The off-season has been an interesting one for the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball star LeBron James. On Monday the NBA star told children gathered at State Farm Insurance's headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois that he would buy them shoes if he made a half-court shot.
James drained the shot, leaving State Farm employees to scramble to get shoe sizes for all of the kids.
That's the good. The not so good includes a dunk, not by LeBron, and a contract extension, not signed by LeBron.
The dunk was a month ago at a summer camp where college players got to play with LeBron and other NBA pros.
During one game Xavier University guard Jordan Crawford dunked over "King James".
A few camera crews picked up the action, but Nike, James's sponsor, confiscated the tapes to protect their meal ticket's image from any threat of being embarrassed.
This did not play well with sports fans. Everyone gets dunked on from time to time.
By grabbing the tapes, Nike made a non-story a story. When the video of the dunk was finally shown on various websites, everyone watched and said "that's what all the fuss was about" and moved on with their lives.
What is more interesting than both of the events above is what LeBron did last Friday regarding whether he would sign a contract extension now with his hometown Cavaliers or wait until his contract expires at the end of the 2009-2010 season.
The NBA's reigning most valuable player said he signed a three-year contract in 2006 to give him more options once it expires.
"I signed a contract in 2006 with an option, and it would make no sense for me to sign that contract if I didn't keep my options open," he said. "I'll let you fill in the blanks."
The Cavaliers offered James a contract extension on July 18, the third anniversary of the signing of his current contract.
The team could offer the extension - at the highest salary allowed - of up to three years. James can sign the extension offer any time before June 30, 2010.
The rumour is that LeBron James is considering leaving Cleveland after the up-coming season to play basketball for either the New York Knicks or the New Jersey Nets. The thinking is that the global icon needs to move his brand to the biggest stage the States have to offer to maximise that brand.
In New York, with either team, LeBron will have quick and easy access to the media, the marketing and the companies that fill his pockets with money and are making him a household name worldwide.
It is hard to argue against that, but I will try.
James has already become a household name. He has already become a marketing giant while in Cleveland. The media come to him. The companies and the dollars have done likewise.
In the 1980s Michael Jordan did not need New York to make himself a worldwide icon and so far, neither has James. So why go now?
Both the Knicks and Nets are average basketball teams at best. If either added LeBron, they would instantly be contenders, but who knows if the situation on the court will be any better than it is now with the Cavaliers. It is a gamble.
At just 24 years of age, LeBron has a long time left in the league, but he is still searching for his first championship.
I would like to see him say no to New York. I, like the fans in Ohio, would like to see him stay and finish what he has started. He is idolised around the country and around the world, but he is beloved by the fans who watched him grow into a star in their state. Be original LeBron. Stay home.
ppabst@thenational.ae
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
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Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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