‘The Decision’ becomes a punching bag at the ESPY’s
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Boos emanated from the crowd at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live every time the name LeBron James was mentioned during the ESPY awards show on Wednesday night.
On stage, Seth Meyers and his buddies were just as critical, with jokes and skits dedicated to the hour-long ESPN show ’The Decision’ in which James announced that he’d take his talents to Miami to join Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
Comedian Andy Samberg dressed as the German octopus who was correct in all eight of his tries when picking World Cup games, yet he couldn’t predict where James was going. And Steve Carell -- who actually left the TV show “The Office” -- was nixing Chili’s for Outback.
In discussing James’ split with the Cavaliers, Myers comforted the city of Cleveland with this nugget: “Literally every team that has ever won an NBA championship has done it without LeBron James.”
The crowd laughed. Derek Fisher from the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers shook his head.
Most of what Meyers and crew took issue with was the length of the show -- as well as the use of all caps by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert in a letter to Cleveland fans that strongly criticized James and drew a $100,000 fine from the NBA.
There were still 58 minutes remaining in the mock show put on by Carell and Paul Rudd.
Meyers said “Miami” in one minute on stage. Guess it didn’t take an hour after all.
--DeAntae Prince