@That-Dude: Shit. I said I was leaving, but your last comment got me thinking, and changed my mind a little.

@That-Dude: Agree 100% about the positive feedback loop.

@Andy Hutchins: I don't want to get into a debate about every individual athlete, but I do believe that Ron Artest is frighteningly real. To what end could he possibly be cultivating an image as an out-of-control, maybe-psychotic, maniac?

@That-Dude: If you know Mars, I'm guessing we're similar ages (I'm 32). But if I remember, MJ was very much the straight man in those ads, no?

@That-Dude: I'm not advocating a lack of introspection. However, I think people who are "real" tend to act spontaneously, and then reflect on their behaviors later. People who are calculating tend to do both simultaneously.

@Andy Hutchins: can anyone project anything other than flat, affectless dignity and expect it to be accepted as the "real" person?

Who would you rather see get raped by a rhinoceros, Paris Hilton or Nancy Grace?

@Andy Hutchins: Sort of.

@Andy Hutchins: I can't speak for StevePerry, but what I find off-putting about LeBron is this: While athletes like Jordan, Tiger and Manning work to project a neutral image, LeBron seems intent on making himself seem lovable and wonderful.

@Andy Hutchins: The guys you just listed are all pretty much the faces of their sports. Because they're not just athletes, they're "brands," I agree they tend to engage in impression management (same with Tiger, or Brady or Crosby etc.)

@Andy Hutchins: I'm not sure I see what you're driving at. Some people are "in their own heads" and can't act without evaluating how their behavior is perceived. For those folks, it's hard to not be "contrived." However, there are plenty of people who simply react without much self-awareness. That's genuine.

@ClintonPortishead: Yup. He's one calculating sumbitch.

@ClintonPortishead: I didn't hear his post-game comments tonight, but I said something to the same effect yesterday after his MVP acceptance speech.

@DM: Booze. I can still smoke weed, right?

@StevePerryPsychOut: I got your back. See above.

@ithacabaron:

@CoolHwhip: I agree. One garment at a time for your lower body is sufficient.

@Weed Against Speed: He's French.

@Athens_Grease: No, but after posing in the mirror, he does attempt to lick himself.

When asked about his MVP award, LeBron gave a self-serving speech about how he doesn't care about individual accolades. Right.