Xavier's Crawford speaks about dunk on LeBron and Nike can't stop him

July 9, 7:25 AMSports ExaminerPaula Duffy

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LeBron James at media conference. AP/Nati Harnik

Xavier sophomore, Jordan Crawford gave details about his two-handed dunk on LeBron James, to Dan Patrick during Patrick's syndicated radio program.

The audio of the interview can be found here.

After the news swirled around the sports-talk media on Wednesday, that filmed evidence of Crawford's dunk was confiscated by Nike, the media member in question weighed in on the subject.

According to Ryan Miller, no clear explanation was given about why he had to cough up the media to Nike.

The dunk occurred in a pick-up game at the site of the LeBron James Skills Academy. Miller, a photographer and blogger had been shooting for about 20 minutes. Miller exchanged a few words with LeBron and according to his blog post:

"Seconds later, he (LeBron James) walked up to Lynn Merritt (Nike Basketball Senior Director) and spoke with him. Merritt approached me, telling me to take a seat in a chair, said that I wasn't supposed to be filming, and kept repeating to a media relations representative, "Take his tape."

Miller's blog posting also includes a link to the media rules for filming the event. You can find that, here. Darned if I can find anything that would allow Nike to insist it had the right to act in this manner.

Did Nike make a mistake? That's a different question from whether LeBron is made to look less king-like for getting dunked on. Nike's actions lead us to wonder if this was the most spectacular dunk in the history of mankind which is exactly what Nike should be concerned about.

If the video evidence isn't available but the young man who perpetrated the dastardly deed is speaking to media, doesn't the footage of the dunk become more of a legend than it would have? I think so. What about you?

This will all die down in a few days but will rear its ugly head again when the college basketball season begins. Why does it matter so much to either LeBron or his sponsor? Can't wait for the answer to that question.

But considering that today, Mr. James is attending an exclusive gathering of financial heavyweights as well as media titans, he knows that no permanent damage has been done. That's what makes the whole situation ridiculous in the first place.

For more info:  LeBron mingles with billionaires but can't deal with a dunk video

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