1. Oh damn. Mildly talented? Please tell me you're talking about his acting, and not his basketball skills.

As far as the ads go, when that sample that's in Summertime starts to play, I get so lost in nostalgia that I can't even get annoyed.

Posted at 5:21PM on Nov 1st 2006 by Martha

2. I'm going to have to question the "mildly talented" jab at LeBron as well. He's not yet 22, and yet he repeatedly performs at a level far beyond his years (and many of his peers). His talent, I'd say, isn't really up to debate. The debate at this point surrouds his ability to actually lead a team in a Jordan-esque manner to post-season success (especially with the Cavs). I don't care if you're not a sports fan, his physical abilities are anything but average.

About the ad, well, I think it works - maybe. They are mildly funny (until you've seen them 10 times in one night) and even entertaining. The character-based idea harkens back to Nike's Li'l Penny ads from the mid '90s. As for the 'stereotypes', I don't quite get what you mean. These are supposed to be the facets of LeBron's psyche (whatever), so you've got the hard-nosed work-ethic old man, the super-vain self centered young man, the immature kid, and the bball-task oriented LeBron we "know". They aren't supposed to be commentary on culture - they're supposedly what makes LeBron, LeBron. I'm not saying it's deep or meaningful, but perhaps that's why you think it doesn't work. But "mildly talented"? Come on. I suppose you think Michael Vick is "marginally skilled" at running the ball?

Posted at 8:27PM on Nov 1st 2006 by Sarry Banders

3. As someone that knows how talented Lebron is yadda yadda the commercials still suck. They sucked last year. They were never setup initially, never explained who all the people were etc. so we never understood it. Lets face it, Lebron does not have Michael's personality or winning smile. Dwayne Wade's commercials last year with getting off the floor repeatedly were much stronger, spoke to who he was etc.

Overall the basketball commercials I see are pretty bad. Sports commercials overall are often not funny. Best one is still the Manning going "D-Fence" "will you sign this for my brother."

Posted at 10:09AM on Nov 2nd 2006 by Dave T.

4. First off the second comment is right... Lebron James being what you said it was is ridiculous... Obviously you don't watch basketball... The fastest rising star and was ranked #1 by ESPN in the NBA. And the commercials are funny, have you seen the new converse commercials??? The latest one is Wade pretending to have an interview???!!!??? Like who cares about that, whoooopiiii!!! There actually doing something pretty creative, even if it has done before... I'm sure you really don't know anything about shoes nor basketball, add people...

Posted at 8:08PM on Nov 3rd 2006 by The site don't know shit...

5. I love these commercials. They don't make me bust out laughing however they are entertaining and funny.

Posted at 1:13AM on Nov 4th 2006 by Young Clock

6. I saw this the day after you posted it and two things jumped out at me: your last sentence has a grammatical error [it should read..."just make it too much for me"; why is this country so chock full of illiterates?] and you obviously watch more Food Network than NBA basketball. LeBron James is, without a doubt, one of the three most talented players in the league. The other two, Kobe and D-Wade, have had the benefit of playing alongside the most dominant big man in recent history [Shaq]; LeBron has had Zydrunas Ilgauskas as his big man...yeah, I figured you've never heard of him. Z is a decent player, but certainly no Shaq. You don't think LeBron has some "pretty boy" in him? He's been given the world since he was 10 years old. The fact that he recognizes that this is part of his psyche speak well of his maturity, I believe. From what I've seen, he seems to have control of his distinct personalities, as well.
So, this series of ads won't redefine commercial development. But, why not just enjoy the humor for what it is and enjoy the upcoming decade and a half of incredible basketball that King James will deliver to us. If the spot makes you smile, isn't that enough?

Posted at 2:50PM on Nov 11th 2006 by MisterTony

7. Man, just the fact that LeBron is interested in making something that isn't about jams and air is refreshing. The fact that the ads pillory Spike Lee AND Michael at the same time is terrif. (And who is that producer-director supposed to be?)

The ads aren't brilliant, they're not making me look a second time or even do more than chuckle out loud. But gimme a break, the kid's a kid, he's taking a risk, the risk is worth it. And the old guy with 23 on his jersey is as profound as anything I'll see from Nike in my lifetime. (How many air-millions has Michael made for them in this millennium?)

(And I'm in complete agreement regarding the first poster's mis-use of the preposition "to" instead of "too." Don't be a lunchbucket, learn something while you have the chance. It's a globalizing economy, don't be crushed.

Posted at 12:40AM on Nov 14th 2006 by eqbal00

8. MisterTony, I agree wholeheartedly with your comment. Except where you accuse our blogger of being "illiterate". Yes, he typed 'to' when he needed 'too'. Such nit-picking through informal publications surely elevates your intelligence - and proves your mastery of the written word. Look, it's not like the post is "chock-full" of typos and misspellings.

You and I agree regarding his view of LeBron and his commercials - but you've gotta cut people some slack now and then. His misuse of 'to' in this case hardly suggests that he cannot read.

But yes, these commercials keep getting better. And now the resultant 'catch phrases' are finding their (crap, I almost typed 'there', could I, a college grad, be illiterate?) way to ESPN, which I find quite funny. Good stuff indeed.

Posted at 11:26AM on Nov 16th 2006 by Sarry Banders