Why isnt James as popular as other athletes worldwide?

[RagaZ]

Bryant, Messi, Ronaldo, Federer, Messi, Bolt etc.

People in U.S thinks that LeBum is in the same class as these athletes. (I dont think he is, but thats another story)

He is the most famous athlete in America.

But why isnt he even in the top 10 over most famous athletes in the world, even if he is the "so called best player in the world"?

There is a reason why NIKE didnt have him in their big commercial back in 2010, they had Federer, Bryant, Ronaldo etc.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSggaxXUS8k

Is it because he is ugly?. Lack of charisma?

Everybody knows Jordan and Bryant in England. Other than basketball fans, few have heard about James. The only reason they know him is because of his involvement in Liverpool FC. :lol

[KingBeasley08]

Because no one cares about the rest of the world. USA = GOAT

Murrica is all that matters. Stay mad foreigners :lol

[STATUTORY]

ugly and non aesthetically pleasing face/body

What high end products can Lebron sell? Rogaine? comon son

[9erempiree]

People like winners that started at the bottom now they are at the top. Some sort of adversity to get them to emotionally root for them.

Lebron is none of that unless you want to count him as a crack baby. The first time he tasted it in his mother's womb.

[zoom17]

ugly and non aesthetically pleasing face/body

What high end products can Lebron sell? Rogaine? comon son

:oldlol:

[moe94]

Messi is a manlet troll and Ronaldinho was/is the most popular footballer of the entire generation. Attractiveness is hardly an indicator of popularity. How is LeBron uglier than Bolt, for example?

Messi is the least charismatic athlete in the world. His talent transcends all this.

[LONGTIME]

Bryant, Messi, Ronaldo, Federer, Messi, Bolt etc.

People in U.S thinks that LeBum is in the same class as these athletes. (I dont think he is, but thats another story)

He is the most famous athlete in America.

But why isnt he even in the top 10 over most famous athletes in the world, even if he is the "so called best player in the world"?

There is a reason why NIKE didnt have him in their big commercial back in 2010, they had Federer, Bryant, Ronaldo etc.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSggaxXUS8k

Is it because he is ugly?. Lack of charisma?

Everybody knows Jordan and Bryant in England. Other than basketball fans, few have heard about James. The only reason they know him is because of his involvement in Liverpool FC. :lol

Is he really?

[zoom17]

People like winners that started at the bottom now they are at the top. Some sort of adversity to get them to emotionally root for them.

Lebron is none of that unless you want to count him as a crack baby. The first time he tasted it in his mother's womb.

Kobe started at the bottom:facepalm He had shaq Early in his career:oldlol:

[outbreak]

people love stories, rightly or wrongly a hometown hero who leaves his first team without fulfulling promises to join with other stars isn't a popular story line.

Also his game is very raw, he doesn't have the moves that make him the obvious best player on the court.

I have wondered about this though, over here when I talk to people who don't follow basketball they all know Kobe and some seem to know rose and howard more than Lebron or Durant (durant's still young though)

[Nash]

Bryant, Messi, Ronaldo, Federer, Messi, Bolt etc.

People in U.S thinks that LeBum is in the same class as these athletes. (I dont think he is, but thats another story)

He is the most famous athlete in America.

But why isnt he even in the top 10 over most famous athletes in the world, even if he is the "so called best player in the world"?

There is a reason why NIKE didnt have him in their big commercial back in 2010, they had Federer, Bryant, Ronaldo etc.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSggaxXUS8k

Is it because he is ugly?. Lack of charisma?

Everybody knows Jordan and Bryant in England. Other than basketball fans, few have heard about James. The only reason they know him is because of his involvement in Liverpool FC. :lol
soccer players + Bolt are the only sportsmen the rest of the world care about. The rest are not relavant. It's not like people in Africa or South America know who who Kobe or Federer are. Go to any small village in Africa or South America and I promise you they know who Messi, Ronaldo and Bolt are but show them a pic of Kobe or Federer and they have no idea who those guys are.

[zoom17]

people love stories, rightly or wrongly a hometown hero who leaves his first team without fulfulling promises to join with other stars isn't a popular story line.

Also his game is very raw, he doesn't have the moves that make him the obvious best player on the court.

I have wondered about this though, over here when I talk to people who don't follow basketball they all know Kobe and some seem to know rose and howard more than Lebron or Durant (durant's still young though)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JO48-rxip68/Tk2lrsplUmI/AAAAAAAAATw/4XTLbEy93CU/s1600/Lebron_Shanghai_FOS_028.jpg

You guys are underrating how well known he is worldwide

[Solefade]

First off LeBron isn't even more popular than Kobe in America

second, Kobe didn't start "from the bottom". Playing with Shaq on the Lakers isn't exactly humble beginnings.

[G-train]

From my travels around the world I'd say everyone knows Lebron.

[leMVP]

Really?

[jlip]

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/9512608/poll-shows-lebron-james-passes-kobe-bryant-nba-most-popular-player

http://poy.time.com/2013/11/25/vote-now-who-should-be-times-person-of-the-year/slide/lebron-james/

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20131002/sports/710029593/

:confusedshrug:

[outbreak]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JO48-rxip68/Tk2lrsplUmI/AAAAAAAAATw/4XTLbEy93CU/s1600/Lebron_Shanghai_FOS_028.jpg

You guys are underrating how well known he is worldwide

I'm not saying he isnt' well known and I'm not from China either, just in my experience more people seem to know other players rather than Lebron here. Even when I go into sports shops they usually have rose, howard (still magic lol), bogut, kobe, garnett jerseys more often than Lebron jerseys for some reason

I would put it down to the fact that basketball had a popularity increase during the kobe era whereas it seems to be down at the moment, no idea about rose and howard though but they seem to have their merch everywhere here.

[outbreak]

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/9512608/poll-shows-lebron-james-passes-kobe-bryant-nba-most-popular-player

http://poy.time.com/2013/11/25/vote-now-who-should-be-times-person-of-the-year/slide/lebron-james/

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20131002/sports/710029593/

:confusedshrug:

sorry but isn't this thread about his popularity in other countries?

[jlip]

sorry but isn't this thread about his popularity in other countries?

One link specifically says, LeBron James' No. 6 jersey is the most popular worldwide, according to rankings released by the NBA.

Also I would assume that an ESPN poll that is conducted via the internet is not limited to the U.S.

[Magic 32]

This

He's very popular in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and even in South America.

OP is also an annoying, smells like dog poop, ugly looking, homosexual, douchebag from europe who loves eating his own feces.

Love me some hate speech.

[knicksman]

because nobody roots for losers. By joining wade, he basically admitted to the whole world that he cant do it without cheating. And as they say, cheaters never win.

[Solefade]

because nobody roots for losers. By joining wade, he basically admitted to the whole world that he cant do it without cheating. And as they say, cheaters never win.

shut teh fck up

[PJR]

Ten million people tuned in to watch him make a free agent decision.

[Mr. Jabbar]

doesn't pass the eye test

[russwest0]

Because of this

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302139

[tmacattack33]

LOL at this. :oldlol:

And LOL at anyone taking the OP's random opinion as something meaningful. I don't care what some random person (the OP) thinks about this topic based on what he sees at his local mall...lol :roll: .



There is no doubt in my mind that Lebron is right there with Kobe as far as who is the most well known basketball player worldwide.

And the reason Kobe is up there with Lebron is because he has been in the league since 1996. If you compare Lebron right now to Kobe in the summer of 2007, Lebron would win.

[Spaulding]

ugly and non aesthetically pleasing face/body

What high end products can Lebron sell? Rogaine? comon son

Lol so true.

[inclinerator]

wow bran is so good

[lakers_forever]

From my travels around the world I'd say everyone knows Lebron.

Everyone? lol Lebron has not yet transcended the sport of basketball. For my experience living in South America and have spent a couple of months in Europe (Lisbon, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris and London), mostly only basketball fans know him.

Speaking about Europe and Latin America in terms of fame:

Soccer players (Messi, C. Ronaldo, and retired players like Pele and Maradona >>>>> Lebron

MJ (he has transcended basketball, altough I don't think he is as famous as Pele and Maradona) >>>>> Lebron

Kobe (transcended a little, but not even close to Jordan's fame) >> Lebron

Ali and Tyson >>>>> Lebron


And I've read at Repucom that Pele is like the 9th most famous athlete in China right now. And the man stopped playing in 1977 (also China is not really a soccer nation). We can use "everyone knows" for a guy like him, not to Lebron.

[midatlantic09]

ugly and non aesthetically pleasing face/body

What high end products can Lebron sell? Rogaine? comon son

Yea man, Usain Bolt is an absolute stud in the looks department....:rolleyes:

[midatlantic09]

Lol so true.

How do you explain Usain Bolt then?

He's not exactly a good looking guy.

[#number6ix#]

neither one is more popular than justin bieber

[Ronaldinho]

soccer players + Bolt are the only sportsmen the rest of the world care about. The rest are not relavant. It's not like people in Africa or South America know who who Kobe or Federer are. Go to any small village in Africa or South America and I promise you they know who Messi, Ronaldo and Bolt are but show them a pic of Kobe or Federer and they have no idea who those guys are.
Not true at all. People who dont give shit about basketball knows who Kobe and Michael Jordan are. In the same way people who dont give a **** about boxing knows Mike Tyson. And thats wordwilde, here in Brasil, or Africa, or anywhere.

[lakers_forever]

How do you explain Usain Bolt then?

He's not exactly a good looking guy.

Because in terms of popularity:

The Olympics >>>>> NBA

Messi looks like a retard, has no charisma, but he is the world's best soccer player. That's enough to be really, really extremely famous worldwide, because soccer is by far the most popular sport.

With basketball (not anywhere near soccer in terms of popularity), being the best player is not enough, you have to transcend the sport to be known even by those who don't know anything about basketball.

Maybe Lebron lacks the charisma or an aesthetically pleasing looking style of play for non basketball fans. I don't know. Maybe he will transcend the sport if he dominates for more years in some insane way.

[lakers_forever]

Not true at all. People who dont give shit about basketball knows who Kobe and Michael Jordan are. In the same way people who dont give a **** about boxing knows Mike Tyson. And thats wordwilde, here in Brasil, or Africa, or anywhere.

I kind of agree with Nash. I'm brazilian like you. I asked the workers of my bulding (40 to 50 years old) if they knew who Michael Jordan was and none of them knew (I did not ask about Kobe, but there is no way in hell they do know him if they don't even know Jordan). They all know Mike Tyson (probably more than Ali) though because Globo (the most popular brazilian station) used to broadcast his fights. I think if you go to the countryside, it would be even worse.

[Rekindled]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JO48-rxip68/Tk2lrsplUmI/AAAAAAAAATw/4XTLbEy93CU/s1600/Lebron_Shanghai_FOS_028.jpg

You guys are underrating how well known he is worldwide

replace lebron with any of the above athletes you get the same attraction.

[kamil]

Because no one cares about the rest of the world. USA = GOAT

Murrica is all that matters. Stay mad foreigners :lol

And THIS is why everyone outside of USA says americans are geographically and culturally stupid.

Its too bad though, because there are many intelligent americans being overshadowed by a few highschool dropouts.

[k0kakw0rld]

Messi is a manlet troll and Ronaldinho was/is the most popular footballer of the entire generation. Attractiveness is hardly an indicator of popularity. How is LeBron uglier than Bolt, for example?

Messi is the least charismatic athlete in the world. His talent transcends all this.
:biggums: :wtf:

Stop talking out of your ass. :facepalm Ronaldinho? Really? According to you right?!

***DAVID BECKHAM IS THE MOST POPULAR FOOTBALLER OF ALL TIME***

[Tking714]

People in U.S thinks that LeBum is in the same class as these athletes. (I dont think he is, but thats another story)


Riveting facts and sources. Tell more

[G-train]

Everyone? lol Lebron has not yet transcended the sport of basketball. For my experience living in South America and have spent a couple of months in Europe (Lisbon, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris and London), mostly only basketball fans know him.

Speaking about Europe and Latin America in terms of fame:

Soccer players (Messi, C. Ronaldo, and retired players like Pele and Maradona >>>>> Lebron

MJ (he has transcended basketball, altough I don't think he is as famous as Pele and Maradona) >>>>> Lebron

Kobe (transcended a little, but not even close to Jordan's fame) >> Lebron

Ali and Tyson >>>>> Lebron


And I've read at Repucom that Pele is like the 9th most famous athlete in China right now. And the man stopped playing in 1977 (also China is not really a soccer nation). We can use "everyone knows" for a guy like him, not to Lebron.

False.

[jlip]

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/9512608/poll-shows-lebron-james-passes-kobe-bryant-nba-most-popular-player

http://poy.time.com/2013/11/25/vote-now-who-should-be-times-person-of-the-year/slide/lebron-james/

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20131002/sports/710029593/

:confusedshrug:

I don't know why I waste my time in troll threads, but anyways... It's clear from the links above that Lebron is, as recent as two weeks ago, the world's most popular basketball player. If he is not as popular as the biggest soccer/ football, lacrosse, or cricket star that says more about the popularity of the respective sports than the individual athletes.

[OhNoTimNoSho]

Cus he doesn't do cool shit.


He isn't doing crazy dunks and ridiculous layups and scoring 50 to keep a buzz going. He just lays low and does the bare minimum. He plays it too safe and that shits not appealing to random people. Its not entertaining. People wanna see cool shit, they want to hear cool stories, they want to have a sense of amazement. Lebron just doesnt inspire that shit with his safe style.

[0000000]

Because he's a corporate puppet with no personality. He caters to the typical American fan and is a byproduct of the American political correctness culture. Also, Stern's new rules have made athletes into drones. Stuff such as dress code etc. Maybe he does have personality but media wise, he was always about saying the right thing.

What really solidified Kobe was winning without Shaq and being better than ever after he has touched the bottom.
Kobe has touched the bottom. Everything was in jeopardy for him. And he responded to controversy by playing better than ever.

LeBron is just great at basketball. Not a great story like Kobe. Like someone said, people love stories. Kobe's story makes him somewhat iconic, more than a basketball player. And I think Kobe has just has that IT factor where people genuinely care about him. Love him or hate him, everyone pays attention to him whereas no one is really invested in LeBron.

Kobe's story is indeed fascinating. I remmeber back in the day when AI and his fans considered Kobe to be soft and fake..not enough street cred and all. Seeing how Kobe's career has unfolded, it is just amazing. And recently when the media asked AI about Kobe, he said, don't worry about him, he's a killer...from a guy who once considered Kobe fake and soft.


Kobe's career played out like a movie.

[knicksman]

Because in terms of popularity:

The Olympics >>>>> NBA

Messi looks like a retard, has no charisma, but he is the world's best soccer player. That's enough to be really, really extremely famous worldwide, because soccer is by far the most popular sport.

With basketball (not anywhere near soccer in terms of popularity), being the best player is not enough, you have to transcend the sport to be known even by those who don't know anything about basketball.

Maybe Lebron lacks the charisma or an aesthetically pleasing looking style of play for non basketball fans. I don't know. Maybe he will transcend the sport if he dominates for more years in some insane way.

betas lack charisma.

[chazzy]

I don't know why I waste my time in troll threads, but anyways... It's clear from the links above that Lebron is, as recent as two weeks ago, the world's most popular basketball player. If he is not as popular as the biggest soccer/ football, lacrosse, or cricket star that says more about the popularity of the respective sports than the individual athletes.
Jersey sales isn't a fool proof determinant of global popularity. The ESPN poll is US only

[0000000]

Messi is not the best player in the world! It is Cristiano Ronaldo easily. He's the most complete, best all around player ever IMO.
For some reason, people just don't want to celebrate him as the best. He kind of plays that villain role in the world of soccer.

Messi has no charisma, true but he is also one of the best players ever. Being an alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo and the only person in the world who can compete with Cristiano makes Messi more popular than he'd be otherwise. He basically plays off of Ronaldo. His only draw marketing wise is that he is not Ronaldo.

When it's all said and done, Ronaldo will be remembered as better! He js better and more dedicated and just greater. Even though FIFA bs awards will always go to Messi.

[jlip]

Jersey sales isn't a fool proof determinant of global popularity. The ESPN poll is US only

What about the Time magazine link? At some point when three separate sources independent of each other make the same claim, and no other source (at least that I know of) refutes the claim, the burden of proof now lies with those who disagree. Find me any link, poll, or source that says that Lebron is not presently the most popular NBA player in the world. If you can, and it's legit, I will gladly recant my statement.

[allball]

In any country in which basketball is popular, Lebron is the most well known basketball player and one of the most well known athletes in that country. I would love to see the percentage of people who know who Michael Jordan and Kobe are but have never heard of Lebron.

Soccer is much bigger globally than basketball.

Ali's popularity is up there with Nelson Mandela and MLK so much bigger than just an athlete.

[pauk]

He is as popular as any athlete at least around here and the most popular basketball player (Croatia), if he is not so popular in other countries then NBA basketball is not so popular in that country either. Majority of European countries are like that, i blame the overrated sport of soccer, we Euros just have a thing for watching 20+ midgets running around flopping & passing the ball and maybe scoring 1 lucky goal after hours and hours.... its sad i know...

[ripthekik]

He's just not good looking like Kobe, why can't anyone just say it bluntly?

[KOBE143]

Because he's ugly and has gross body unlike Kobe who is cute, sexy and has a yummilicious body..

[Dresta]

Bryant, Messi, Ronaldo, Federer, Messi, Bolt etc.

People in U.S thinks that LeBum is in the same class as these athletes. (I dont think he is, but thats another story)

He is the most famous athlete in America.

But why isnt he even in the top 10 over most famous athletes in the world, even if he is the "so called best player in the world"?

There is a reason why NIKE didnt have him in their big commercial back in 2010, they had Federer, Bryant, Ronaldo etc.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSggaxXUS8k

Is it because he is ugly?. Lack of charisma?

Everybody knows Jordan and Bryant in England. Other than basketball fans, few have heard about James. The only reason they know him is because of his involvement in Liverpool FC. :lol
untrue.

untrue.


I live there.

[FlashDwyaneWade3]

Because LeBron plays for a small market team. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant all played for a big market team and their names are famous world wide.

[PieceOfFelt]

untrue.

untrue.


I live there.

Thank god we have an English perspective on this board. Where would we be without it?

[Dresta]

Messi is not the best player in the world! It is Cristiano Ronaldo easily. He's the most complete, best all around player ever IMO.
For some reason, people just don't want to celebrate him as the best. He kind of plays that villain role in the world of soccer.

Messi has no charisma, true but he is also one of the best players ever. Being an alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo and the only person in the world who can compete with Cristiano makes Messi more popular than he'd be otherwise. He basically plays off of Ronaldo. His only draw marketing wise is that he is not Ronaldo.

When it's all said and done, Ronaldo will be remembered as better! He js better and more dedicated and just greater. Even though FIFA bs awards will always go to Messi.

:facepalm

[hitmanyr2k]

Cus he doesn't do cool shit.


He isn't doing crazy dunks and ridiculous layups and scoring 50 to keep a buzz going. He just lays low and does the bare minimum. He plays it too safe and that shits not appealing to random people. Its not entertaining. People wanna see cool shit, they want to hear cool stories, they want to have a sense of amazement. Lebron just doesnt inspire that shit with his safe style.

The only decent and true post in this entire thread. If Lebron were playing like Cleveland Lebron and winning titles there's no doubt he'd be more popular. Since he went to Miami his game has become a complete bore to watch. And his playing safe and whoring for efficiency last season and this season isn't making things any better from an entertainment standpoint. Great for ESPN stat nerds, ho hum for NBA viewers.

[Rose'sACL]

The only decent and true post in this entire thread. If Lebron were playing like Cleveland Lebron and winning titles there's no doubt he'd be more popular. Since he went to Miami his game has become a complete bore to watch. And his playing safe and whoring for efficiency last season and this season isn't making things any better from an entertainment standpoint. Great for ESPN stat nerds, ho hum for NBA viewers.
scum like you should stop calling themselves true nba fans. you are the reason spurs games don't get high ratings unless they are playing a so called "entertaining" team.

[KingBeasley08]

Messi is not the best player in the world! It is Cristiano Ronaldo easily.
http://rapradar.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/mj-gif.gif

[ripthekik]

Also, why would the world idolize someone who had to join up with other stars after losing year after year?

Jordan, Kobe, Messi, all of the other stars didn't have to do that. Other stars came to them.

Lebron would be the wrong example for kids. "Can't beat them, join them"

[NauruDude]

No one even knows Jordan where I am here in Nepal. Messi, Beckham, Ronaldo are known but Jordan is just WTF (they know the country sometimes)

[midatlantic09]

He's just not good looking like Kobe, why can't anyone just say it bluntly?

so most sports fans are on the downlow and haven't realized it yet?

[hitmanyr2k]

scum like you should stop calling themselves true nba fans. you are the reason spurs games don't get high ratings unless they are playing a so called "entertaining" team.

The same Spurs that cared so much about the fans that they were sitting their healthy players and getting fined by the league? And I've been watching the Spurs since you were wetting the bed dumb **** :oldlol:

[Rose'sACL]

The same Spurs that cared so much about the fans that they were sitting their healthy players and getting fined by the league? And I've been watching the Spurs since you were wetting the bed dumb **** :oldlol:
why do people write stuff they can't prove. i posted a reply based on your post. you posted a reply on the assumption that anyone who doesn't agree with you is 10 yrs old.

[I.R.Beast]

International fans gravitate toward athletes whose games are more aesthetically pleasing and fundamentally sound and/or graceful all while being a great player.

[Sumter15]

ITT: people ignoring statistics that go against their biases.

[Straight_Ballin]

Love me some hate speech.

Not sure if serious. Word has been used with a negative meaning since long before any of us were born. Don't hate the player. Hate the game.

Also OP is probably considered to be a chav in England.

[pauk]

International fans gravitate toward athletes whose games are more aesthetically pleasing and fundamentally sound and/or graceful all while being a great player.

I would think that a....

.....~6'9-270 guy flying allover the place who essentially has the ability to play even Point-Guard better than anybody thanks to his ballcontrol, vision, passing ability (which is GOAT level aesthetic), intangibles/IQ and ON TOP OF THAT be the best scorer in the NBA, from the perimeter, shooting 60-47-80 while averaging 26 ppg thanks to his vast arsenal from the perimeter, post, paint to convert extremly efficiently, whos OUTCOME of what he is doing is greater than anybody....

....would know a thing or two about fundamentals and being pleasing.....

[Xiengqichess]

I am from Asia and I know Kobe is way more popular than Le Bron. First, Kobe played for the Lakers so they followed the Lakers since the three peat days. And people from other countries like atlethes with skills not just big bodies. No body respects Shaquille's game because they think Shaquille is so good because of his size. Same with James, people think he's good because he runs faster, jumps higher, bigger than others not that he learns or works harder.

[coin24]

I would think that a....

.....~6'9-270 guy flying allover the place who essentially has the ability to play even Point-Guard better than anybody thanks to his ballcontrol, vision, passing ability (which is GOAT level aesthetic), intangibles/IQ and ON TOP OF THAT be the best scorer in the NBA, from the perimeter, shooting 60-47-80 while averaging 26 ppg thanks to his vast arsenal from the perimeter, post, paint to convert extremly efficiently, whos OUTCOME of what he is doing is greater than anybody....

....would know a thing or two about fundamentals and being pleasing.....


Lists stats an efficiency when talking about aesthetically pleasing:oldlol:

[Trollsmasher]

LeBron is easily the most famous current American athlete in Europe

[sportjames23]

Because LeBron plays for a small market team. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant all played for a big market team and their names are famous world wide.


Miami's a small market?

[Random_Guy]

this is obviously a thread to troll lebron stans :facepalm:
but lemme answer seriously, Lebron is huge in Asia, unless of course, op is not including Asia(which has over half the population of the world) in his "worldwide"

Now I dont know about europe, but suppose he wasnt popular, that's probably because their thing is football. Yeah I know they have good teams, but doesnt mean the average Joe care about it. Just like nobody give a shit about messi here.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

What? He's one of the most popular active basketball players in the world. 2nd at worst.

[sportjames23]

No one even knows Jordan where I am here in Nepal. Messi, Beckham, Ronaldo are known but Jordan is just WTF (they know the country sometimes)


I call bullshit. Unless everyone else in Nepal don't have internet connectivity.

At the height of his fame, MJ was the most popular athlete in the world. Hell, the most popular man in the world. His poplularity was like Ali's in the 70's.


http://espn.go.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/1035/#11

[Lakers Legend#32]

He's a championship chaser.
He may have two rings, but not nearly the respect he would have if he won them in Cleveland.

[Crafty]

I can tell you that Lebron and Kobe are by far the most popular bball players in Europe.

[ripthekik]

He's a championship chaser.
He may have two rings, but not nearly the respect he would have if he won them in Cleveland.
Correct. These days when you go out, the conversation goes like this:

A: " Do you follow the NBA? Do you know Lebron?"
B: "Oh, the guy that kept losing, and had to jump ship to make a super team to finally win? Yeah I know him"

Meanwhile Kobe is known worldwide since the 3peat, and cemented his legacy worldwide with the 2peat as the man.

[Crafty]

Everyone? lol Lebron has not yet transcended the sport of basketball. For my experience living in South America and have spent a couple of months in Europe (Lisbon, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris and London), mostly only basketball fans know him.

Speaking about Europe and Latin America in terms of fame:

Soccer players (Messi, C. Ronaldo, and retired players like Pele and Maradona >>>>> Lebron

MJ (he has transcended basketball, altough I don't think he is as famous as Pele and Maradona) >>>>> Lebron

Kobe (transcended a little, but not even close to Jordan's fame) >> Lebron

Ali and Tyson >>>>> Lebron


And I've read at Repucom that Pele is like the 9th most famous athlete in China right now. And the man stopped playing in 1977 (also China is not really a soccer nation). We can use "everyone knows" for a guy like him, not to Lebron.

Did you like Lisbon?

[RagaZ]

Its a good point about playing in big markets.

Jordan played in Chicago, Bryant in L.A. That is 100x bigger than playing in Cleveland or Miami.

[Quickening]

Correct. These days when you go out, the conversation goes like this:

A: " Do you follow the NBA? Do you know Lebron?"
B: "Oh, the guy that kept losing, and had to jump ship to make a super team to finally win? Yeah I know him"

Meanwhile Kobe is known worldwide since the 3peat, and cemented his legacy worldwide with the 2peat as the man.
When I mention Kobe in the UK, people genuinely just ask, that rapist?

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Correct. These days when you go out, the conversation goes like this:

A: " Do you follow the NBA? Do you know Lebron?"
B: "Oh, the guy that kept losing, and had to jump ship to make a super team to finally win? Yeah I know him"

Meanwhile Kobe is known worldwide since the 3peat, and cemented his legacy worldwide with the 2peat as the man.
I knew you were insane but I didn't know that you had conversations with yourself. Please get some help.

[NLZ]

Bryant, Messi, Ronaldo, Federer, Messi, Bolt etc.

People in U.S thinks that LeBum is in the same class as these athletes. (I dont think he is, but thats another story)

He is the most famous athlete in America.

But why isnt he even in the top 10 over most famous athletes in the world, even if he is the "so called best player in the world"?

There is a reason why NIKE didnt have him in their big commercial back in 2010, they had Federer, Bryant, Ronaldo etc.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSggaxXUS8k

Is it because he is ugly?. Lack of charisma?

Everybody knows Jordan and Bryant in England. Other than basketball fans, few have heard about James. The only reason they know him is because of his involvement in Liverpool FC. :lol
how do you forget the #1 most famous player, Tiger Woods? No way LeBron is more famous lmao

[havoc33]

Kobe is by far the most popular NBA player around the world amongst those still active (nothing could beat MJs fame back in the day). I was at the Olympics in London last year and watched Team USA play, and every time Kobe touched the ball there was a buzz in the arena. Most of my friends who don't follow the NBA are very well aware of who Kobe is, but only a few knows Lebron and that he's actually a basketball player.

[TyroneNBAFan]

OP hates Lebron.

/thread

[BoutPractice]

I was rereading this argument about "starting from the bottom"... what's fascinating about it is that it's the exact opposite of reality!

Jordan was a middle class kid and Kobe the spoiled son of an NBA player (so that's not even middle class, that's like aristocracy if you think about it). LeBron actually comes from a poor background, raised by a single mom in a tough neighborhood etc., and made it out of the streets thanks to his basketball talent.

His story is much more inspirational in objective terms, yet for some reason it fails to resonate in the same way (and they don't even try to sell it that much). It's quite interesting to try to understand why... Because it's true that there's definitely this narrative around LeBron that he keeps being "gifted" things whereas others work every day to make it the "hard" way.

[tomtucker]

I was rereading this argument about "starting from the bottom"... what's fascinating about it is that it's the exact opposite of reality!

Jordan was a middle class kid and Kobe the spoiled son of an NBA player (so that's not even middle class, that's like aristocracy if you think about it). LeBron actually comes from a poor background, raised by a single mom in a tough neighborhood etc., and made it out of the streets thanks to his basketball talent.

His story is much more inspirational in objective terms, yet for some reason it fails to resonate in the same way (and they don't even try to sell it that much). It's quite interesting to try to understand why... Because it's true that there's definitely this narrative around LeBron that he keeps being "gifted" things whereas others work every day to make it the "hard" way.

and mom did not buy him shoes he could fit in.

.
greatest player today, despite having feet like these
.
http://cdn.gossiponthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/lbj-messed-up-feet-2.jpg



.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

mom did not buy him shoes he could fit in.

.
greatest player today, despite having feet like these
.
http://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/lebron-james-introduces-the-claw.png?w=640
Is that common for pro players?

[RoundMoundOfReb]

http://www.inflexwetrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IFWT_Kobe-toe-curls-3.png

kobe's feet sort of like that although not nearly as bad.

[NLZ]

Stop posting mens feet, please.

[SHABBA]

Messi is not the best player in the world! It is Cristiano Ronaldo easily. He's the most complete, best all around player ever IMO.
For some reason, people just don't want to celebrate him as the best. He kind of plays that villain role in the world of soccer.

Messi has no charisma, true but he is also one of the best players ever. Being an alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo and the only person in the world who can compete with Cristiano makes Messi more popular than he'd be otherwise. He basically plays off of Ronaldo. His only draw marketing wise is that he is not Ronaldo.

When it's all said and done, Ronaldo will be remembered as better! He js better and more dedicated and just greater. Even though FIFA bs awards will always go to Messi.
Are you brain dead?

[CeltsGarlic]

It seems like those pics will derail the thread :lol

like always.. Not like we were having a solid discussion, its ISH.

[SpanishACB]

When you're the arguably best player in the world, you're still young and in your peak and you decide to take an incredible pay cut to have a chance at the ring... no respect.
Specially considering player fans only exist in the USA. Elsewhere they support teams and Lebron hasn't done anything transcendental with his, just the expected.

[SonicJam]

I never understood the love of football/soccer around the world as I do not find it nearly as entertaining as Basketball or American Football.

I then read a very comprehensive article on the popularity of football and it basically boiled down to the following 2 points.

1. Football/soccer does not require the athletic or genetic gifts required to be successful in Basketball or American Football. Basically, anyone who starts young and puts in the work can be successful at soccer. Very few people can be successful at Basketball without height and American Football without size and strength. Basically, the dream of becoming a soccer star is much more realistic for the average person.

2. Football/Soccer is a very cheap sport to participate in compared to Hockey/American Football so it is very attractive to kids in less developed countries that do not have the cash to spend on equipment.

This would explain why football/soccer stars are much well known world wide then top Basketball stars.

If you removed 3rd world countries then I think Lebron James would be just as popular world wide as any of those football/soccer players mentioned.

[SpanishACB]

I would think that a....

.....~6'9-270 guy flying allover the place who essentially has the ability to play even Point-Guard better than anybody thanks to his ballcontrol, vision, passing ability (which is GOAT level aesthetic), intangibles/IQ and ON TOP OF THAT be the best scorer in the NBA, from the perimeter, shooting 60-47-80 while averaging 26 ppg thanks to his vast arsenal from the perimeter, post, paint to convert extremly efficiently, whos OUTCOME of what he is doing is greater than anybody....

....would know a thing or two about fundamentals and being pleasing.....


His point is that you put Lebron on Nash body and he is a good starter/6th man at most (decent shooter, not bad passer), you do that the other way around and you have a NBA goat.

Craft is better than power, specially when said power is basically heritage.

[Dragonyeuw]

People like winners that started at the bottom now they are at the top. Some sort of adversity to get them to emotionally root for them.



Yep. Kobe afterall joined a team with 24 year old Shaquille O'neal, Eddie Jones, and Nick Van Exel. Some serious hardship right there....

[Brokenbeat]

people love stories, rightly or wrongly a hometown hero who leaves his first team without fulfulling promises to join with other stars isn't a popular story line.

Also his game is very raw, he doesn't have the moves that make him the obvious best player on the court.

I have wondered about this though, over here when I talk to people who don't follow basketball they all know Kobe and some seem to know rose and howard more than Lebron or Durant (durant's still young though)


I think there's some truth to this.

It's crazy because sometimes he just looks lazy out there, but then you realize that he's just that much better than everybody else (so it doesn't even look like he's trying).

[Rose'sACL]

His point is that you put Lebron on Nash body and he is a good starter/6th man at most (decent shooter, not bad passer), you do that the other way around and you have a NBA goat.

Craft is better than power, specially when said power is basically heritage.
and wade with MJ's body would be better than MJ. may be if lebron was shorter, he would be trying to get more assists instead of being among top scorers in the league.
i can make assumptions too. You are watching the wrong sport going by all your posts here.

[jlip]

It's amazing while being simultaneously sad and amusing that people are still providing reasons for why Lebron is supposedly not as popular worldwide. I see people speaking of reasons from the alleged lack of aesthetics to his game to him supposedly joining another superstars' team.

Why people? The whole premise of this troll thread is basically as false as wrong can get. According to every poll, link, and article I can find Lebron is clearly the world's most popular basketball player as of 2013. There may be a few specific regions where Kobe is more popular, but Lebron according to every source I've come across is again, the most popular basketball player in the world.

[Rose'sACL]

It's amazing while being simultaneously sad and amusing that people are still providing reasons for why Lebron is supposedly not as popular worldwide. I see people speaking of reasons from the alleged lack of aesthetics to his game to him supposedly joining another superstars' team.

Why people? The whole premise of this troll thread is basically as false as wrong can get. According to every poll, link, and article I can find Lebron is clearly the world's most popular basketball player as of 2013. There may be a few specific regions where Kobe is more popular, but Lebron according to every source I've come across is again, the most popular basketball player in the world.
funny thing is that his shoes sales are second only to jordans even though the people who hate him will not buy his shoes even if they are good.
OP actually doesn't provide any good links to prove his point and is a known troll on this forum.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

It's amazing while being simultaneously sad and amusing that people are still providing reasons for why Lebron is supposedly not as popular worldwide. I see people speaking of reasons from the alleged lack of aesthetics to his game to him supposedly joining another superstars' team.

Why people? The whole premise of this troll thread is basically as false as wrong can get. According to every poll, link, and article I can find Lebron is clearly the world's most popular basketball player as of 2013. There may be a few specific regions where Kobe is more popular, but Lebron according to every source I've come across is again, the most popular basketball player in the world.

Are you seriously crying over LeBron's popularity?

[jlip]

Are you seriously crying over LeBron's popularity?

More like laughing at this thread.

[Frozen1]

I never understood the love of football/soccer around the world as I do not find it nearly as entertaining as Basketball or American Football.

I then read a very comprehensive article on the popularity of football and it basically boiled down to the following 2 points.

1. Football/soccer does not require the athletic or genetic gifts required to be successful in Basketball or American Football. Basically, anyone who starts young and puts in the work can be successful at soccer. Very few people can be successful at Basketball without height and American Football without size and strength. Basically, the dream of becoming a soccer star is much more realistic for the average person.

2. Football/Soccer is a very cheap sport to participate in compared to Hockey/American Football so it is very attractive to kids in less developed countries that do not have the cash to spend on equipment.

This would explain why football/soccer stars are much well known world wide then top Basketball stars.

If you removed 3rd world countries then I think Lebron James would be just as popular world wide as any of those football/soccer players mentioned.

LOL, so Europe is consisted most of third world countries, and only third world countries play soccer.

The truth is nobody cares about basketball outside of the US. People will know players and teams if the games are being broadcasted in the national television.

Guess what, the 7:30 PM, 8 PM, 10:30 PM games in the nba are too late in the rest of the world for a high audience national television buy the rights and be worth in terms of audience. Who the hell is watching a game that will start at 11 PM, 1 AM, 2 AM in their countries? The casual guy? No, only the hardcore fan.

Kobe and Jordan are exceptions because they went beyond the sport, but lebron is not in their level yet.

[Rose'sACL]

LOL, so Europe is consisted most of third world countries, and only third world countries play soccer.

The truth is nobody cares about basketball outside of the US. People will know players and teams if the games are being broadcasted in the national television.

Guess what, the 7:30 PM, 8 PM, 10:30 PM games in the nba are too late in the rest of the world for a high audience national television buy the rights and be worth in terms of audience. Who the hell is watching a game that will start at 11 PM, 1 AM, 2 AM in their countries? The casual guy? No, only the hardcore fan.

Kobe and Jordan are exceptions because they went beyond the sport, but lebron is not in their level yet.
what are you talking about? i have been to India, Malaysia, Philippines and singapore and in all these places everyone who knew about kobe also knew about lebron and would show me videos of lebron dunking.
there are way more casual fans in those places and all know about lebron they don't care that he is a good passer.

[SpanishACB]

If you removed 3rd world countries then I think Lebron James would be just as popular world wide as any of those football/soccer players mentioned.

I guess you have your own americanized definition of "3rd world", one that doesn't apply in any sense to reality.

Considering Europe, Asia and South America (we remove Africa, for your sake) there's no way in hell your statement is even close to being inside the realm of possibility.

[Shade8780]

Yeah he is. Over here, everyone who doesn't watch basketball or don't know anything about it, they still know LeBron.

[The Iron Fist]

Kobe started at the bottom:facepalm He had shaq Early in his career:oldlol:
The Lakers were champs in 97,98 &99?

[arifgokcen]

I have visited a lof of places and i am from Turkey and i can assure you i knew from my close relatives even my grandfather who is 88 years old knows Lebron and he doesnt know federer or kobe or messi(i was very surprised too.

You really underestimate Lebron's popularity around Europe and Asia.

I can safely say Lebron is more pupular than those athletes.

[KevinNYC]

and mom did not buy him shoes he could fit in.

.
greatest player today, despite having feet like these
.
http://cdn.gossiponthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/lbj-messed-up-feet-2.jpg



.
This is because Nike makes shitty shoes.

[Hoopz2332]

Nonsense thread. lebron is easily the most poplar bball player in the USA and in the World...yes, he's bigger than Kobe globally. He's also one of top athletes known around the globe and transcends the sport of baskteball. There are tons of links to back it up

LeBron James is the Most Popular Western Celebrity on Chinese Social Media


nfographic: LeBron James is the Most Popular Western Celebrity on Chinese Social Media

Synthesio, a global social-media monitoring company, has created an infographic to tell us who are the top 25 most popular western celebrities on Chinese social media. It listened to the top 50 celebrities from Forbes’ “The World’s Most Powerful Celebrities” list, and monitored China’s top social-media sites, including Sina Weibo (China’s Twitter), Renren (China’s Facebook) and Tencent Weibo. As the infographic reveals, Chinese social-media users love NBA, basketball player LeBron James takes the top spot, followed by Rihanna and Justin Bieber, respectively. Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift round out the top five.

http://micgadget.com/34233/infographic-lebron-james-is-the-most-popular-western-celebrity-on-chinese-social-media/




LeBron James Is The NBA's Leading Shoe Salesman


LeBron James is in the hunt for a second straight NBA championship after leading the Miami Heat to an NBA-best 66 wins during the regular season. It has been a wildly successful 12-month run for King James, as he established himself as the NBA’s biggest star since Michael Jordan. James led the Heat on a 27-game winning streak. He added another NBA MVP trophy (for a total of four), an Olympic gold medal and his first title over the past year. The game’s most dominant player is also crushing the competition in stores, outselling his nearest rival’s signature sneakers 6-to-1.

Nike generated $300 million in U.S. retail sales in 2012 for James’ signature shoes, according to research firm SportsOneSource. Nike’s haul represents a 50% increase from sales of James’ kicks in 2011. “The first thing is the aesthetics. The shoes look great and his star stature continues to rise,” says SportsOneSource analyst Matt Powell. “The media attention on him helps him sell more footwear.”

The second best-selling active NBA pitchman is Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. His Kobe 8 signature shoes sold $50 million at U.S. stores last year. Bryant has been part of the Nike family since 2003. The 15-time All-Star was an Adidas athlete for the first six years of his career. Bryant’s shoe sales in the U.S. were down in 2012, but he is the NBA’s biggest star in China and his Nike sneakers sell briskly in Asia.

U.S. Retail Basketball Shoe Sales

LeBron James (Nike): $300 million

Kobe Bryant (Nike): $50 million

Carmelo Anthony (Jordan): $40 million

Kevin Durant (Nike): $35 million

Derrick Rose (Adidas): $25 million

John Wall (Reebok): $5 million

Dwight Howard (Adidas): $5 million


LeBron James' market share


Even before this second NBA championship, LeBron's marketing strategists had completely redefined the dynamic between a sponsor and celebrity endorser, at least in the realm of the iconic athlete. The topic comes up not only because LeBron's second title leads us to look at his immediate future, on and off the court, but also because the perception in some quarters is that he had a relatively low commercial profile on television during the playoffs.

In this day and age, the bottom line means strengthening the brand, which may trump any other measurement in popular culture. And not many brands are as high profile as LeBron's these days, even though he still has his critics. With Forbes reporting LeBron's endorsement income at $42 million last year, he trails only Tiger Woods, Roger Federer ($65 million each) and Phil Mickelson ($44 million) in that category. But Forbes also reports that his second NBA title will probably mean a $5 million to $7 million increase in endorsement income in 2013 (and that estimate could be conservative given that NBA 2K14 is going to be LeBron's first video game cover). You wonder how much Peyton Manning's endorsement portfolio is worth? It was estimated by Forbes to be $12 million last year. Drew Brees: $11 million. Aaron Rodgers: $6 million. Usain Bolt: $24 million.

Yet, there's no risk in terms of the strategy. Forbes reports that LeBron is the highest-ranked athlete in the world and 23rd overall in terms of his "web rank," meaning he's ahead of Tiger, David Beckham, Kobe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and, for that matter, Tom Cruise and Reese Witherspoon. Forbes ranks LeBron 15th in celebrity power, behind people like Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey and Justin Bieber, but ahead of every athlete except Tiger.


http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9420455/lebron-james-market-share




LeBron Taking Sports Marketing To Another Level


“Sports Illustrated just ranked him the world's most influential active athlete. And he's not just a pitchman, he's a businessman --with ownership stakes in the Liverpool soccer club, PureBrands, Cannondale bikes, and more. After last summer's Olympic Gold in London, James has been busy building his global brand, especially in the booming Asian market, signing deals to pitch Dunkin' Donuts and the NBA2K14 video game in China.”

And he’s only 28. “The LeBron brand is global, his celebrity transcends his sport, and his appeal crosses all demographics,” Dorfman concludes -- except perhaps Cleveland, to which he bid an overwrought farewell a couple of years ago.


http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/203438/lebron-taking-sports-marketing-to-another-level.html


2012-2013 Most popular jersey globally

http://i.imgur.com/GDDSqM0.png


LeBron rules NBA in endorsements too



James may gain additional $5 million to $7 million to the $42 million he already earns from sponsorships; Heat star gradually regaining favor with sports fans while endorsements soar to No. 4 among all athletes


A second consecutive NBA championship and Finals MVP should bring a tangible payoff to LeBron James.

A prominent sports marketing expert expects the Heat star to cash in an additional $5 million to $7 million in annual commercial endorsements.

Considering James already leads all NBA players with $42 million a year in off-court earnings, such an increase doesn't carry the life-altering impact that it would for an up-and-coming player.

While forecasting new endorsement opportunities for James, Bob Dorfman, author of "The Sports Marketers' Scouting Report," suggested the benefits of the second title may be more intangible as America gradually warms to him.

"I think this one helped a lot. The first one, maybe people thought it was a bit of a fluke. This one maybe legitimizes him a little more, certainly builds his legacy," Dorfman said. "You can't deny he's the greatest player in the game right now."

Despite nationwide animosity directed at James following his awkward exit from Cleveland and the criticism of his play in losing the 2011 Finals to Dallas, he has remained a powerful commercial presence.

The subsequent back-to-back championships, regular-season and Finals MVP trophies and 2012 Olympic gold medal did much to ensure that.

James was recently ranked No. 4 in endorsements among all athletes by Forbes Magazine, tied with universally admired David Beckham. They trail Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, each with $65 million a year in endorsements, and Phil Mickelson with $44 million.

Kobe Bryant ranks second in endorsements among NBA players with $34 million. The Heat's Dwyane Wade is fifth at $11.5 million a year.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-06-29/sports/fl-lebron-spoils-0630-20130629_1_lebron-james-endorsements-q-scores-company



LeBron James ranked as most powerful U.S. pro athlete




The most powerful athlete in U.S. professional sports? The would be LeBron James, and for more than his powerful build.

The 2013 Bloomberg "Sportfolio" Power 100 has the Heat forward at the top of the class, after being ranked fourth in the previous ratings.

According to the Bloomberg Sports website, the rankings were compiled with 50 percent of the ranking based on "on-field attributes" and 50 percent on "off-field attributes."

The list was limited to "professional athletes playing in the United States," with coaches, executives, owners, agents, and retired athletes not considered.

The Top 10:

LeBron James
Tiger Woods
Peyton Manning
Drew Brees
Roger Federer
Novak Djokovic
Kobe Bryant
Michael Phelps
Tom Brady
Aaron Rodgers

Beyond James and Bryant, the next highest-ranking NBA players on the list were Kevin Durant (11th) and Heat guard Dwyane Wade (25th).

Heat center Chris Bosh, the third member of the team's Big Three, was not on the list, nor were any members of the Miami Dolphins, Miami Marlins or Florida Panthers.

From the story on the list:

"With a first NBA title under his belt and in the hunt for a second, the sky is the limit for James. He's in the midst of arguably the best season of his basketball career, and is backed by a blue-chip endorsement portfolio that includes Nike, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Samsung, and State Farm. All this basketball and business bounty came after James' Nielsen/E-Poll N-Score, a measure of marketability used for this study, reached the lowest point in his career following the Heat's loss to the Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals.
"James can also claim another distinction from his Top Five Power 100 peers: he's the only one in that grouping who’s younger than 30."

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-03-15/sports/sfl-miami-heat-lebron-james-s031513_1_lebron-james-athlete-heat-guard-dwyane-wade

[Hoopz2332]

The final ether for you Kobe stans

let's not forget that as much as we think lebron is hated after that "Decision" fiasco, he's not as hated by people as Kobe is which is why Kobe was on the recent "The 10 Most Disliked Athletes In America" and Lebron wasn't


The 10 Most Disliked Athletes In America




Kobe Bryant

Guard, Los Angeles Lakers
Appeal: 27%
Always polarizing, and still feeling residual heat from a 10-year-old rape allegation that was never prosecuted.

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eddf45jmfd/kobe-bryant-4/



http://weknowgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/shaq-laughing-gif.gif

[Hoopz2332]

First off LeBron isn't even more popular than Kobe in America




he is and it's not up for debate

[scotty00007]

I don't usually post on here, but when I do, it's to tell someone or some stans they got ethered.

And you good sir, hoopz, just ethered the pants off every lebron hater in this thread.....

[Hoopz2332]

I don't usually post on here, but when I do, it's to tell someone or some stans they got ethered.

And you good sir, hoopz, just ethered the pants off every lebron hater in this thread.....


Kobe stans/Lebron hatres will avoid those links/info like the plague:oldlol:

[kamil]

he is and it's not up for debate

I think LeBrons* popularity is based on more hate than praise. I've never seen an athlete more hated than him.

[Hoopz2332]

I think LeBrons* popularity is based on more hate than praise. I've never seen an athlete more hated than him.


Kobe is more hated than lebron. Did you not see the link I posted above?

The 10 Most Disliked Athletes In America


Kobe Bryant

Guard, Los Angeles Lakers
Appeal: 27%
Always polarizing, and still feeling residual heat from a 10-year-old rape allegation that was never prosecuted.

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eddf45jmfd/kobe-bryant-4/


Lebron didn't make this list.

[Hoopz2332]

[b]The Top 10 Most Hated Athletes in American Sports

[scotty00007]

I think LeBrons* popularity is based on more hate than praise. I've never seen an athlete more hated than him.

Stop living in the world of ISH . So many posters in here live in their own online bubble, where ISH is the real world and represents the rest of the population.

[HoopsFanNumero1]

I think LeBrons* popularity is based on more hate than praise. I've never seen an athlete more hated than him.

Well that settles it. Kamil* thinks it so it must be true.

[NumberSix]

As usual, LeBron haters claim he falls short in some fashion, and not only is it the opposite, he's #1.

[Big Cheese]

I dont usually post in these kobe vs lebron threads but wow hoopz just ethered OP. Dude posted a damn research paper :lol

[Hoopz2332]

Lebron's shoes vs Kobe shoes in generated $$$



LeBron James (Nike): $300 million

Kobe Bryant (Nike): $50 million


:lol

[zoom17]

I dont usually post in these kobe vs lebron threads but wow hoopz just ethered OP. Dude posted a damn research paper :lol

:oldlol:

[jzek]

More ppl know who Messi is than Kobe and LBJ combined because soccer is about 457,657,524 more popular than basketball.

Just look at how many ppl watched the World Cup compared to the NBA Finals. :oldlol:

[Ca$H]

Bryant, Messi, Ronaldo, Federer, Messi, Bolt etc.

People in U.S thinks that LeBum is in the same class as these athletes. (I dont think he is, but thats another story)

He is the most famous athlete in America.

But why isnt he even in the top 10 over most famous athletes in the world, even if he is the "so called best player in the world"?

There is a reason why NIKE didnt have him in their big commercial back in 2010, they had Federer, Bryant, Ronaldo etc.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSggaxXUS8k

Is it because he is ugly?. Lack of charisma?

Everybody knows Jordan and Bryant in England. Other than basketball fans, few have heard about James. The only reason they know him is because of his involvement in Liverpool FC. :lol

Yes. Kobe and Cristiano Ronaldo are elite and handsome.

[Solefade]

damn Hoopz just ethered everyone lols



It definitely feels like there's more Kobe fans than LeBron fans based on social media but I guess not

[Byobob]

God damnnn! What a response.

Don't do 'em like that, Hoopz. :lol :lol

[Solefade]

i love how when people get ethered on ISH, no one owns up to it. They just stop responding lol

[RoundMoundOfReb]

LOL hoopz ethers OP.

[fandarko]

From my travels around the world I'd say everyone knows Lebron.


First hand, in Europe, Kobe is more popular.

The reasons?

He plays for the Lakers.

He's a MJ clone. He's a shooting guard.

In his prime he was the best attacker in the world.

He became popular before Lebron came to the league.

Isn't overly charismatic, but still is a tad more charismatic than Lebron.

These are all factors that are relevant to the average person who has heard about the NBA.

Lebron played for the Cavs. He's a 6-8 freak of nature, whose style of play is difficult to identify with or to be desired (if you are a kid playing basketball, you want to be Kobe, not Lebron). A big part of his game is defense, powerful drives, and physical intensity. He is nowhere near Kobe in terms of finesse.

He came to the league when Kobe was still in his prime and his popularity overlapped with Kobe's, a tough matchup.

That said, Lebron is still incredibly popular, but he is definitively less likeable than Kobe for the above reasons and probably many others.

[Ronaldinho]

I would think that a....

.....~6'9-270 guy flying allover the place who essentially has the ability to play even Point-Guard better than anybody thanks to his ballcontrol, vision, passing ability (which is GOAT level aesthetic), intangibles/IQ and ON TOP OF THAT be the best scorer in the NBA, from the perimeter, shooting 60-47-80 while averaging 26 ppg thanks to his vast arsenal from the perimeter, post, paint to convert extremly efficiently, whos OUTCOME of what he is doing is greater than anybody....

....would know a thing or two about fundamentals and being pleasing.....
Lebron is a stat machine, no doubt. But he isnt the most pleasing player to watch. Most ppl dont watch looking the boxscore.

Iverson, Kobe Bryant, T Mac, Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris paul and even Shaq (For the brute force) are more pleasing to watch.

[Jlamb47]

Lebron James is very well known world wide. Not like Kobe but he is well known

[r15mohd]

First hand, in Europe, Kobe is more popular.

The reasons?

He plays for the Lakers.

He's a MJ clone. He's a shooting guard.

In his prime he was the best attacker in the world.

He became popular before Lebron came to the league.

Isn't overly charismatic, but still is a tad more charismatic than Lebron.

These are all factors that are relevant to the average person who has heard about the NBA.

Lebron played for the Cavs. He's a 6-8 freak of nature, whose style of play is difficult to identify with or to be desired (if you are a kid playing basketball, you want to be Kobe, not Lebron). A big part of his game is defense, powerful drives, and physical intensity. He is nowhere near Kobe in terms of finesse.

He came to the league when Kobe was still in his prime and his popularity overlapped with Kobe's, a tough matchup.

That said, Lebron is still incredibly popular, but he is definitively less likeable than Kobe for the above reasons and probably many others.

did you care to look at any of the above references...one, at least one, maybe...please, it's for your own good :lol

facts will always be greater than opinion...as opinion is emotion based after all

[fandarko]

did you care to look at any of the above references...one, at least one, maybe...please, it's for your own good :lol

facts will always be greater than opinion...as opinion is emotion based after all

"Popular" is subjective. I know A LOT of people related somehow to basketball. I know a lot of kids into basketball. Believe me, they prefer Kobe to Lebron.

Hell, they prefered Rose to Lebron.

It's not a big margin, but it's a fact.

They like Lebron, don't get me wrong, but less than Kobe...

"Likeable" is based on emotion, not facts.

[r15mohd]

"Popular" is subjective. I know A LOT of people related somehow to basketball. I know a lot of kids into basketball. Believe me, they prefer Kobe to Lebron.

Hell, they prefered Rose to Lebron.

It's not a big margin, but it's a fact.

They like Lebron, don't get me wrong, but less than Kobe...

"Likeable" is based on emotion, not facts.


the source below indicates that in China alone...you know, the country that houses about 20% of the world's population...Lebron is noted to be the most popular figure trending their social media

[QUOTE]It listened to the top 50 celebrities from Forbes

[fandarko]

the source below indicates that in China alone...you know, the country that houses about 20% of the world's population...Lebron is noted to be the most popular figure trending their social media



when your "I know of a LOT of people related somehow to basketball" can out-number this sample size, we will then revisit your response and maybe indicate it as being some worth :no: until then, we'll continue to highlight the sourced facts over your group of friends who admire Kobe over Lebron :rolleyes:

I live in an European basketball powerhouse country.

I used to be a TV reporter and a basketball writer.

I know and hang out with the major basketball writers and reporters in the country.

I know dozens of coaches, from U10 to senior coaches.

I simply know what people in my country think about the NBA, who they like, who they don't like.

I have two kids that have been playing basketball in the last 10 years. I know who they like, who their friends admire, ages 10 to 18.

I'd say that's a pretty good sample.

That's one country, granted, but it's still legit.

[Hoopz2332]

i love how when people get ethered on ISH, no one owns up to it. They just stop responding lol


This post is so true lol. Look at how quite this thread got on the side of lebon haters/Kobe stans.:oldlol:

[TheMarkMadsen]

The Lakers were champs in 97,98 &99?


just ask him what the difference between 99 & 2000 was

[Soundwave]

His game isn't quite as marketable as other players for one. Yes he can dunk ... but he basically does the same dunk over and over again. His game is more power than grace. He doesn't have as many "dramatic" moments in his career either, not as many game winners or "flu game" like stuff.

That impacts marketing appeal to non-fans/fringe fans because if you're trying to wow them on a sports personality there needs to be something about that that's amazing, not just "they fill a stat sheet".

Also because of the fall out of "The Decision", it badly damaged his brand for about 2-3 years of the prime of his career.

He's still the butt end of jokes in a negative way in mainstream media from time to time (see: that Meet The Millers movie).

Soccer it the most popular sport in the world so everyone understands that. With regards to Usain Bolt, it's very easy for anyone to understand the idea of the "fastest man in the world". "Best basketball player in the world" is more specialized concept.

[zoom17]

His game isn't quite as marketable as other players for one. Yes he can dunk ... but he basically does the same dunk over and over again. His game is more power than grace. He doesn't have as many "dramatic" moments in his career either, not as many game winners or "flu game" like stuff.

That impacts marketing appeal to non-fans/fringe fans because if you're trying to wow them on a sports personality there needs to be something about that that's amazing, not just "they fill a stat sheet".

Also because of the fall out of "The Decision", it badly damaged his brand for about 2-3 years of the prime of his career.

He's still the butt end of jokes in a negative way in mainstream media from time to time (see: that Meet The Millers movie).

Soccer it the most popular sport in the world so everyone understands that. With regards to Usain Bolt, it's very easy for anyone to understand the idea of the "fastest man in the world". "Best basketball player in the world" is more specialized concept.

Hoopz won this thread no point in continuing to argue:oldlol:

[greymatter]

First off LeBron isn't even more popular than Kobe in America

second, Kobe didn't start "from the bottom". Playing with Shaq on the Lakers isn't exactly humble beginnings.

It's clear you don't get around much. I've been to every NBA city except for Memphis and will tell you that outside of CA, it's no contest which team drives more interest between Kobe/Lakers vs Lebron/Heat. This isn't 3+ years ago when the Lakers were still relevant. Absolutely no one I know in the non-CA places I've been to would choose to watch the Lakers over the Heat should either one of them be rolling into town to play their home team.

Lebron has long ago been better than Kobe at selling out an opposing team's arena and helping scalpers earn a better living.

[KungFuJoe]

Lebron is the most disrespected superstar in the game.

The Decision
The flopping
Getting swept by the Spurs and then losing to the Mavs where he disappeared in 4th quarters
Having to team up with other superstars to win a ring.
His passive aggressive attitude...such as when he threatened to stop dunking in pregame because people were ridiculing him for not joining the dunk contest.

The list goes on and on...

Yeah, he's a great talent and he finally got his rings...but he'll never be seen in the same light as guys like Jordan, Bird, Magic, Kobe, Duncan.

Never.

[jlip]

Lebron is the most disrespected superstar in the game.

The Decision
The flopping
Getting swept by the Spurs and then losing to the Mavs where he disappeared in 4th quarters
Having to team up with other superstars to win a ring.
His passive aggressive attitude...such as when he threatened to stop dunking in pregame because people were ridiculing him for not joining the dunk contest.

The list goes on and on...

Yeah, he's a great talent and he finally got his rings...but he'll never be seen in the same light as guys like Jordan, Bird, Magic, Kobe, Duncan.

Never.

You vs this (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9207933&postcount=108)

[Hoopz2332]

Hoopz won this thread no point in continuing to argue:oldlol:


:oldlol: I swear, you can't argue with these people. I put the info and link right infront of them and they still try to argue against cold hard facts and reality.

[Hoopz2332]

Lebron is the most disrespected superstar in the game.

The Decision
The flopping
Getting swept by the Spurs and then losing to the Mavs where he disappeared in 4th quarters
Having to team up with other superstars to win a ring.
His passive aggressive attitude...such as when he threatened to stop dunking in pregame because people were ridiculing him for not joining the dunk contest.

The list goes on and on...

Yeah, he's a great talent and he finally got his rings...but he'll never be seen in the same light as guys like Jordan, Bird, Magic, Kobe, Duncan.

Never.

Duncan and popilarity don't belong in the same sentence:coleman:

[Hoopz2332]

His game isn't quite as marketable as other players for one. Yes he can dunk ... but he basically does the same dunk over and over again. His game is more power than grace. He doesn't have as many "dramatic" moments in his career either, not as many game winners or "flu game" like stuff.

That impacts marketing appeal to non-fans/fringe fans because if you're trying to wow them on a sports personality there needs to be something about that that's amazing, not just "they fill a stat sheet".

Also because of the fall out of "The Decision", it badly damaged his brand for about 2-3 years of the prime of his career.

He's still the butt end of jokes in a negative way in mainstream media from time to time (see: that Meet The Millers movie).

Soccer it the most popular sport in the world so everyone understands that. With regards to Usain Bolt, it's very easy for anyone to understand the idea of the "fastest man in the world". "Best basketball player in the world" is more specialized concept.


..read


LeBron James' market share


Even before this second NBA championship, LeBron's marketing strategists had completely redefined the dynamic between a sponsor and celebrity endorser, at least in the realm of the iconic athlete. The topic comes up not only because LeBron's second title leads us to look at his immediate future, on and off the court, but also because the perception in some quarters is that he had a relatively low commercial profile on television during the playoffs.

In this day and age, the bottom line means strengthening the brand, which may trump any other measurement in popular culture. And not many brands are as high profile as LeBron's these days, even though he still has his critics. With Forbes reporting LeBron's endorsement income at $42 million last year, he trails only Tiger Woods, Roger Federer ($65 million each) and Phil Mickelson ($44 million) in that category. But Forbes also reports that his second NBA title will probably mean a $5 million to $7 million increase in endorsement income in 2013 (and that estimate could be conservative given that NBA 2K14 is going to be LeBron's first video game cover). You wonder how much Peyton Manning's endorsement portfolio is worth? It was estimated by Forbes to be $12 million last year. Drew Brees: $11 million. Aaron Rodgers: $6 million. Usain Bolt: $24 million.

Yet, there's no risk in terms of the strategy. Forbes reports that LeBron is the highest-ranked athlete in the world and 23rd overall in terms of his "web rank," meaning he's ahead of Tiger, David Beckham, Kobe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and, for that matter, Tom Cruise and Reese Witherspoon. Forbes ranks LeBron 15th in celebrity power, behind people like Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey and Justin Bieber, but ahead of every athlete except Tiger.


http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9420455/lebron-james-market-share

Usain Bolt isn't in lebron's league

[Hoopz2332]

damn Hoopz just ethered everyone lols



It definitely feels like there's more Kobe fans than LeBron fans based on social media but I guess not


Kobe stans are very loud that's why. His fans more than anyone elses are the types that show up at laker road games and chant MVP real loud for Kobe for simple fadeaway shots,:coleman:

[HoopsFanNumero1]

I don't get these people. Instead of looking at the reputable sources posted above, they keep citing their own worthless opinions as if they're supposed to mean something :oldlol:

[Knoe Itawl]

I don't get these people. Instead of looking at the reputable sources posted above, they keep citing their own worthless opinions as if they're supposed to mean something :oldlol:

It's because they can't accept that what they WANT to be true isn't what IS true.

Hoopz shut it all down. Anyone arguing against him now just looks foolish.

[Hoopz2332]

I don't get these people. Instead of looking at the reputable sources posted above, they keep citing their own worthless opinions as if they're supposed to mean something :oldlol:

They have been ethered so that's all they are left to do:oldlol: You can't argue with haters.:facepalm

[Dresta]

I live in an European basketball powerhouse country.

I used to be a TV reporter and a basketball writer.

I know and hang out with the major basketball writers and reporters in the country.

I know dozens of coaches, from U10 to senior coaches.

I simply know what people in my country think about the NBA, who they like, who they don't like.

I have two kids that have been playing basketball in the last 10 years. I know who they like, who their friends admire, ages 10 to 18.

I'd say that's a pretty good sample.

That's one country, granted, but it's still legit.

:yaohappy:

[Hoopz2332]

haters/kobe stans are avoiding this thread like a mofo since I destroyed them:oldlol:



i love how when people get ethered on ISH, no one owns up to it. They just stop responding lol


:applause:

[tobethdope]

I don't get these people. Instead of looking at the reputable sources posted above, they keep citing their own worthless opinions as if they're supposed to mean something :oldlol:

endorsement deals mean shit; besides, popular is not the same as famous, he is pretty famous, but not on a kobe-bryant level yet (worldwide)(kobe obviously has the edge timewise here), but he is at the moment probably only 2nd to woods in that category...popularity wise its another deal, he might be the player with the most (player-) fans, but he is generally disliked just like in the US; especially when it comes to fans that follow the leauge

i think americans overestimate how popular their sport-stars are; for example NOBODY but nfl-fans know manning, lebron is way better known, but, speaking for europe, he is not well known, id guess 5-10%, maybe to 15% know him

to emphasize that, he is not even remotely close to the fame of mj, if jordans fame was a pc-game with 100 levels lebron wud barely scratch level 10 by now (obviously time is a factor here), he CUD still reach level 100, but he wont....

[Hoopz2332]

endorsement deals mean shit; besides, popular is not the same as famous, he is pretty famous, but not on a kobe-bryant level yet (worldwide)(kobe obviously has the edge timewise here), but he is at the moment probably only 2nd to woods in that category...popularity wise its another deal, he might be the player with the most (player-) fans, but he is generally disliked just like in the US; especially when it comes to fans that follow the leauge

Another guy ignoring the links I posted. In America, Lebron has haters, post-descision but he's generally not hated like Kobe or the likes of Arod or even Tiger since the scandal.


[b]The Top 10 Most Hated Athletes in American Sports

[moaz]

From someone who lived in 7 countries in 4 continents in the last 22 years:

Everyone and I mean everyone who plays basketball or follows the NBA knows who MJ, LJ and KB are.

For the remaining 98% of the population MJ is known to some of the sports interested 30-50 years old men (back in the 80s- mid 90s you could watch NBA games in free TV, thus many actually watched some games, especially finals).
Kobe is less known thanMJ, but since he has been doing these Turkish Airline commercials with Messi, many actually recognize who he is.

Lebron and the rest of the NBA players are practically non existent for the common man.

Exemption: some of the Facebook generation know who (and what) is Kris Humphries (formerly called kardashian).

[tobethdope]

[QUOTE=Hoopz2332]Another guy ignoring the links I posted. In America, Lebron has haters, post-descision but he's generally not hated like Kobe or the likes of Arod or even Tiger since the scandal.


[b]The Top 10 Most Hated Athletes in American Sports

[ILLsmak]

i love how when people get ethered on ISH, no one owns up to it. They just stop responding lol

shit I ether with every post; no one responds to me.

-Smak

[Soundwave]

From someone who lived in 7 countries in 4 continents in the last 22 years:

Everyone and I mean everyone who plays basketball or follows the NBA knows who MJ, LJ and KB are.

For the remaining 98% of the population MJ is known to some of the sports interested 30-50 years old men (back in the 80s- mid 90s you could watch NBA games in free TV, thus many actually watched some games, especially finals).
Kobe is less known thanMJ, but since he has been doing these Turkish Airline commercials with Messi, many actually recognize who he is.

Lebron and the rest of the NBA players are practically non existent for the common man.

Exemption: some of the Facebook generation know who (and what) is Kris Humphries (formerly called kardashian).

Everyone knew who Michael Jordan was in the 90s, lol. I was just flipping through the channels today and "Home Alone" was on and it was the clip of the kid using a Michael Jordan cut out to simulate people being in his home.

Jordan was everywhere, after Obama and Michael Jackson, he's probably the most famous black American on a global scale (yes I'd put him above Muhammad Ali, television marketing just wasn't the same in his day).

Honestly Shaquille O' Neal when he came into the NBA in 1992/1993 is more popular than probably any basketball player today. You couldn't turn on a TV without seeing a Shaq Pepsi or Reebok ad and "Shaq Attack" this and that.

Ditto for Dennis Rodman too in the 90s, even the most sports allergic white girls in my high school were obsessed with him, lol. Everyone knew the Bulls, that's the biggest difference IMO between the NBA today and in the 90s, the NBA had much more appeal to non-hardcore basketball fans.

[sportjames23]

Everyone knew who Michael Jordan was in the 90s, lol. I was just flipping through the channels today and "Home Alone" was on and it was the clip of the kid using a Michael Jordan cut out to simulate people being in his home.

Jordan was everywhere, after Obama and Michael Jackson, he's probably the most famous black American on a global scale (yes I'd put him above Muhammad Ali, television marketing just wasn't the same in his day).

Honestly Shaquille O' Neal when he came into the NBA in 1992/1993 is more popular than probably any basketball player today. You couldn't turn on a TV without seeing a Shaq Pepsi or Reebok ad and "Shaq Attack" this and that.

Ditto for Dennis Rodman too in the 90s, even the most sports allergic white girls in my high school were obsessed with him, lol. Everyone knew the Bulls, that's the biggest difference IMO between the NBA today and in the 90s, the NBA had much more appeal to non-hardcore basketball fans.


This here.

If ya'll weren't around back then or too young to remember, MJ was fvcking GLOBAL. You can combine the popularity of every NBA star today and they still wouldn't come close to matching MJ's status back then.

Hell, just look at Air Jordans. The man hasn't played in years and his shoes STILL outsell Lebron's and Kobe's combined:

http://theshoegame.com/articles/u-s-sales-lebron-vs-jordan.html

[Lebron23]

Lebron is very popular in the Philippines. He has the highest selling basketball shoes and jerseys in the country. He and Kobe are the 2 most famous basketball players. Kobe first visited the country when he was 19/20 years old in 1998.

[And1AllDay]

My guess is because he still has a highly marketable #2 and #3 behind him, where as most other sports might only have a #1 and that's it. Like for golf, for example, Tiger Woods is the face of golf. But in NBA you have LBJ, Kobe, KD, etc.

[ripthekik]

From someone who lived in 7 countries in 4 continents in the last 22 years:

Everyone and I mean everyone who plays basketball or follows the NBA knows who MJ, LJ and KB are.

For the remaining 98% of the population MJ is known to some of the sports interested 30-50 years old men (back in the 80s- mid 90s you could watch NBA games in free TV, thus many actually watched some games, especially finals).
Kobe is less known thanMJ, but since he has been doing these Turkish Airline commercials with Messi, many actually recognize who he is.

Lebron and the rest of the NBA players are practically non existent for the common man.

Exemption: some of the Facebook generation know who (and what) is Kris Humphries (formerly called kardashian).
This right here. I also travel a lot and can confirm.

Ain't no kid in the playground shouting they wanna be like Lebron (How does that work anyway? when you pass the ball to your teammate for the last shot?) But people wanted to be like Mike, AI, and Kobe.

[coin24]

I think its just in general the NBA isnt as popular advertising wise outside of the US. Obviously heaps of people watch it via league pass/streams, but outside of that its non existent..

For example in Australia in the late 90s you saw plenty of Grant Hill sprite and Fila ads, Jordans ads, Shaq, Barkley etc.. Now you would not see a single one. The majority of people here would be lucky tell you a single current player or who they play for.

Ive visited a lot of other countries and its the same thing, apart from probably the Philipines who are bball crazy:oldlol: They even have an all basketball channel that was showing playoff games from 80s/90s when i was there..

To be honest i couldnt even tell you apart from there shoe deals who any of the players are endorsing anymore, and thats what gets there names out there internationally..

[Nevaeh]

:oldlol: I swear, you can't argue with these people. I put the info and link right infront of them and they still try to argue against cold hard facts and reality.

It's no different than when you see those "stat debate" threads that pop up, showing factually how Lebron is dominant, only to have it dismissed as "well, he's just playing for stats", even while his team is constantly winning. Or how he's not as popular as perceived even on ISH, all the while Heat game threads continue to hit 10,000+ views game after game.

I'm actually convinced that some peeps here are actually traumatized to know how popular Lebron is. The dominant stats and championships are just the icing on the cake, causing some haters to literally seek therapy to cope with it now.

With that, you won this Thread in ways ISH hasn't seen in a minute. http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif

[TMac&Luther]

Bryant, Messi, Ronaldo, Federer, Messi, Bolt etc.

People in U.S thinks that LeBum is in the same class as these athletes. (I dont think he is, but thats another story)

He is the most famous athlete in America.

But why isnt he even in the top 10 over most famous athletes in the world, even if he is the "so called best player in the world"?

There is a reason why NIKE didnt have him in their big commercial back in 2010, they had Federer, Bryant, Ronaldo etc.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSggaxXUS8k

Is it because he is ugly?. Lack of charisma?

Everybody knows Jordan and Bryant in England. Other than basketball fans, few have heard about James. The only reason they know him is because of his involvement in Liverpool FC. :lol

Do you smoke crack? Lebron James is already popular around the world. As far as few people who aren't basketball fans even knowing about James. My damn mom even knows about James and it doesn't have anything to do with Liverpool.