[Stardust]

My son ( 14 ) and i discussed this. Whether your a grade school, middle school, high school, college or pro player, when you put on those colors, and that team name, you represent that team. Emotions play such a big part in the game, but you can't let them rule you. It shouldn't keep you from doing the right thing. When my son was in grade school, there were little kids that looked up to him simply because he wore that football jersey. Even at that early time in his life the
expectation to represent was there. I like Lebron and will forgive and forget. I just wish he would think first next time. ESPN showed several incidents when this same thing had happened before, but it doesn't make it right. Just the opinion of a dad.

Wow, How did I miss this!!! What a GREAT POST! I apologize that I scanned right over this.

You are "Spot On" here. I have been coaching for several years, and there are two constants that my players can attest to in what I have attempted to instill:

1. Effort - You can't always control wins and losses, but you can always control effort. If your team is equal to the other, and you put forth more effort, you have a better chance of finishing the game as the happy team.

2. It's about the Name on the Front of the Jersey, not the name on the Back - You job is to do what it takes to promote your team in the most positive measure. Whether it comes from your performance (effort), support (sitting the bench) or your reactions (respect to teammates, officials, opposition and fans).

For Lebron, he carries not just the Cleveland Cavaliers on his chest, he carries the entire NBA. To react the way that he did, left an impression on everyone. And for us adults (and those almost adults) on BGR, we can debate and discuss maturely what he did, and espouse what we think was right or wrong. But for the youth, they see this and think it is OK. They will find excuses for Lebron to say what he did was OK. It's because they have no reason to think otherwise. Lebron has to carry the honor and dignity that God has bestowed upon him when he gave him these talents. That is a pretty big load to carry for a 23 year-old YOUNG man. And it is a lesson that he will have learned from.