Queen James

[The_Dude 1,142]

What Happens at LeBron’s Camp….

By Pete Thamel

CLEVELAND – Some of the top high school and college basketball players in the country have gathered in Ohio this week as a part of Nike’s annual celebration of LeBron James. One of the highlights of this gathering for the high school and college players is the chance to face the King himself.

But with one bizarre move, Nike officials sent a warning to campers and the news media –- what happens at LeBron’s Camp stays at LeBron’s Camp. Or, at least they make sure that it doesn’t end up on YouTube.

Channeling media tactics straight out of North Korea, Nike officials confiscated the videotape of a 22-year-old freelance photographer named Ryan Miller.

His transgression? He had the audacity to tape King James being dunked on by Jordan Crawford, a Xavier sophomore. The dunk was a two-handed flush over James, who had leaped and appeared to be in full extension.

“It was the highlight of the entire camp,” Miller said.

After James’s team lost the subsequent game, he called over Lynn Merritt, a Nike basketball senior director. Miller said that Merritt approached him a moment later, told him he shouldn’t be taping the professional players and took his tape. (A request to see Nike’s policy for video at the camp was denied by a public relations official.)

Miller said the worst part about Nike’s confiscating his tape wasn’t that it essentially made up a reason. It was that they took his entire tape, which included an entire day of him shooting for ESPNU, which he was freelancing for. He said that he saw Nike officials take another reporter’s videotape.

“He told me the session was off-limits for shooting,” Miller said. “He said that I couldn’t shoot, and he actually said, ‘It’s not right to shoot these guys when they’re not in shape or they’re getting in shape for the season.’”

Nike refused further comment on the confiscated tape.

When reporters attempted to talk to James on Tuesday night, he agreed to an interview. But Merritt came over a minute later and said that James wasn’t talking.

If there has been any result of Nike’s media shutdown, it’s that the confiscation probably created more bad publicity than if the dunk on James had leaked out.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I have to take Nikes side on this, I could see why they dont want media coverage of this and I thought the comparison to North Korea was silly.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I have to take Nikes side on this, I could see why they dont want media coverage of this and I thought the comparison to North Korea was silly.

Oh, I agree that it was a far fetched analogy, and I can see why Nike did it. I just can't stand LeBron's self-aggrandizing attitude since his exit from the playoffs. I understand why Nike did it..... a youtube video of their poster child getting dunked on like a chump wouldn't bode well for their upcoming $100 millon marketing campaign. But still..... don't be such a baby about the whole thing.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I have to take Nikes side on this, I could see why they dont want media coverage of this and I thought the comparison to North Korea was silly.

Oh, I agree that it was a far fetched analogy, and I can see why Nike did it. I just can't stand LeBron's self-aggrandizing attitude since his exit from the playoffs. I understand why Nike did it..... a youtube video of their poster child getting dunked on like a chump wouldn't bode well for their upcoming $100 millon marketing campaign. But still..... don't be such a baby about the whole thing.

Ah yes Le Bron is a big baby, I dont like the guy. Remember when he went to a Indians against Yankees playoff game in Cleavland wearing a Yankees hat, how tasteless.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I have to take Nikes side on this, I could see why they dont want media coverage of this and I thought the comparison to North Korea was silly.

Oh, I agree that it was a far fetched analogy, and I can see why Nike did it. I just can't stand LeBron's self-aggrandizing attitude since his exit from the playoffs. I understand why Nike did it..... a youtube video of their poster child getting dunked on like a chump wouldn't bode well for their upcoming $100 millon marketing campaign. But still..... don't be such a baby about the whole thing.

Ah yes Le Bron is a big baby, I dont like the guy. Remember when he went to a Indians against Yankees playoff game in Cleavland wearing a Yankees hat, how tasteless.

Well it's no secret that he's going to sign with the Knicks after next season. NYK have been gearing up, clearing cap room and preparing a full scale attack to sign him. He's a phenomenal athlete, but the Knicks is the black hole of the NBA..... players go in, never to be seen again.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I hope he falls into the black hole and never comes back.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I hope he falls into the black hole and never comes back.

For him, it boils down to a very basic questions. Do you want to win championships, or do you want to expand your business?

[_Simpson_ 250]

The video of Lebron being dunked on has surfaced -

http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=4b33360...bb-0a0178f444c6