LeBron James Gets Booed by Fans

LeBron wasn't welcomed with open arms by Knick fans situated outside the wedding area at Cipriani 42^nd Street. Instead he was booed as he emerged from his vehicle with girlfriend Savannah Brinson.

This wasn't the first time this happened to LeBron James. He's been given icy receptions everywhere he has gone. The only place that seems to be neutral and somewhat welcoming is in Miami where he'll be joining fellow NBA players Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on the "Heat."

So why has Lebron's "decision" been so self damaging and why are fans in such a tizzy about the entire thing? Could it be because of where James is going? Or maybe it was the way the decision was originally made and the platform that was used. If you've followed the news you know the answer is yes to both.

According to fans, the press, and your average Joe, LeBron shot himself in the foot once his "Decision Special" aired July 8^th on ESPN. The television special did nothing to help, only hurt James, and enrage both his long-time fans and those he may have won over.

LeBron's humility, character, and class were put under the microscope and he may not ever recover. Cleveland fans are still feeling the blade that was driven into their backs that night which has left them feeling hurt, furious, betrayed, and abandoned by James.

Not only are the public up in arms about LeBron's decision and the way it was made, NBA Commissioner David Stern was also taken aback by it.

Stern told reporters on Monday that he didn't mind that James made the decision to leave it was the media that he used, along with the fact that he didn't give Cleveland much notice of his departure.

Stern was quoted saying "Had he (LeBron) asked my advice in advance, I might have suggested that he advise Cleveland at an earlier time than apparently he did that he was leaving, even without announcing where he was going, so we could have eliminated that. I would have advised him not to embark on what has become known as "The Decision."

In addition to the Commissioner's opinion, "Cleveland Cavalier" owner Dan Gilbert expressed his anger regarding James' decision in a letter sent via email to "Cav's fans" referring to LeBron as "narcissistic" and called his behavior "cowardly." Commissioner Stern issued Gilbert a hefty $100,000 fine for his comments.

Time will only tell when and if LeBron James will recover from his television faux pas. The fans, media, and management all have their own opinions of his decision but one thing for sure is James is a great ballplayer and will hopefully lead the "Heat" to an NBA victory.

Source
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Sports