Some college hoopster dunked on LBJ during a pickup game of a Nike sponsored basketball camp. A video of the incident was recorded by one of the people watching from the sidelines which the ever careful people of Nike quickly confiscated after reportedly conferring first with LBJ. Apparently, according to Nike, video recording in the camp without their knowledge or permission is prohibited granting them rights to claim ownership of such materials.
Nike is doing a good job of playing its role as spin doctors by quickly implementing damage control to protect the image of its number one endorser to the hilt. Nike has spent so much for LBJ ever since he had been viewed under a microscope dating back from his prodigous highschool career.
This series of unsolicibbted publicity adds to the negative publicity James have recently figured into. Just a few days ago, James was reported disclosing his intent to stay as a Cav past 2010 apparently as a bargaining chip to lure Ariza, who already verbally committed to the Rockets, away from Houston to sign with the Cavs.
LBJ isn't exactly a media and fan darling Nike had hoped to. His recent playoff debacle is another stone to throw at LBJ and his stat filled credentials that haven't translated to a ring seven years going to the NBA. Critics are having a field day blasting Nike for what they perceived as undue hype accorded to the player. People have become well aware that a ring is the ultimate validity of a basketball player's career and until LBJ gets one his not so original pre game ritual of spewing powder.....the mimes are are interpreted as arrogance
Nike is still waiting for the ultimate validity that will save their faces years after having anointed LBJ as their flagship basketball shoe endorser. Until that day comes, LBJ is just another marketing icon playing one man flashy basketball
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