Friday before the Miami Heat are scheduled to play the Indianapolis Pacers, reigning NBA LeBron James made some comments he may wish he could take back. LeBron claims he doesn’t receive credit for being underpaid due to the collective bargaining agreement. Here are his quotes:
“I have not had a full max deal yet in my career — that’s a story untold,” James said.
”I don’t get (the credit) for it. That doesn’t matter to me; playing the game is what matters to me. Financially, I’ll sacrifice for the team. It shows for some of the top guys, it isn’t all about money. That’s the genuine side of this, it’s about winning. I understand that.”
“If you want the truth. If this was baseball, it’d be up, I mean way up there.”
While James’ point that in MLB where there is no salary cap he would most likely be making a killing, the fact remains that LeBron chose to take less money then he was eligible to make to play with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Heat. It’s not as if he was being lowballed; LeBron willingly left a max deal from the Cavs on the table to jump ship.
LeBron’s intent may have been misrepresented by his actual comments, but situations such as these remind people of the egotistical “The Decision” show and why they were sour on LeBron in the first place. People that can barely pay there monthly bills will have no sympathy for an athlete making $50 million plus in salary and endorsements. That’s where he misses the mark.
For as great a player as James’ is, his disconnect with the general public and his inability to sympathize with fan’s situations – the people who watch him, buy tickets, shoes, merchandise – may be his greatest deficiency.
-ALR
Really getting sick on how the 3 amigos about thier sacrifice. They took a little less than the max deals, but with them not having state tax took out, they are probably bringing more home than they would have had they signed a max deal else where. Quit trying to pull the wool over our eyes, LeBum, this cat is not buying it!!
Well don’t! No one’s forcing you!
I can’t believe Lebron James is complaining about the amount of money he makes. Sure, some players out there are undeservingly making more money than he is. That has nothing to do with who Lebron James is and his attitude on the manner is disturbing; saying “He’s not making enough money”. Lebron, there are so many people in the world that would kill to make the money you do… And those “athletes” that make more money than Lebron are doing so because of the idiot owners and managers that pay out those big contracts. I can’t imagine people saying, “I wish I was as good as JaMarcus Russell”. Yet, he has made more money playing football than the large majority of the world.
How did you get, “I’m not making enough money” from, “That doesn’t matter to me; playing the game is what matters to me. Financially, I’ll sacrifice for the team.”
Why didn’t you take less money in Cleveland?? Help your team have available cash. Errr My bad, what was I thinking you’d much rather help out the area and fans who had never supported you.
Every time you go searching for love, your insecurities come shining through.
Regards,
Frank
“it isn’t all about money. That’s the genuine side of this, it’s about winning. I understand that”
reading helps
Oi, cleveland boy. Read before you complain. It is very obvious that these statements of James are answers to media questions.
Set aside the hate for a while. take some time to read…
Seriously this is the worst article I’ve read. How the hell did you get I’m not getting credit from that quote? This article is written just for the mere attention gathering, not at all based on facts… He took less money and never complained about it, now media wants to make a big deal out of it…
Tony Parker, Tim Duncan & Manu Ginobili all took less money this season. You don’t see them whining about it to reporters….
James isn’t whining…
well, lebron’s right.
the top guy in basketball hasnt had a max contract ever, shows he’s all about the game.
i dont think some of the other stars out there would’ve done the same.
The guy is dumb as rocks, good thing he is atheletic and can play basketball. If not he’d be a poor idiot still in Akron, or wherever he’s from. Probably flipping burgers. This is the reason people hate him. Should everyone congratulate you because you took $20 mill instead of $25? No one cares. STFU and play basketball.
I DON”T SEE THIS AS BEING A COMPLAINT OR WHINNING, HE JUST MAKING A POINT, THAT HE TOOK LESS MONEY IN ORDER TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS,AND BY THE WAY, EVERYONE DOES”NT DISLIKE LEBRON, EVERYONE PRETTY MUCH LOVES TO SEE HIM PLAY LIKE A BEAST, THERE”S NOT MANY NBA PLAYERS CAN GIVE YOU A SHOW
LIKE LEBRON ON A NIGHTLY BASIS,HE PLAYS HARD EVERY NIGHT.
AND FROM THIS COMMENT I KINA FEEL SOME JEALOUSY HERE.
When you are the best you should get the most money. That’s not a new concept. It’s done all the time. The quarterback is often paid the highest but if someone on the team is better he will seek a higher salary. The best golfer earns more money in his winnings. the best company makes more in revenue a.k.a. Apple, Inc. if you get better you make more (see Samsung). Michael Jordan let it be known that he was earning less but his last year he got paid more. He was set to earn even more than that but the NBA strike changed things. This is such an elementry concept that you should note it is unusual for the best not to make more than the less talented, and should appreciate it if it taking less helps your team win.
LeBron does seem to be upset with his lack of a “Max deal” and is very out of touch with the reality of the great recession we are in. He is a diva in his sport that gets most of the calls (referees) going his way. His team will be officiated favorably once again to another undeserved NBA title and the league is becoming a joke. Why make an anti-flopping rule when half of your stars are still going to the (free throw) line when they flop? The rule was a simple acknowledgement that it is happening and we’re acting like we are doing something about it. ‘Financially he’ll sacrifice for the team’? Really? He made plenty of money and just wanted some fame to go with it.I’d like to sacrifice for any team and make a minimum contract and I’d be thrilled. Top paid player on the Miami Cheat is not “sacrificing for the team”.