Cuts to the heart of it – doesn’t it? I think it’s awesome. We tend to think that the celebrities should do what we want them to do – and forget that they are people.
I just switched jobs. If i had someone come up to me all upset because I left Apple & went to my new gig – someone that I didn’t even know – I’d be upset about it! why do we think we have the right to put these expectations on these people? They are people.
“Should I just disappear?” I think that was my favorite line, not because I think that’s what he should do, but because I sometimes feel that way myself.
I think it is a commercial that is right up there with the old Air Jordan “Mars Blackmon” commercials. It was funny, honesty, witty, and inspiring. I am in no way a Miami fan (I’m a Piston till I die) but you can’t fault LeBron for moving. Any of us would love to work with the leaders in whatever field that we are in. I mean you are on tour with Jeremy Camp and John Mark McMillan, not with “Craig and this other guy”. You chose to tour with guys who make you better as well. So in a way you, Carlos, are the LeBron of worship music.
I think it speaks a lot of truth. I did cringe when he said – “I’m not a role model”. We can sit here and say it as much as we want that celebrities/athletes shouldn’t be role models, but kids will still look up to and emulate them. Yes, we as Godly men and women should be their role models – we just need to teach them as much as possible that they are human, they are people too – just as someone has already pointed out!
The “I am not a role model” line was a quote of Charles Barkley from way back in the day. Notice right after he said “Hey Chuck!” – that’s what they call Barkley.
I think he’s simply showing how other people have dealt with trying to respond to the pressures people put on them.
Our judgment of others comes from our own insecurities. That will never stop being the case. It’s unfair and it’s something we should all battle…daily.
Great ad. We have probably all felt the exact same way at some point in our lives. We have all wanted to say “What should I do?”
I’m 28, been attending this same church since I was 2. I’ve recently been learning how to be who I am and not who my church (or anybody else) wants me to be.
I was raised believing that men are the leadership and the women submit. That if I pray a simple prayer and try to be a “good person” then I can go to heaven. I knew all the Bible stories as a kid and all the “churchy” answers as a teenager.
Now that I’m uncovering the me that God created, I’m learning that women can be valuable and influential leaders. That simply being a “good person” won’t get me anywhere. That those stories in the Bible are REAL STORIES of people God called upon, thrust into roles the weren’t comfortable with and relied on the power of God and the moving of the Spirit to pull them through.
So, what should I do? Should I fit the roles defined for me at church, or should I step into the role God designed me for?
Honestly, I’m going to pick the Creator over the church every time.
I’m mixed on it. From the beginning I realized that it was his decision to do what he wants. I just really struggled with the loyalty thing. One of my biggest strengths is loyalty so it’s pretty cutting when i see anyone leave something behind.
Also, I’m a HUGE (just ask anyone who knows me) Spurs fan. Therefore, I am a HUGE David Robinson fan. Classiest Athlete to ever play just about any sport. One thing I love, is that with all his talent and desire to win it all, he never gave up on San Antonio even when the Spurs ended a 20-60ish type season. The next year we draft Tim Duncan, and before you know it D-Rob’s got his first and soon to be second championship.
I feel that LeBron shouldve held out longer, and not embarrassed his team/city/fanbase/etc on National TV. I think there shouldve been more of an apology… i guess this is his closest thing he’ll ever give to an apology.
I just changed jobs/church (I’m in youth ministry). i realize that change happens, but it’s the way you act when you do it. Do you flaunt it, or do it with grace? LeBron made an embarrassment of himself, but that’s just my 2 cents. Not trying to hate
Amazing. Lebron should be able to do whatever he wants. He doesn’t owe anything to Cleveland. He was paid for services rendered. And he gave Cleveland more than they were expecting.
I will say that “The Decision” was not the best move, but get over it. As much as we all don’t want to admit… we all drink a little Haterade.
I’m a Heat fan and am stoked… and if Dwayne Wade did the same thing, I would have been super angry, but now I can sit back and watch my team win a few championships.
The point behind most people’s distaste for LeBron is not that he chose the Heat… its the way he did it… If Los had been leading on “craig and that other guy” for months and then held a self-serving hour long press conference on ESPN during prime time to publicly humiliate “Craig and the other guy” then I’d have a problem with it…
But I’m a little jaded cuz I went to High school with DWade and was really upset when he and LeBron led on the city like that loner girl in high school that never really had a chance…
he wants a ring. he did what he felt he needed to, to get the ring. the way he did it was meh, but it’s done now i guess. i mean he’s lebron. if Brian Scalabrine would’ve held an hour long press conference nobody would care, but yea… it’s lebron.
I love it. We spend so much time figuring out which version of ourselves that the people around us want that we forget which version we actually want to be.
I haven’t really watched basketball seriously since Jordan retired (the second time), so my comments are in no way related to any personal affinity for/against Lebron James.
That said, did you notice the derision and condescension in his voice every time he asked, “Should I be who you want me to be?”
Clearly, the implication is that “no”, he should be himself because none of us want to be told who to be either.
Unfortunately, the commercial only deeper ingrains the image that he is arrogant. I can only reject others’ criticism if I believe I am perfect. “I’ve gotta be me” implies there is nothing wrong with me.
Perhaps this is his way of telling us that he’s willing to either play the villain or be adored by those who don’t mind the ego (and respect the dunk).
I really couldn’t care less about the trade to Miami. Seems to be a good career move but hardly challenges Jordan’s legacy.
Nevertheless, Lebron’s statements reveal that he embraces a morally relativistic worldview on some level. What if, Lebron, the concepts of loyalty, humility, selflessness, and sacrifice aren’t what I want you to be but rather are timeless character traits of your Maker (the real King)?
What if they’re bigger than you and me? What if I fail at them too? What if we all need a little grace? What if we never get it because we’re too proud to admit that we screwed up?
It really doesn’t change anything about the choices he’s made or how I perceive him, but from a marketing perspective, this is brilliant.
It says, “I hear what you all are saying. I just really don’t care. I’m not here to please you.”
Everybody who helped come up with this should get a huge raise. They’ve managed to take all the negativity that was thrown at Lebron and create positive momentum out of it.
As a parent, though, this is scary. The implied argument here is totally ridiculous, and kids are gonna eat it up. What if my son gets kicked out of school and says, “Dad, what should I do? Should I be who you want me to be?”
Maybe it should end with a disclaimer: “This mentality only works in the short-term, and even then, only if you happen to be one of the wealthiest and most talented and admired people on the planet.”
At the end of the day, the man is still one of us. And by one of us, I mean a flawed and broken human being who at the end of the day seeks approval and acceptance. Although he has been blessed with enormous God-given physical gifts, you can clearly see LeBron still needs this acceptance. It is called pride, we all have it, and we all need approval in some shape or form. Any one who is honest can not deny this.
With all that being said, I am a lifelong Cleveland sports fan and I will miss LBJ greatly. Yet, at the end of the day life goes on, with or without him. If he did not want to be here, better for him to go.
I say, good for LeBron to do what he believes will make him happy in the end. I hope along his journey though, he realizes that striving to attain happiness and fulfillment is futile apart from God. No matter how many rings he wins or how much money he accumulates, he will never fill that eternal void we all have in our hearts with finite stuff. Maybe he already has understood this to be true. I hope so.
Lasting fulfillment can only come from One Source.
It’s not the decision as much as the manner in which the decision was made and announced. The commercial would be much better had he not acted the way he did.
I think we hold celebrities under a microscope. No matter what they do they are scrutinized. NO ONE in the world has the ability to please everyone, no matter who they are.
I am sure LeBron knows and will openly admit that he has made mistakes (just like any of us) … and I applaud him for just being who he is.
The Lebron thing is what it is…not going to judge that stuff. He’s a broken man making decisions with more pressure than I could ever imagine. I screw up my decisions just fine on my own without a ton of pressure.
But in terms of marketing genius by Nike, this one ranks WAY up there.
I liked the commercial. I laughed pretty hard. I live in Akron. My husband actually helped with the Lebron Rally here in Akron. What Lebron did wrong had nothing to do with loyalty or being a role model. It was a lack of tact. The way he handled the entire situation was completely void of tact. Lebron can try to redeem himself with witty one liners written by a Nike top dog, but he is the only one who knows what is in his heart. He knows that he could have given the city who loved him a bit more respect. The city didn’t care that he left. That is his right. He’s paid enough to buy a lesson in “give a crap 101″. He should of had one of those commercial writers write his farewell speech. (but I’m not bitter…
Brilliant ad, but sad. It wasn’t where he decided to play, it was how he decided to do it. Should he admit that he’s made mistakes? Yes- that’s the mature, wise thing to do when you’ve done something that’s hurt people, and a sign of true strength. Should he change his friends? Perhaps- if they’re immature and give him bad advice. I just thought that it was a cheap copout for him taking some responsibility. Also, think about it- any sort of selfish behavior can be rationalized by “I’m being who I want to be, not who you want me to be”…
Utter self-absorption. He intentionally MAKES a big deal out of moving to Miami and therefore knowingly embarasses his Cleveland fans and then becomes indignant that he gets backlash? When you spit in someone’s face don’t you expect to get slapped? Why does he expect to be kissed?
RAIN IT DOWN
Cuts to the heart of it – doesn’t it? I think it’s awesome. We tend to think that the celebrities should do what we want them to do – and forget that they are people.
I just switched jobs. If i had someone come up to me all upset because I left Apple & went to my new gig – someone that I didn’t even know – I’d be upset about it! why do we think we have the right to put these expectations on these people? They are people.
Love those Nike commercials!
T
I love it
“Should I just disappear?” I think that was my favorite line, not because I think that’s what he should do, but because I sometimes feel that way myself.
It reminds me of a young Tyler Durden saying “Just Let GO!”
Translation: “I know you don’t like me much anymore, but, could you still give me lots of your money?”
I think it is a commercial that is right up there with the old Air Jordan “Mars Blackmon” commercials. It was funny, honesty, witty, and inspiring. I am in no way a Miami fan (I’m a Piston till I die) but you can’t fault LeBron for moving. Any of us would love to work with the leaders in whatever field that we are in. I mean you are on tour with Jeremy Camp and John Mark McMillan, not with “Craig and this other guy”. You chose to tour with guys who make you better as well. So in a way you, Carlos, are the LeBron of worship music.
and my fave line is the Hall Of Fame speech….”Soooo….this went well.”
I think it speaks a lot of truth. I did cringe when he said – “I’m not a role model”. We can sit here and say it as much as we want that celebrities/athletes shouldn’t be role models, but kids will still look up to and emulate them. Yes, we as Godly men and women should be their role models – we just need to teach them as much as possible that they are human, they are people too – just as someone has already pointed out!
The “I am not a role model” line was a quote of Charles Barkley from way back in the day. Notice right after he said “Hey Chuck!” – that’s what they call Barkley.
I think he’s simply showing how other people have dealt with trying to respond to the pressures people put on them.
Our judgment of others comes from our own insecurities. That will never stop being the case. It’s unfair and it’s something we should all battle…daily.
Great ad. We have probably all felt the exact same way at some point in our lives. We have all wanted to say “What should I do?”
I love it.
I’m 28, been attending this same church since I was 2. I’ve recently been learning how to be who I am and not who my church (or anybody else) wants me to be.
I was raised believing that men are the leadership and the women submit. That if I pray a simple prayer and try to be a “good person” then I can go to heaven. I knew all the Bible stories as a kid and all the “churchy” answers as a teenager.
Now that I’m uncovering the me that God created, I’m learning that women can be valuable and influential leaders. That simply being a “good person” won’t get me anywhere. That those stories in the Bible are REAL STORIES of people God called upon, thrust into roles the weren’t comfortable with and relied on the power of God and the moving of the Spirit to pull them through.
So, what should I do? Should I fit the roles defined for me at church, or should I step into the role God designed me for?
Honestly, I’m going to pick the Creator over the church every time.
Amen. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I needed to hear this.
I like what you have to say Jen. It really speaks to me. And this is something that I’m discovering myself.
nicodemusatnite.blogspot.com
I’m mixed on it. From the beginning I realized that it was his decision to do what he wants. I just really struggled with the loyalty thing. One of my biggest strengths is loyalty so it’s pretty cutting when i see anyone leave something behind.
Also, I’m a HUGE (just ask anyone who knows me) Spurs fan. Therefore, I am a HUGE David Robinson fan. Classiest Athlete to ever play just about any sport. One thing I love, is that with all his talent and desire to win it all, he never gave up on San Antonio even when the Spurs ended a 20-60ish type season. The next year we draft Tim Duncan, and before you know it D-Rob’s got his first and soon to be second championship.
I feel that LeBron shouldve held out longer, and not embarrassed his team/city/fanbase/etc on National TV. I think there shouldve been more of an apology… i guess this is his closest thing he’ll ever give to an apology.
I just changed jobs/church (I’m in youth ministry). i realize that change happens, but it’s the way you act when you do it. Do you flaunt it, or do it with grace? LeBron made an embarrassment of himself, but that’s just my 2 cents. Not trying to hate
Amazing. Lebron should be able to do whatever he wants. He doesn’t owe anything to Cleveland. He was paid for services rendered. And he gave Cleveland more than they were expecting.
I will say that “The Decision” was not the best move, but get over it. As much as we all don’t want to admit… we all drink a little Haterade.
I’m a Heat fan and am stoked… and if Dwayne Wade did the same thing, I would have been super angry, but now I can sit back and watch my team win a few championships.
The point behind most people’s distaste for LeBron is not that he chose the Heat… its the way he did it… If Los had been leading on “craig and that other guy” for months and then held a self-serving hour long press conference on ESPN during prime time to publicly humiliate “Craig and the other guy” then I’d have a problem with it…
But I’m a little jaded cuz I went to High school with DWade and was really upset when he and LeBron led on the city like that loner girl in high school that never really had a chance…
he wants a ring. he did what he felt he needed to, to get the ring. the way he did it was meh, but it’s done now i guess. i mean he’s lebron. if Brian Scalabrine would’ve held an hour long press conference nobody would care, but yea… it’s lebron.
youtube video doesn’t work anymore but here ya go:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/5395993/new_lebron_james_commercial_for_nike_must_see/
Gotta flip that image image.
that was mother-stinking awesome…
I love it. We spend so much time figuring out which version of ourselves that the people around us want that we forget which version we actually want to be.
So Bron invites the world to view his decision then gets butt hurt when they take exception his audacity. Got it.
I haven’t really watched basketball seriously since Jordan retired (the second time), so my comments are in no way related to any personal affinity for/against Lebron James.
That said, did you notice the derision and condescension in his voice every time he asked, “Should I be who you want me to be?”
Clearly, the implication is that “no”, he should be himself because none of us want to be told who to be either.
Unfortunately, the commercial only deeper ingrains the image that he is arrogant. I can only reject others’ criticism if I believe I am perfect. “I’ve gotta be me” implies there is nothing wrong with me.
Perhaps this is his way of telling us that he’s willing to either play the villain or be adored by those who don’t mind the ego (and respect the dunk).
I really couldn’t care less about the trade to Miami. Seems to be a good career move but hardly challenges Jordan’s legacy.
Nevertheless, Lebron’s statements reveal that he embraces a morally relativistic worldview on some level. What if, Lebron, the concepts of loyalty, humility, selflessness, and sacrifice aren’t what I want you to be but rather are timeless character traits of your Maker (the real King)?
What if they’re bigger than you and me? What if I fail at them too? What if we all need a little grace? What if we never get it because we’re too proud to admit that we screwed up?
It’s very American. Determine your own destiny, be your own person, the whole bit…
It really doesn’t change anything about the choices he’s made or how I perceive him, but from a marketing perspective, this is brilliant.
It says, “I hear what you all are saying. I just really don’t care. I’m not here to please you.”
Everybody who helped come up with this should get a huge raise. They’ve managed to take all the negativity that was thrown at Lebron and create positive momentum out of it.
As a parent, though, this is scary. The implied argument here is totally ridiculous, and kids are gonna eat it up. What if my son gets kicked out of school and says, “Dad, what should I do? Should I be who you want me to be?”
Maybe it should end with a disclaimer: “This mentality only works in the short-term, and even then, only if you happen to be one of the wealthiest and most talented and admired people on the planet.”
At the end of the day, the man is still one of us. And by one of us, I mean a flawed and broken human being who at the end of the day seeks approval and acceptance. Although he has been blessed with enormous God-given physical gifts, you can clearly see LeBron still needs this acceptance. It is called pride, we all have it, and we all need approval in some shape or form. Any one who is honest can not deny this.
With all that being said, I am a lifelong Cleveland sports fan and I will miss LBJ greatly. Yet, at the end of the day life goes on, with or without him. If he did not want to be here, better for him to go.
I say, good for LeBron to do what he believes will make him happy in the end. I hope along his journey though, he realizes that striving to attain happiness and fulfillment is futile apart from God. No matter how many rings he wins or how much money he accumulates, he will never fill that eternal void we all have in our hearts with finite stuff. Maybe he already has understood this to be true. I hope so.
Lasting fulfillment can only come from One Source.
Love this commercial!
I believe Lebron’s message to all of us, is to simply be your own individual.
This video would be good resource for a leadership seminar IMO.
It’s not the decision as much as the manner in which the decision was made and announced. The commercial would be much better had he not acted the way he did.
great commercial
I think we hold celebrities under a microscope. No matter what they do they are scrutinized. NO ONE in the world has the ability to please everyone, no matter who they are.
I am sure LeBron knows and will openly admit that he has made mistakes (just like any of us) … and I applaud him for just being who he is.
The Lebron thing is what it is…not going to judge that stuff. He’s a broken man making decisions with more pressure than I could ever imagine. I screw up my decisions just fine on my own without a ton of pressure.
But in terms of marketing genius by Nike, this one ranks WAY up there.
I liked the commercial. I laughed pretty hard. I live in Akron. My husband actually helped with the Lebron Rally here in Akron. What Lebron did wrong had nothing to do with loyalty or being a role model. It was a lack of tact. The way he handled the entire situation was completely void of tact. Lebron can try to redeem himself with witty one liners written by a Nike top dog, but he is the only one who knows what is in his heart. He knows that he could have given the city who loved him a bit more respect. The city didn’t care that he left. That is his right. He’s paid enough to buy a lesson in “give a crap 101″. He should of had one of those commercial writers write his farewell speech. (but I’m not bitter…
Bringing in Don Johnson was a stroke of genius.
Brilliant ad, but sad. It wasn’t where he decided to play, it was how he decided to do it. Should he admit that he’s made mistakes? Yes- that’s the mature, wise thing to do when you’ve done something that’s hurt people, and a sign of true strength. Should he change his friends? Perhaps- if they’re immature and give him bad advice. I just thought that it was a cheap copout for him taking some responsibility. Also, think about it- any sort of selfish behavior can be rationalized by “I’m being who I want to be, not who you want me to be”…
Wait … what happened with Lebron?
Ha. But seriously … Apparently I need a Google.
Utter self-absorption. He intentionally MAKES a big deal out of moving to Miami and therefore knowingly embarasses his Cleveland fans and then becomes indignant that he gets backlash? When you spit in someone’s face don’t you expect to get slapped? Why does he expect to be kissed?