Nike Doesn’t Want You To See LeBron James Getting Dunked On
My favorite story of the week — which just beats out Ron Artest’s Michael Jackson tribute song — is Jordan Crawford’s dunk over LeBron James at LeBron’s Skills Academy in Akron.
I like this tale for a few reasons: 1) Before transferring to Xavier last offseason, Crawford was one of my favorite players on Indiana. 2) Whenever a college kid bests the greatest basketball player in the world, it’s interesting. It’s sort of like my Jimmy Fallon theory, or the guy that beat LBJ in horse. 3) LeBron could use a humbling every now and again. 4) Crawford is saying it’s the highlight of his young career.
When I read about this early yesterday, there was no word whether video was taken of the moment. But, I figured there was a good chance of this, because there’s usually some sort of camera going at this type of event.
Turns out there were two cameras that captured Crawford’s two-hand slam over the King. But Nike doesn’t want you to see their precious poster boy in a vulnerable position. So they confiscated the tapes.
From Gary Parrish at CBS Sports:
Turns out, there were at least two cameras rolling Monday night when Crawford dunked on James during a pick-up game here at the LeBron James Skills Academy. It was a two-handed jam, the kind that would’ve circulated quickly on YouTube. But Nike officials eliminated that possibility shortly after the dunk happened by allegedly confiscating tapes from various cameramen.
Freelance photographer Ryan Miller was one of the cameramen shooting the game.
He told CBSSports.com that Nike Basketball Senior Director Lynn Merritt took his tape.
“He just said, ‘We have to take your tape,’” Miller said. “They took it from other guys, too.”
Worth noting is that there is no policy against filming at the LeBron James Skills Academy, and Miller said he had been filming all day without incident. Nobody ever told him to stop. Nobody ever said there was a problem … until after Crawford dunked on James.
“LeBron called Lynn over and told him something,” Miller said. “That’s how I knew his name was Lynn. LeBron said, ‘Hey, Lynn. Come here.’”
Minutes later, Miller said Merritt demanded his tape.
If what’s alleged here is true, and LBJ had a hand in confiscating the tapes, it’s an incredibly weak and over-protective move by LeBron and Co. But, it’s also not surprising. He’s a master at protecting his image, and this move only strengthens that fact.
But now that this alleged story is out, his move to protect his God-like image seems to have backfired. So lighten up. Let it out. Give Jordan Crawford his due. I promise you this Nike: LeBron will still be able to sell your shoes.
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