Disrespectful or no big deal? On Monday, a day before the Bulls and Cavs were going to kick off the NBA season, Nike went to Simeon Academy in Chicago to put on an event for the student athletes and deck them out in Nike and LeBron gear.
Headed in town and had to send a Huge S/O to my young boys and all at Simeon Academy. Chi town finest! Let’s go!#StriveForGreatness
We Squad Up!! Simeon Academy Men’s and Women’s team ready to work and #StriveForGreatness #TeamLeBron Welcome to the movement. #ChiTownFinest
So what’s the issue? It’s not the Nike gear because Nike has been sponsoring the school for 20 years. It’s the timing that’s a little debatable and arguably disrespectful to Chicago legend Derrick Rose who went to that school. The school where his jersey number (#25) is retired along with the late Ben Wilson. The school where he played when he became Illinois Mr Basketball and was named to every All-American team around. The school where he played when he was named the 3rd greatest high school point guard ever by ESPN Rise magazine. The school that had a 120-12 record and back-to-back state titles because of him and now a giant LeBron Nike logo because of LeBron.
UPDATE: The LeBron logo has been taken down and was only put up for the event – just long enough to send a shot.