Blog
06.25
The Freedom to Choose
Editor's Note: Although this is two weeks following the Finals, you'll have to excuse our Thomas Moore. He's been basking in a malaise of Cheetos, Pork Rinds, adult beverage and Mavs gear ever since the Championship. Carry on, sir.
When the NBA Finals closed and Dirk hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy, I reflected upon the much ballyhooed arrival of Lebron James in Miami, and how it raised the ire of everyone outside the Dade County area code.
It seems like he could have mitigated much of this animosity if he had handled the situation differently. Perhaps, if he better articulated his reason for bailing the home of Harvey Pekar.
Instead of an over-the-top primetime television “event” to announce that he was “taking my talents to South Beach,” he should have released a simple statement to make his case. It would have been the better play to emphasize that he’s been loyal to the Cavalier organization for many years, but has grown weary from the lack of ownership support and the absence of a “just win baby” attitude. Thus, he’s seeking another opportunity to be more successful elsewhere.
This alternate approach would have allowed him the benefit of the doubt we all enjoy as Americans, allowing him the freedom to seek greener pastures. But, he exhibited such arrogance with so much obnoxious pomp and circumstance that he became despised by a majority of sports fans.
A note to anyone looking for an immediate pop in front of your target audiences: When managing your reputation, it’s all about the approach.
What Lebron did wasn’t necessarily wrong, more so the presentation. In this country, we’re fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pursue and fulfill our career aspirations and no one will hold it against us. But, it takes tact to gain respect and empathy when a situation reaches the boiling point.
For King James, when it comes to displaying sensitivity to the Cleveland fans and consideration for his overall perception, he threw up a brick.
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