AKRON, Ohio -- 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 to stop. Nobody ever said there was a problem ... until after Crawford dunked on James.
"LeBron called Lynn over and told him something," Miller said. "That's how I knew his name was Lynn. LeBron said, 'Hey, Lynn. Come here.'"
Minutes later, Miller said Merritt demanded his tape.
"There's nothing I can think of besides LeBron just not wanting it online," Miller said. "It's a good story to tell people, I guess. But then again, I'm kind of pissed. I lost my tape."
Courtesy Garry Parrish, CBSsportsline.com
This is so awesome. Well, J. Crawf getting iron on 'Bron is awesome. But, 'Bron not allowing video footage is not awesome. Yo, LeBron, I love you dude but seriously stop being such a bitch. Let the video out man. It's ok. MJ got dunked on. Kobe's been dunked on. Vinsanity...dunked on. Yao Ming, dunked on by....NATE FREAKING ROBINSON. Devin Harris, balled on by a little stiff over in London. Dude for the sake of everyone, let the video out. At least let Xavier get the footage or a pic or something. Imagine that joint on a poster or a recruiting mail out?! Imagine that video to show to recruits or in the starting lineup video. If I were Drew Lavender, I would for sure be hollering at my boy, LeBron James to try and get him to release that joint. I mean come on LeBron. You're the King and we all know it. You're MVP and before long you're going to get a title (hopefully in Cleveland). Like the rapper's say stop snitching....stop bitching LeBron. Man up.
This is so awesome. Well, J. Crawf getting iron on 'Bron is awesome. But, 'Bron not allowing video footage is not awesome. Yo, LeBron, I love you dude but seriously stop being such a bitch. Let the video out man. It's ok. MJ got dunked on. Kobe's been dunked on. Vinsanity...dunked on. Yao Ming, dunked on by....NATE FREAKING ROBINSON. Devin Harris, balled on by a little stiff over in London. Dude for the sake of everyone, let the video out. At least let Xavier get the footage or a pic or something. Imagine that joint on a poster or a recruiting mail out?! Imagine that video to show to recruits or in the starting lineup video. If I were Drew Lavender, I would for sure be hollering at my boy, LeBron James to try and get him to release that joint. I mean come on LeBron. You're the King and we all know it. You're MVP and before long you're going to get a title (hopefully in Cleveland). Like the rapper's say stop snitching....stop bitching LeBron. Man up.
-'Killa