RE: Give the kid a break, he's a junior in high school for ------ sake.

["Ravi Singh" <kelticsfan@attbi.com>]

Thanks for the closely held persective Mark.  I too agree that the
frenzy surrounding this kid is very sad.  A damning commentary on our
society for sure. I don't think you are feeding the frenzy by going to
see him play basketball however. I would love to see the kid play as NBA
personnel folks are stating, off the record of course, that the kid
would go #1 this year  if he were able to come out.  

I think having him sign autographs and then selling them on EBAY is
feeding the frenzy and the frightening thing for me. When he says no to
those requesting his signature and then calling that seventeen year old
kid a "punk" for not signing memerobilia is very disturbing.  Seventeen
years old, sheesh.  

I will say that if the kid's head doesn't blow off, he is going to be a
marketing dream. Already, kids are clamoring for Adidas basketball shoes
because he wears them.  The youngsters already regard this kid more
highly than Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant from what I've heard.  Do you
think that is accurate based on your proximity to the situation?    

Ravi

-----Original Message-----
From: Berry, Mark S [mailto:berrym@BATTELLE.ORG] 
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 8:01 AM
To: 'kelticsfan@attbi.com'; 'celtics@igtc.com'
Subject: Re: Give the kid a break, he's a junior in high school for
------ sake.


A few things on this Ravi:

We've been hearing about Lebron here in Ohio for three years now. There
were stories around here about him when he was a freshman claiming he
was the best high school prospect in the country-regardless of class. So
this stuff has been going on for some time now.

It sounds more and more like the kid isn't handling all this very well.
We've seen increasingly disturbing reports of his "entourage" and the
like. The SI cover just sickened me. Sure, a junior in high school
probably thinks it's great. But what responsible parent would allow it?
How can anything positive-other than a shoe contract or other nonsense
(I've heard that his mother is a "consultant" to a shoe company
already)-come out of that? Unfortunately, from what I understand, his
mother has allowed another man-not Lebron's father-to become a real
mentor and advisor to this kid. And more and more this guy sounds like
just another hanger-on. You've all seen the stories about Lebron
considering declaring for the draft after this season-before his senior
season in high school.

Anyway, I find the situation mostly sad. The frenzy around the kid is
incredible. I understand they've moved the sectional final (early part
of the state basketball tournament) for Lebron's area to Gund Arena,
home of the Cleveland Cavs. I'm thinking about going up to see the kid
for myself-maybe I'm feeding the frenzy, I don't know.

Just some tidbits from close to the center of the action around Lebron.
Ohio State fans are clamoring for this kid. Of course, I'll be shocked
if he ever sets foot on a college campus and, in truth, I wouldn't want
him at OSU anyway if he's one year and done. I think those one-year
players can do more harm than good. Stephon Marbury, Tim Thomas, Eddie
Griffin all left their programs in worse shape than when they arrived.

Mark