So young basketball phenom LeBron James is now no longer an amateur.
Mr. James, a senior at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, was declared ineligible to continue playing basketball for receiving two “retro-style” basketball jerseys from a clothing store. The only thing that last week’s ruling by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) proved was that hypocrisy reigns supreme in the sordid world of high profile (but not necessarily professional) basketball.
Of course, it’s easy to give one’s two cents about the issue, but, in my opinion, what’s the big deal?
James is still expected to be the number one pick in this year’s National Basketball Association draft, which will be held in June. He is on board to receive a multi-million dollar contract from the team that selects him and another one from a high profile shoe company, most likely Nike or Adidas.
It is unfortunate for James’s teammates that they will have a much more difficult time winning the state championship. Other than that, I see no earth shaking revelations. Corruption is inherent in big time athletics. And no one is blameless.
What could have possibly been the outcome from having an athletically gifted youth’s team play on prime time national television? James’s team traveled afar as California to play another top-notch high school program that was broadcasted on ESPN.
Countless articles have been published about this kid since the beginning of his junior year in high school. He’s had more ink than NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, and Kobe Bryant had when they were James’s age. Come on, when sport talk shows and SportsCenter gab incessantly about such individuals, you know something unfortunate will happen to them.
But let’s make one thing very clear: LeBron James will not suffer from this little “embarrassment”. That’s not to say he’s guilt free in the affair. He made an unfortunate mistake and he should pay for it. He’s lucky he wasn’t suspended before. A few weeks ago, James’ mother bought a $50,000 hummer for his birthday.
James would be better served not to appeal the decision made by the OHSAA. But once again, those around him are not doing what is best for the youth. Instead of accepting the transgression, they have instead decided to accentuate it by making the issue into an even bigger circus than it had already been.
The story is not actually that intriguing. It has a predictable, sad plot, something akin to the movie Blue Chips.
It will definitely happen again. The blame can be spread around to number of persons and groups. After all, professional sports are big businesses, and you know what big business’s number one goal is: to be number one (sometimes at any cost).