Will Brinson kicked it in Akron with Nike and LeBron James for the release of LBJ's new shoe and documentary. We're referring it as 'Ballin' With LeBron.'LeBron's documentary, "More Than a Game," debuts in October. I recommend seeing it, especially if you care to learn more about the guy who might arguably go down as the greatest player in NBA history.
Sports documentaries are hard-pressed to be successful. Two problems usually arise: either we already know plenty about the subject at hand or we just don't care. In the case of LeBron James' documentary, "More Than a Game", that's somehow not the case.
This is a bizarre fact, of course, because the media and the basketball-watching world has been following LBJ since he entered high school at St. Vincent-St. Mary's in Akron, Ohio. Ergo, in theory, henceforth, etc., we should already know far too much about King James' life.
But that fact is also why the documentary about Bron's high school basketball career comes off so well -- there is an absolutely insane amount of footage relating to James and his friends as well as their SVSM seasons.
Which, honestly, is a little disturbing. I mean, right -- it has to be, I think; and it's okay, I'm just as morally conflicted about this as it sounds. This is a film that, because it chronicles Bron's years in high school, could have easily been released four or five years ago, if you want to really give a wide berth for editing.
Obviously the notion of releasing a documentary about yourself as a second or third-year player in the NBA is beyond absurd, but then again, isn't the whole notion of planning the same documentary?
(Rhetorical answer: Yes. Yes it is, regardless of how awesome you are.)
That being said though, the story's still enjoyable. Why? Because as much as I watch sports and have watched sports over the past decade, I didn't see every single play in LeBron's high school career.
Sure, I remember when he briefly lost his eligibility -- for one game, which, frankly was WAY over-dramatized in the doc -- after his mother secured a loan for a Hummer. And I remember when he got his eligibility back and SVSM won the state and national titles.
I didn't know, at least until spending the weekend in Akron, that Dru III was the son of "Coach Dru." Of course, that's probably because I didn't know who Coach Dru was -- his attitude throughout the course of the weekend really explains a lot as to why he's been successful; the guy has a tremendously positive outlook on life, he gets along with nearly everyone and has a fantastic notion of core moral values.
And that was something fascinating to see within the documentary -- how he played the role of father figure for someone like LeBron, who grew up in a single parent (his mother was 16 when he was born) home and could have struggled without some direction in his life.
Maybe that -- the idea that the world somehow might not have ever gotten to see LeBron James play basketball, a shudder-worthy prospect indeed -- was the core principle of the film. Because without that, regardless of the entertainment level (high, despite graphic cheesiness), the idea of an entire movie dedicated to a "global icon" before he was ever supposed to be famous and set in a time when the entire world was asking, "Is this too much/too early?" seems perilously dangerous, at least for the prospect of this continuing with every "could-be-great" player.
I'm not knocking the film -- I'd absolutely watch it again on cable and if I hadn't been privileged enough to catch a sneak preview, I'd probably pay $6.75 (or whatever movie theaters are charging these days) -- to watch it. Just the game footage, featuring a lanky LeBron James, diced and spliced for effect is completely worth it.
But as noted above, unless we're supposed to think of life without LeBron or to really jump onto the idea of friendships being born out of successful high school athletics, there's always going to be something disturbing about posed pictures and videos of high school athletes, especially when it was blatantly being setup for a movie later.
Of course, I watched his games then. And I watched the movie now. So don't let me keep you from watching it -- I'm as guilty as anyone else.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I live in the cleveland area and everyone should go see this movie. It's a great thing to see a local kid from a broken family make it and turn around and help his community. I am a contractor doing work in the inner city of Cleveland and I've seen how the kids desire family and role models, James has put a lot of money and time into seeing that their lives are better. It's nice to see an athlete give back.
Anyone arguing James is the greatest player ever is arguing just for the hell of it. Has he led the nba in assists? Chamberlain has. Scoring? Likewise. Rebounding? Likewise? Field goal percentage? Likewise. Won a championship? Chamberlain won two. Wasn`t enough for his critics. Why is winning two a loser and winning none a winner? Talented young man. Cute earrings, if you like that sort of thing. His coach obviously does. Kissed him on camera. Maybe he is the best tasting player in the Nba ever, in the estimation of some. Something I don`t want to know if true. I`ll stick with the Wnba for that. Comeback in a dozen years, if he`s won championships, led the league in assists, rebounding, scoring, field goal percentage, etc.
why do you keep telling this guy he's the greatest ever.
has he ever won anything, NO!.
Jordan has 6 rings, Magic got 5 and 3 MVP's.
Bird had 3 while playing in Magics era and won 3 straight MVP's.
What about Kareem? The guy was unbelievable.
Oscar Robertson? what about Wilt?
Ever heard of Bill Russell? 11 Championships!!!
What about the Players that are still active? Shaq has 4 rings, Kobe has 4 Rings, Tim Duncan has 3. What about Chauncey Billups?
Stop kissing this guys ass so much. We're all tired of it. Let him prove he's that good by doing something.
Sorry, although I undoubtedly would be enthralled by this epic portrayal, I have an even higher-priority engagement (with far more mesmerizing potential) to watch my grass grow.
I don't think the writer of this article knows the story behind how the documentary came about. Lebron had nothing to do with this. It was a college kid who was born in Ohio(not sure what part) and wanted to make the documentary for a college project. He approached coach Dru who agreed to the filming to help the kid out with his project. Lebron the teenager was not behind this at all.
LeBron is an amazing athlete with perhaps the most incredible potential of any NBA player. Potential being the key word. Until the guy shows he can elevate everyone around him and dominate at the same time AND win not one or two, but at least the number of rings Jordan won, all of this hype about him being the GOAT is ridiculous. Players EARN title like that with sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears. LeBron hasn't earned anything yet. Until he drops 100 pts in a game, or wins 7 NBA rings, or averages a triple double for a season-all this hype is just that-hype.
Yes, it's good the local kid from a broken family made it and made it big. But honestly, he's a self-promotion machine and I'm tired of all this LeBron is the Greatest talk. Gimme more info on Tim Duncan (greatest PF in NBA history) who plays the game quietly and with dignity and humility (and scorched people for years in the process of winning 4 rings) any day. Heck, give me more info on Jordan who had the greatest will power of all time in just about any sport. Just stop giving me more info on LeBron. Overkill already.
To all that are criticizing the notion that Lebron James could be the best player in NBA history:
Have you seen him play? Really, have you seen him play? He hasn't won a championship yet, but the guy is on an island playing for Cleveland. Granted, I don't consider him the greatest player in NBA history just yet, as he'd have to keep doing this for a lot longer to earn that title, but I also do believe he has a legitimate chance to do so. Lebron James is a truly extraordinary athlete, whether you love to hate on him or not.
Did you actually see the movie, or just sleep through it? LeBron did not initiate this film. It was 3/4 completed before he was approached to work with the project. This is a documentary about a coach whose main goal is to make men out of boys; giving your all to achieve your dreams; and five young men who have their heads on straight. What an inspirational movie!