Basketball Star Lebron James Dunks Over Little Kid, Sends Him Flying to the Ground
- Posted on July 1, 2011 at 2:52pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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This will probably not help Lebron James fix his tarnished image.
Not only did James dunk over a kid half his size at a recent basketball camp, but he also made the curious choice to stare the boy down afterwards like he was ready to throw down, and then walk away. Classy.
You can watch the events unfold below:
(via SportsGrid)
UPDATE:
It seems this story has sparked quite the debate in the comments and in my e-mail inbox. I have to say, that’s a good thing. It especially excites me that it’s over this story, as my first ever journalism job was as a sports writer.
There are those of you who have said this doesn’t, in fact, look good for Lebron. He’s become the villan of basketball ever since he turned his free agent announcement into a TV special. The above video, they’ve said, is just another example of his perceived arrogance.
Then there are others of you who think this video, and how it’s been presented, are unfair. There are especiallhy those who think we are misrepresenting what happened.
I don’t think that we are. If you watch the video closely, you’ll see that what we wrote above is what happened: Lebron dunked on a kid and then stared him down while walking away. However, it should be noted that he did eventually help him up — that’s a good thing — and it’s important to point that out in this update.
Readers should also know that, according to TMZ, the boy who got dunked on said Lebron gave him his shoes after the incident.
So in the end, we have the facts of what happened. And now, it’s up to you to determine what that means. Was this just some schoolyard fun? No harm no foul? Or, does this show another side of Lebron — the side that’s okay with knocking a kid down and walking away (and then eventually coming back)? And did he feel so bad about his initial actions that he felt he had to give the kid his shoes? Or, maybe he was just being nice.
As SportsGrid noted (where we first saw the story), “The phenomenon of NBA players dunking on much smaller humans is nothing new, of course, but did LeBron have to give this poor kid the stare down at the end?”
That’s a valid question, and it’s a point we thought necessary to make in our piece. Others have too. A CBS News article thought the details of the incident were a little odd:
It‘s good to see LeBron’s competitive instincts kick in – but this is a summer camp for kids. That kind of hustle could have come in handy in the NBA Finals. Did he really need to prove his athletic superiority by throwing down over a small child? Was he still stinging from being posterized by a college kid in 2009?
To make matters worse, LeBron nonchalantly backpedaled away from his crumpled opponent to a cacophony of laughing onlookers. (He did return to make sure the kid was ok, which he was).
As CBS mentioned, this isn’t the first time Lebron has found himself in the midst of a dunking controversy as it relates to a young person. In 2009, he was the one getting dunked on by a college student at James’s basketball camp. James allegedly had at least one video of the incident confiscated.
Readers will also note that we opened the article with the statement that the video will “probably” not help him with his image — we intentionally did not say it will “absolutely” not help so as to leave room for disagreement and debate. And our readers never disappoint.
Please, continue to express your views in the comments. We’re always listening.
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Comments (111)
LBW23
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 11:10pmIt looks like an accident to me. He wasn’t staring the kid down. It looks like he was trying to regain his footing and then he helped the kid up.
Report Post »Mr. Oshawott
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 11:02pmWhile I’m no huge fan of Lebron James, I must say that the story that has been presented is obviously misleading, after having watched the video.
Report Post »ShyMan
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 11:02pmLame story. Bron-Bron just gave that kid a memory he will cherish the rest of his life.
And I can’t stand Bron-Bron.
But I like saying Bron-Bron.
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:59pmBasketball is a very effeminate sport – boys and men should play manly sports and leave basketball to the ladies.
Report Post »Mr. Oshawott
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 11:05pm@Eat-More-Bacon-USA
How is basketball an “effeminate” sport?
Report Post »BigDaddy
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:51pmI am not a Lebron fan BUT, this is an unfair assessment of what happened. I have played this particular game before and the goal is to make a shot before the player before you does and put him out of the game. Lebron was just making a shot and knocked the kid down accidentally. HE WAS NOT DUNKING OVER THE KID. I am not a Lebron fan like I said but the truth is the truth. Fix the headline or remove the story.
Report Post »Repubflorida
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 12:17amGames called knockout
Report Post »bulldog62
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:42pmI’m no fan of Lebron, but I have to agree, he bumped him on accident, then helped him up, everybody was smiling. ?????????
Report Post »NeoKong
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:40pmOh come on….
Report Post »The kid was fine.
He was laughing.
I bet he told the story a hundred times.
Gibsonfan06
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:40pmOH COME ON!!! Clearly an accident. Lebron never stared the boy down. Obviously The Blaze has problems when it comes to Lebron. I’m really disappointed to see the Blaze trying to sway peoples opinion
Report Post »Reduce.Our.Govt.Footprint
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:37pmAgain, this is another reason why I no longer watch pro sports!!!!! Overpaid crybabies!!!!!
Report Post »thepoopsmith
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:31pmIf i got dunked on by LeBron as a kid, i would tell that story forever. Awesome experience for the kid and also shows the kid that people aren’t just gonna let you win… not matter who you are. LeBron is also like 7 years older than these kids just for perspective.
Report Post »FToth84
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:30pmHate to say it. But, it is quite obvious by the video that Lebron James had no idea the kid was still standing there. And as far as a stare down this definitely was not the case. By the looks of it, James didn’t even know what he hit and considering he was running towards the basket. It’s not likely he is going to come to an abrupt stop.
Report Post »I love the reporting here at The Blaze. However, lets not twist a ‘so called’ story into something it is not.
CloudNine
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:16pmBSTAND is dead right…let’s move on people!
Report Post »Sam R
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:58pmThe game is called knockout, the point of the game is to make your shot before the guy in front of you in line makes his. Lebron just did it in a rather unusual manner and the kid is now gonna be famous with all his friends cuz Lebron dunked on him.
Report Post »duckman1911
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:44pmdidnt see any intentional harm to the kid but what stuck me was who pays to send their child to learn to play basketball?? Just go to your local hood and watch them for free.. most of them are there all day since they have no jobs
Report Post »101
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:34pmHuffPo mentality head liner…what a crock, who’s writing lies for the Blaze?
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:31pmWho cares about another overpaid prima donna.
Report Post »mcFirst
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:25pmkids fine. misleading title. Just watch Jordan Crawford dunk on LeBron to get some revenge.
Report Post »Talmid of Yeshua
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:11pmI didn’t see LeBron James do anything wrong. They were all having fun. I think this article is a crock of **** if you know what I mean. And I don’t even watch basketball anymore.
Report Post »TRUK62
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:55pmI gotta agree… looked like an accident and the supposed stare down was a joke…. I though the guy laughing like a friggin hyena was more un-nerving. Put a plug in that pie hole happy boy.
Report Post »Paul Revere
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 1:27pmThis is with out a doubt the biggest Crock of ____ by the Blaze to date! Many more like this and I’m done with you. This is a slant on reality that is 100% different than GB message. KNOW WHAT YOU”RE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE YOU TRY TO CREATE AN IMAGE OF SOME ONES CLASS! Are you a Liberal and the Blaze is just a job?
The kids were doing competitive shooting Drills. You get Knocked down you get up and run back to your line ready to shoot again. That is JUST how life IS! Hat tip to Lebron for not allowing the kid to think life is any different! BTW he gave, him a hand up, a lifetime story, and the knowledge and experience that he can take a hit! Life has more comming for him!
Report Post »OGUI
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:04pmEceryone was having a good time. No harm, no foul. Lebron will end his career with more rings than Kobe or Jordan. Give the TWENTY FIVE year old a break.
Report Post »looseyloo
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 11:39pmHe did a disappearing act against Dallas, so maybe he will get some sort of magician’s ring– is that what you meant ? He will have more magician’s rings than Kobe or Jordan ?
How about if he gets ONE NBA Championship ring before you give him the “Annointed One” treatment ? We got one “Annointed One” in the WH, and don’t need any more right now.
Report Post »bstand
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:01pmI am no fan of James……he is a jerk, but get the story right! He wasn’t dunking over the kid. He dunked and the kid was in his follow thru on the other side of the basket…… an accident!!! He even came over and helped the lad up.
Report Post »TADTAD
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:25pmExactly.
Report Post »bluegoldnationdotcom
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 8:55pmI get tired of the Blaze staff trying to lead people to conclusions. I don’t see Lebron standing over this kid taunting him. He dunked the ball because of the contest he was in with all the kids. Why stir up dissension just to stir it up?
Report Post »Hula Calhoun
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:49pmI agree with you. I didn’t see anything wrong with what happened. He helped the kid up, the kid got close to the camera and you could see he was smiling. I didn’t see anything like staring the kid down. This isn’t a non-story; it is flat-out yellow journalism! (and I am not a Lebron James fan; I don’t like or dislike him) I think that the Blaze is going downhill. Misleading headlines and too many stories from the Huffpo.
Report Post »Wyd Stantz
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 11:34pmI am going to have to agree with you. All these BS stories are getting a little old. If “real” news stories aren’t happening then that is okay, we will wait for something news worthy to be published… you don’t have to put a bunch of filler garbage on here.
Also, I agree with the article being way over analyzed. The kid got knocked down by accident and James came back over to help him up… I saw no eye balling going on.
Report Post »TheBMT
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 12:54amits sad when propaganda starts creeping into a site. Stay true to your principles Blaze.
Report Post »not_smart_enough_4u
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 1:16amU have to agree. There was nothing here. WTF Blaze?
Report Post »SecurityForce
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 8:41amThe Blaze is going the wrong way!!! Watch out Glen, your staff is going to hurt you if this keeps up. There is so much going on that is really important, what are you doing with this kind of reporting?
Report Post »On your way down if you don’t take control, and if this is your doing, best of luck.
the.slug
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 11:18amI agree … I do NOT see what they are reporting. It was an accident … he came back and helped the kid up after he saw what happened and the laughter was from the guy taking the pictures.
Whether this is indicative of the editorial policy of the Blaze, I’m not yet sure.
Report Post »nevragain
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 12:37pmYeah WTF Blaze retract that crap. He helped the kid up for crying out loud. What that cackling imbecile was laughing so hard about is the real question and story.
Report Post »ryanr313
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 1:11pmI was expecting jack assery. Talk about media bias.
Report Post »Eraldo NY Tea Party
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 8:54pmAnother Obama voter!
Report Post »flatbroke
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 8:51pmAll these sports stars are is overpaid losers anyway, no surprise!
Report Post »WH
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 8:48pmthe laugh was by far the worst thing about that video…
Report Post »skinnydipinacid
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 8:52pmlmao… indeed!
Report Post »America First
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 11:28amAgreed, who was the idiot laughing?
Report Post »orlandojon
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 7:40pmWere you expecting him to have any class just because he’s a basketball player?
Report Post »Lost in the Flyover
Posted on July 1, 2011 at 9:03pmY’all need to chill, the kid was laughing as he walked away, James helped him up from the floor, they collided on a basketball court, probably the biggest thrill of this kids life…. all over the web people get to see him dunked on by lebron James. One time at a golf tournament Paul Azinger called my kind a ****** because he had a Gator hat on, Azinger having played for FSU seemed to take exception… We still get a chuckle out of it when we see Azinger on TV…
Report Post »Repubflorida
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 12:16amNo blood no foul
Report Post »Favored93
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 1:31amActually I saw nothing wrong with it … the laugh was anoying though.
Report Post »Lebron Is a good kid cut him some slack it was clearly not intentional. :)
foobear
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 3:50amDid you watch the video? He helped the kid up and laughed about it.
BAD REPORTING, BLAZE.
Report Post »richard the lion-hearted
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 9:11amThis story is clearly an example of what’s wrong with news, sensationalism, outright lies, gossip disguised as news. Jonathon M. Seidl should be scrutinized from here on out to see just how ‘professional’ he truly is in being an assistant editor. Gossip is no less a sin than stealing or lies, you steal away someone’s character (or tarnish it further) by implying untruths, This is like so much garbage seen on local and national news from the ‘lamestream’ media. I’m about to put the Blaze in the same catagory as the rest with all this gossip and non-news being posted on this site more and more.
Report Post »alaskajohn
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 9:33amagreed
Report Post »mrdbcooper
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 10:55ampoinless…what about article 1 section 8…get back to work
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 10:58amsilly, that will be the hilight of the kids life, they day he took a charge from a hall of famer. all fun. Anyone who thinks otherwise knows nothing of sport. bravo
Report Post »OneFootRandy
Posted on July 2, 2011 at 3:28pmWhat are you even talking aboout with this article. He went over after, helped the kid up, hugged him and the kid walked away with a smile. I dont like Levron to be sure, but stop trying to make him out to be more than he is, a human who sins like you and I.
This article is pure crap.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on July 3, 2011 at 12:50amLooks like a good camp… teaching kids to shoot out of their range and “air it out” with 3 pointers. How about teaching fundamentals like hustle and good passing, good dribbling, good boxing out?
Na…. let’s just air it out baby! It’s more fun! Who cares about defense.
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