Stephon Marbury v Lebron

[phinphan896]

This is another reason why Stephon Marbury is my favorite player:

"

"LeBron James vs. Stephon Marbury: The $150 Shoe vs. the $15 Shoe

Posted Mar 29th 2007 2:32PM by Nate Jones
Filed under: Knicks, Cavaliers, Eastern, NBA Gossip, NBA Last Night, Cleveland, New York


During last nights Knicks and Cavs match up, there was another battle going on. As well documented around the net, Stephon Marbury is endorsing a line of $15 Steve and Barry's kicks called Starburys. The premise behind the shoe is to give kids that can't afford outrageously priced shoes a chance to purchase a pair of NBA endorsed kicks that won't break their parent's bank account. So what does LeBron James, endorser of Nike's outrageously priced basketball sneakers, have to say about Marbury's new kicks? Here's what he told Newsday's Ken Berger:

Before the game, James took a little shot at Marbury's $14.98 kicks, saying he couldn't imagine endorsing a sneaker that cheap. "No, I don't think so," James said. "Me being with Nike, we hold our standards high."​

Obviously LeBron James rise to fame and riches has allowed him to forget about where he comes from. Isn't this the same LeBron James that grew up in poverty in Akron, OH? What Marbury is doing is starting a cultural revolution. He's trying to change the game so that kids don't feel left out if they don't have a pair of $150 shoes. If LeBron wanted to be the man to be a real global icon, he would look to be something more than a puppet for Nike and become a leader like Marbury and step out and do something different that would actually aid the people that come from backgrounds similar to his own. As well, there are plenty of people that are making millions of dollars selling cheaper shoes. Shaquille O'neal has been doing it for years, but at more than twice the price ($39.99) of the Starburys. So what's Stephon's response to LeBron's obvious arrogance?

Marbury, who is friendly with James, was lacing up his Starburys before the game when informed of LeBron's comment. He thought about it for a moment and said, "I'd rather own than be owned."​

For those of you that don't know, unlike James, Marbury is actually tied to the equity of his brand. Marbury gets a piece of the profits from every Starbury shoe that is sold. So not only does he have a chance to revolutionize the shoe industry in a way that benefits the low income consumer, but he also has a chance to become a big time shoe mogul. Instead of being a lemming, James might want to start taking notes."

 

[Rocky Raccoon]

LeBron's arrogance? Gimme a break. This whole thing is so overblown it shouldn't even be a story. Marbury is doing a great thing and I have all the respect in the world for him. And what James said was tounge-in-cheek to begin with.

 

[Amars]

I think what Marbury doing is great. Im thinking of getting a pair. Lebron comment is part immature and part Nike PR. I bet they have already talked to their athlete about this situation when asked about the price of Nike compared to Starbury.

 

[Alex44]

What Lebron said was compltely stupid and is just one on a list of other things I don't like about him.


Sorry Lebron everyone can't afford $150 shoes. As for quality I hope Lebrons shoes last better than he plays when the pressure is on.

 

[Majpain]

Not everyone can afford a 36,000 square foot mansion either

I'll probaly pick me up a pair of his shoes. I like the timberland looking shoes. Plus the all white is nice too.

 

[King Felix]

marbury choked tonight

 

[Skeet84]

Wow I really can't believe Lebron said that. What Starbury is doing is great and I like the idea behind it.