest-paid athlete endorser in the world. Only golfer Tiger Woods ($90 million per year), Formula One driver Michael Schumacher ($50 million) and soccer star David Beckham ($35 million) are paid more outside of their respective sports

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/05/10/james_agent050510.html#ixzz0uwhD3CXD

franco12 wrote:

Paladin55 wrote:

DrAlphaeus wrote:This stuff is starting to sound like some weird hip-hop basketball version of Caligula. A flying waiter? You weren't happy with the ninja waiters at Ninja New York homie?

Good one. I'm a history teacher and have sat through that movie once or twice- jealous that I did not see the analogy.

If we're going academic, how about MacBeth?

He needs a crazy wife first.

Panos wrote:

franco12 wrote:

Paladin55 wrote:

DrAlphaeus wrote:This stuff is starting to sound like some weird hip-hop basketball version of Caligula. A flying waiter? You weren't happy with the ninja waiters at Ninja New York homie?

Good one. I'm a history teacher and have sat through that movie once or twice- jealous that I did not see the analogy.

If we're going academic, how about MacBeth?

He needs a crazy wife first.

Bosh, with his extensions?

nyk4ever wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

TMS wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

DrAlphaeus wrote:This stuff is starting to sound like some weird hip-hop basketball version of Caligula. A flying waiter? You weren't happy with the ninja waiters at Ninja New York homie?

First thing that crossed my mind. The guy hasn't won **** yet and still "the king" keeps throwing himself victory parties. And whats the deal with the fake dribbling through the casino? Talk about starved for attention. They might as well have poured a 40 for his rep. The more I read about him the less I like.

Lebron is a creation of the ass kissers that have surrounded him his entire career... if this kid had been brought up in the right atmosphere & had the right mentors, i don't think he'd be this overbearing or obnoxiously narcissistic... i really hope John Wall doesn't fall victim to the same kinda self adoration that has clearly infected Lebron's psyche.

I agree TMS. He seemed mature beyond his years when he first started in the league, now not so much.

watching PTI right now, mike kryzweski is on talking about Team USA and he was beyond overly-enthusiastic about just how great of a person and competitor that kevin durant is. the difference between him and lebron is just night and day. thank god there is someone like kevin durant in this league right now.

Dwight Howard seems like a humble guy too, even though he does like to joke around & have fun... i think he's another positive role model for kids to emulate in the NBA.

CrushAlot wrote:

Paladin55 wrote:

tkf wrote:
I hate that, I really thought lebron was more grounded than this... His little crew has gotten way too much credit for what lebron has. From what I read, his previous agent was the one who set up all the deals, sprite, nike, etc... and then lebron drops him.... Lebron is very important to the NBA.. One thing he will realize is that the NBA and pro sports in general is well known for eating it's own..

That is interesting- probably a power struggle, and the James' crew won and pushed the guy aside. I would like to hear the gossip/details on that one, if true.

LeBron James fires agent, 3 friends to take over
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | 12:06 PM ET
CBC Sports
LeBron James has terminated his relationship with agent Aaron Goodwin, the man who made him one of the richest athletes in North America.
James, considered the NBA's biggest young star, sent a letter to the players' association on Monday informing them he had ended his relationship with Goodwin, union spokesman Dan Wasserman said.

The all-star guard with the Cleveland Cavaliers is expected to turn over his management duties to three close friends.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard LeBron James, seen in action this season, dropped his agent Aaron Goodwin on Monday in favour of three friends. (AP File Photo)

The decision to drop Goodwin is a bit surprising, as the agent has negotiated over $135 million US in endorsement deals for the 20-year-old ball player since he was chosen No. 1 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.

The biggest of those deals was arguably a $90 million contract from Nike on the eve of the draft lottery, which was the richest initial shoe contract offered to an athlete.

Goodwin also helped James land multimillion deals with Upper Deck, Coca-Cola, Bubbilicous and Juice Batteries.

It's anticipated that James's close friend Maverick Carter, a former teammate at Akron, Ohio's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School who currently is employed by Nike, will take over some of the management duties.

Two other friends, Randy Mihms and Rich Paul, will also be on James's payroll.

Mihms currently serves as James's personal assistant and road manager and Paul is a "close confidant." According to Associated Press, James and his three longtime friends call themselves the "Four Horsemen."

Goodwin, who also represents Portland guard Damon Stoudamire, Orlando rookie Dwight Howard, Boston guard Gary Payton and Knicks guard Jamal Crawford, formed a relationship with James in the player's senior year of high school.

James is currently the fourth-highest-paid athlete endorser in the world. Only golfer Tiger Woods ($90 million per year), Formula One driver Michael Schumacher ($50 million) and soccer star David Beckham ($35 million) are paid more outside of their respective sports

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/05/10/james_agent050510.html#ixzz0uwhD3CXD

Good stuff. The Four Horsemen, one for all, all for one, and money for everyone.

No talent or ability to go their own way, but why do that, when you can take a ride of the gravy train that is LBJ's career. Hmmm..do you think that Carter was working with Nike before LeBron emerged...I wonder??

TMS wrote:
Dropping Aaron Goodwin was probably the single biggest mistake of his career... hiring his boys to manage his career has led to his image being tarnished & his own legacy to be damaged w/the way he's being represented... he is no longer the young phenom heir apparent to Michael & Magic... now he's just another in a long line of spoiled, arrogant high paid athletes who thought they were bigger than the game.

Will James ever understand this, though? The Vegas party makes me think that he might not.

Paladin55 wrote:

TMS wrote:
Dropping Aaron Goodwin was probably the single biggest mistake of his career... hiring his boys to manage his career has led to his image being tarnished & his own legacy to be damaged w/the way he's being represented... he is no longer the young phenom heir apparent to Michael & Magic... now he's just another in a long line of spoiled, arrogant high paid athletes who thought they were bigger than the game.

Will James ever understand this, though? The Vegas party makes me think that he might not.

right now he obviously doesn't get it at all... maybe when his career is winding down he might think back & wish he had done things differently.

Now that my initial anger and disappointment following 'the decision' has passed, I feel a bit sorry for him the way all of the journalists and former fans are gunning for him- yeah he took some bad advice on how to announce his decision, and he and Wade and Bosh led everyone on, but at the end of the day he chose to play for less money to play with his best friends, by the beach, where they can win many championships together- for a lot of people that would be paradise.

GustavBahler wrote:
Many fans were near the left-field foul pole in hopes of catching the 600th home run ball by Alex Rodriguez.

...the MVP that left Texas for the Yankees.