<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LeBron James must have given hundreds, if not thousands of autographs in his three years of NBA stardom. It took just one polite "no" to a different kind of autograph request recently for the 22-year-old forward to stir up a hornets' nest. James was asked to sign an open letter, written by Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Ira Newble, condemning China's government for contributing to the genocide of people in the Darfur region of Sudan. "China cannot be a legitimate host to the premier international event in the sporting world - the Summer Olympic Games - while it remains complicit in the terrible suffering and destruction that continues to this day," Newble wrote. China is thought to buy a huge amount of Sudanese oil. The African country is then said to spend much of that oil money on obtaining weapons and technology from China. Sudan is also accused of arming the Arab militia, the Janjaweed, who in turn use the weapons to murder innocent people in the Darfur region. Newble's letter was signed by most of the Cavalier players, but not James, who said he didn't have enough information about the issue, or Damon Jones, who refused comment.</div> Source: Yahoo! Sports
<div class="quote_poster">bronbron23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Ira newble is a idiot</div> Care to elaborate? He's doing a good thing imo, I mean, atleast he's doing something, which is a lot better than what 'Brony boy is doing.. And, it's really not surprising that 'Bron'Bron said no, considering how much money Nike pays him.
It's really not surprising, especially seeing as how LeBron is a major marketing figure for Nike in China. They would not want to do anything to harm his image over there, so he can't sign it.
OK, Ira isn't an idiot but I don't think Lebron should look bad for not signing it that is what I should have initially written. It could also be argued that Sudan Gov are the problem if they weren't being supplied with weapons from China they'd probably be supplied by another country. And China are going to look bad in any American news article because they're a rising power and have a communist gov.
James doing this is both good and bad. Good because he isn't just signing something he knows nothing about. He wants the info before he signs and that is his right. If the media makes him look bad I would think no less of him because he did what he thought was right in that situation. Bad because he won't help out a teammate. Sometimes, even if you aren't to sure about something, it is OK to just trust your teammate and sign or help him with anything. LeBron IMO, should of signed Ira's paper, because he is a teammate and he should know Ira that he wouldn't make him sign anything bad or fatal to wards something or someone.
Personally, though, I don't think it has too much to do with facts given to him, or a lack of trust of a teammate. It has to do with $$$ for him and Nike.
<div class="quote_poster">chingy0007 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Personally, though, I don't think it has too much to do with facts given to him, or a lack of trust of a teammate. It has to do with $$$ for him and Nike.</div> How would it cost him and Nike. To sign something that a teammate stands up for. Nike should care less. China isn't going to charge Nike or ruin them if LeBron signs something. He isn't signing a new law. I think he didn't sign it becuase possibly he dosn't agree with Ira or just dosn't know enough.
I think the coverage about this is getting a bit ridiculous, to be honest. Lebron is a tool. That's not that difficult to comprehend. At the same time, its not something to get all worked up about. The majority of the players in the NBA are the exact same way, and, honestly, most of us normal people would probably do the same thing in his position if it meant risking that much money. Also, I'm skeptical about how many of the players that signed that petition fully understand the issue they're complaining about. In the end, that letter isn't going to do anything at all. Some Chinese government official will probably crumple it up, throw it through a miniature basketball hoop, and into a trash can.
It is true, most players wouldn't sign it. However, if it is something Ira really believed was something to fight for, I would take his word. I'm sure Ira could of explained it to James, and maybe he would of signed it, but I'm sure James just doesn't care that's all. He has better things to worry about then what is happing somewhere that doesn't involve trying to win an NBA championship.
It's like the thing with Britney Spears, where she had a contract to endorse Pepsi, but when she was down here for a tour, she was photographed drinking a can of Coca Cola, as you guys said, LeBron has a huge contract with Nike which has a big market in China, I'm sure if he wasnt in that situation he would gladly sign it, the fact is he has already committed himself to Nike and the Chinese market prevents him from doing so. You cant have your cake and eat it too.
Well if you really want to get into it, Lebron is a lot more valuable to Nike than Nike is to him. He could get away with it if he really wanted to. But, like I said earlier, why should we get all riled up about him not caring when the majority of our population doesn't either?
I dont think its not that he doesnt care, he just doesnt want to jeopardize his contract with Nike or damage his image in China, which signing somthing like this would most do. He has his own interests to look out for, and thats fair enough, its unfortunate whats happening in Darfur, but I would do the same thing as LeBron.
This is interesting to me only in relation to the news about a month ago that LeBron, when asked by a reporter if he'd ever consider selling shoes for fifteen bucks like Marbury, said no, because Nike holds themselves to a higher standard. Marbury, when he heard of this, remarked that he'd rather "own than be owned," which is one of the better sports disses I've recently heard. In any case, whether LeBron intends to or not, he has now twice come off as extremely uncaring and greedy, first by taking a shot at the Marbury sneaks that were priced to be affordable for low-income families, and now this Darfur thing. It's getting clear that LeBron doesn't have the same skill at selling himself that Jordan had.
Well again, its like the Britney Spears Pepsi / Coke thing, if you're paid to endorse a certain brand, you cant turn around and then show support for somthing else.
Can't fault Lebron for this. Everyone has a different stance on politics and I think Lebron handled the situation fairly well.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well if you really want to get into it, Lebron is a lot more valuable to Nike than Nike is to him. He could get away with it if he really wanted to. But, like I said earlier, why should we get all riled up about him not caring when the majority of our population doesn't either?</div> Yeah right. Nike can market any young player they want and sell shoes. Trust me LeBron is a small pawn for Nike. Basketball shoes are a small percentage of their sales. Nike's technology is still the best, and people are buying the brand, not the player. Nike now owns Converse so they could easily put DWade at the forefront of their basketball line of shoes for the Nike brand.
