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Massive Outbreaks of LeBromptimism Cited Across the City
By
Ben Yakas
Published May 10, 2010
Modified May 10, 2010
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By
Ben Yakas
Published May 10, 2010
Modified May 10, 2010
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Last week, we took a look at the growing phenomena of LeBromptimism, the zen-like certainty some (slightly delusional) NYers have that LeBron James is a'coming to save our bedraggled, despondent Knicks; now this week, we've discovered more cases of Lebroptimism spreading and infecting minds all across NYC!
This weeks New York Magazine devotes its cover and main feature all to the titular subject: "Hey LeBron, Welcome to New York." Over several pages of medieval wizard-esque logic, several reasonable and somewhat desperate points are made by the writers to convince LeBron, and themselves, why he should/is/will be/must be coming here.
They include some quotes from famous NYers encouraging LeBron to come, including NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly ("We should use bribery or whatever we can to get him. He’s phenomenal.”), designer Tommy Hilfiger ("I'd give him free clothes."), actor John Leguizamo ("Have you ever been to Scores, LeBron? There’s no strip club like New York strip clubs. You can have whatever dancer you want. And endorsements up the ass!") and twitter-personality Ice-T ("Start the LeBron James Fund, and get everybody in New York to pitch in a dollar.”).
There's also this fascinating tidbit, addressed directly to LeBron, that reveals some more about the behind-the-scenes circus at MSG, and the lengths the Knicks brass are willing to go to get LeBron here:
"His name is John Gabriel, and he invented the pull-out-all-the-stops, research-intensive approach to free-agent schmoozing when he was general manager in Orlando. Technically, his title is director of pro scouting and free agency, but it really should be “guy in charge of showering love on LeBron James.” Gabriel keeps detailed files on your likes, dislikes, and habits. He’s even been rehearsing for you. Remember last summer, when the Knicks were pursuing free agents Jason Kidd and Grant Hill? Those overtures, a Knicks insider told us, were just a recital for the performance you will get. The team never realistically considered signing either of them."
The Daily News has too come down with an acute case of LeBromptimism, creating a page for readers to photoshop LeBron into NYC photos (because...that's what adults do with their time?). They even go so far as to publish a story with absolutely no news angle whatsoever, as an excuse to accumulate some more fawning quotes from NYer's on the prospect of LeBron coming. And they preyed upon those most-willing to believe: "I might faint," admitted 12-year-old Dontae Ford, a sixth-grader from Harlem.
Tagged
basektball
knicks
lebromptimism
Lebron James
mass delusion
nba
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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