I wrote this piece last year on July 10, 2011. If I were to change the title it would be; "We Were All Witnesses". I thought the timing was appropriate to revisit last years event with Lebron and Cleveland. I didn't (and still don't) care either way if he stayed or he left. I believe LeBron to be an extraordinary talent that could have shown better judgement, but who is being treated with such disdain I quietly wonder if people have anything that remotely resembles a life. In the end, the better "team" won... Lebron didn't lose, the Heat lost. Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki and Mark Cuban. Hang in there LeBron and the Heat, and please NBA avoid any work stoppage in the future. And as always.... Go Celtics. BTW, I would love to have LeBron on the Celtics tomorrow.
One last thing, The "open letter/resolution" that our Governor, whom I voted for, of the great state of Ohio released today was sophomoric, juvenile and small minded. Grow up!
On the Cover: Dirk Nowitzki, Basketball, Dallas Mavericks
Photographed by: Greg Nelson / SI
Photographed by: Greg Nelson / SI
One last thing, The "open letter/resolution" that our Governor, whom I voted for, of the great state of Ohio released today was sophomoric, juvenile and small minded. Grow up!
-sbb 14.6.11
"We Are All Witnesses"
Maturity: full development; perfected condition: maturity of judgment; to bring a plan to maturity.
After watching Lebron James and Dan Gilbert's version of Cirque du Soleil, scratch that, it was more like the Barnum & Bailey Circus,
I was reminded how poorly adults can behave. I mean really, the only
thing that was missing in this "dog and pony" show was a dog and a pony,
and two mature individuals.
Before
I go any further, few people love sports as much as I do. I grew up in
an athletic family, played basketball in college, and watched (and
learned) my dad coach for over 25 years. I have my favorite teams like
anyone else, and I have players that I gravitate to more than others.
Players like Derek Jeter, Larry Bird and Arnold Palmer come to
mind.These are men that I admire outside of their respective sport as much, if not more, as I do inside their area of expertise.
With
that being said, my comments and criticisms are meant to constructive,
not destructive; and because of the many mistakes I've made in my life,
my remarks are a reminder to me that there is a good way and bad way to
act in every situation.
I hope I always want to choose the correct way as I get older.
Now that is behind me, let me share some of my thoughts.
First, let's begin with "The Chosen One", LeBron James:
The legendary Paul Brown, the once great coach of the Cleveland Browns, once said; when scoring a touchdown, "act like you've been there before."
I think we all can agree that James failed at adhering to that piece of
advice. What LeBron did accomplish was to show a lack of respect for
the process that is called free agency, and for those players that came
before him.
One
of the most important things that a "superstar" in any sport must
accomplish is to display respect for their league, and for its rich
history of stars that preceded them. LeBron failed in both of those
areas Thursday night. Can you imagine Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Oscar
Robertson, or Dr. J behaving in this manner? Even Michael Jordan, with
his larger than life ego, faxed "I'm back" to the NBA front office and the Chicago Bulls when he returned from baseball to play basketball again.
At
the end of the day, the hour long "drama" show that was billed "The
Decision" was a "Bad Decision".... and the kids as a prop was an even
worse decision. If LeBron truly wanted to help "The Boys & Girls
Club", and I'm not saying that he didn't, then write them a check
without any public acknowledgment of your act of kindness and be done
with it.
Respect the process and respect those that came before you.
The
second thought is the importance of respecting you employer. We all
answer to someone, and if LeBron thinks he doesn't than he has bigger
problems than I thought he had. Most American's would agree that it is
the right, and the professional, thing to do in giving a "two week"
notice when leaving an employer. And though I realize that sports
figures do not need to give their two week notice they should be in the
practice of being professional.
If your owner is calling you, and texting you, have the common courtesy, and the professionalism, to respond in a timely manner.
Just because it's well within your right not to return a person's, your employer, phone calls or texts don't make it right.
Respect your employer.
Lastly,
Respect yourself more and praise yourself less. Just because you named
yourself "King" really doesn't mean you are one, and if you think you
are one then act like one.
Thursday night James acted like a servant, not a King, a servant to his ego.
The
most important thing a person must have in their life when they
"supposedly" have everything is to have people in their life that will
tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. The people
that LeBron has in his life that thought Thursday night was a good idea
and was the right way to handle the situation must go. LeBron would do
well to choose his "PR' team with the same critical eye that he chose
his financial team. I really can't believe a "Warren Buffet" type of
personality would have gone along with this three ring circus.
Respect yourself more & praise yourself less.
Now let's move onto Dan Gilbert, which should be "Dilbert" instead of Gilbert, for his handling of this fiasco.
As
a successful businessman and Dan Gilbert certainly is one, the first
thing that Mr. Gilbert should be fully aware of is "this is business,
not personal". The fans can make it personal, but a CEO, owner and the
leader of an organization cannot.
Gilbert must consider it business. Nothing more, nothing less.
If there is one thing the silver screen gem "The Godfather" taught us it is this one undeniable fact.
James
and Gilbert live in the greatest country in the world. A nation that
protects your free speech, allows you to bear arms, and to choose your
employer, if they're so inclined to choose you.
James chose Miami, Miami chose James...end of story.
I
tell my boys all the time; "Don't beg someone to be with you, and if
she doesn't want to be with you then grant her her wish...and accept it
with grace and class... and then move on."
Mr.
Gilbert, James didn't want you...get over it. How do you think Mike
Brown felt after you fired him after leading his team to the best record
in the NBA? I don't know how he truly felt, but I do know how he
responded. He responded with class.
It's business, not personal
The
second point is that you never get a second chance at a first
impression. LeBron is a global figure. Even the most fringe spectator
can identify James in a line up. Gilbert is a regional figure at best;
he can walk into almost any restaurant, best buy store, or mall and go
unrecognized.
Not anymore.
Millions
of people (and hundreds of potential employers called NBA players) just
met Dan Gilbert for the first time and it wasn't good. He came off like
a dumped lover.
Petty, small minded, and a man that is ruled by his emotions.
First impressions last a lifetime.
Lastly,
attitude reflects leadership. In this instance Gilbert didn't act like a
leader, he acted common. Leaders don't act common.
One
of the most important traits, or skill sets, a leader must recognize,
and master, is the art of conflict resolution. In another words don't be
the problem be the solution. With that being said, I don't think
writing an open letter detailing your anger, and calling out the other party is the way to go.
That is like posting on Facebook that your ex-girlfriend is a slut.
Grow up.
LeBron
didn't betray anyone; he didn't do anything more than what Gilbert was
asking Tom Izzo (a hometown guy that made it big at his Alma Mater) to
do, when he asked him to leave Michigan State to come coach at
Cleveland....ahh, I forgot...Izzo was still under contract. Did Gilbert
think Izzo was betraying Michigan State if he were to leave?
Still
the fact remains, the most important act when dealing with conflict
resolution is the act of remaining calm; never letting others know what
you are thinking, especially when your emotions are raw. Plus, your kids
are watching. Is this the way you want them to behave when they don't
get their way?
The
bottom line is that the Cleveland Cavalier organization had seven years
to build a team around LeBron that could win a championship. They
didn't. The best they could do was acquire a washed up Shaq, an
overrated Mo Williams, and Antwan Jamison.
Gilbert must recognize his culpability in this situation and move on, and grow up.
Be a leader.
At the end of the day, Nike was right; "We Are All Witnesses"...witnesses to over sized egos, poor decisions and behaviors, and immature adults.
Good luck Cleveland and Miami...your both going to need it for different reasons.
Go Celtics...Beat L.A.
sbb 10.7.10
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