Did Nike confiscate the videos of LeBron James getting dunked on?
Several reports have emerged that Xavier player Jordan Crawford dunked on reigning NBA MVP LeBron James at the LeBron James Skills Academy on Monday night. Why has it not become a YouTube staple yet? Apparently embarrassed by the schooling, James asked Lynn Merritt, senior director of Nike basketball, to confiscate all tapes and proof of the dunk from attending photographers. Reports say there were two photographers present, including freelancer Ryan Miller. Players present at the Academy, which features college level players learning and playing with the NBA phenom, also confirmed the play took place. No word on whether there is any other proof of the game, including any potential cell phone videos or other photos. No one from the LeBron James camp has confirmed or denied the reports. Nike has done the same. Media outlets have posted wanted signs for any coverage from the game. Many columnists have told any present fans or players to e-mail them any proof of the incident. Sources:
You want to see video of Xavier’s Jordan Crawford dunking on LeBron James? If so, too bad. Because you’re not going to see it. Thanks to Nike. Turns out, there were at least two cameras rolling Monday night when Crawford dunked on James during a pick-up game here at the LeBron James Skills Academy. It was a two-handed jam, the kind that would’ve circulated quickly on YouTube. But Nike officials eliminated that possibility shortly after the dunk happened by allegedly confiscating tapes from various cameramen. Freelance photographer Ryan Miller was one of the cameramen shooting the game. He told CBSSports.com that Nike Basketball Senior Director Lynn Merritt took his tape. “He just said, ‘We have to take your tape,'” Miller said. “They took it from other guys, too.” Worth noting is that there is no policy against filming at the LeBron James Skills Academy, and Miller said he had been filming all day without incident. Nobody ever told him
A CBSSports.com article and an article by Chris Chase in rivals.com from Yahoo Sports, claims that LeBron James got dunked on by Xavier University sophomore Jordan Crawford. James, just like many all stars, has been dunked on before. But what generated some pause was that you will never see the dunk on video. In CBSSports.com: Freelance photographer Ryan Miller was one of the cameramen shooting the game. He told CBSSports.com that Nike Basketball Senior Director Lynn Merritt took his tape. “He just said, ‘We have to take your tape,'” Miller said. “They took it from other guys, too.” Joshua Gunter/The Plain DealerLeBron James Worth noting is that there is no policy against filming at the LeBron James Skills Academy, and Miller said he had been filming all day without incident. Nobody ever told
