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| Credit: Bittenandbound.com |
"King James" is, perhaps, hated even more today then he was at the beginning of the NBA Finals. He touted himself as the best but played like a mediocre knock off of what he claimed to be.
As an ardent fan of James, I'll be the first to admit that he was off his game during this crucial series. The fourth-quarter-wonder that we are so used to seeing seemed to flounder during the last four out of six games against the Dallas Mavs. And James' excuse of "Sometimes you got it, sometimes you don't" falls short of truly explaining what happened to the 26-year-old phenom out on the court.
In the end, the anti-LeBron fervor is directly attributed to his arrogance as a player. But I challenge you to name one legendary basketball player whose arrogance hasn't come to light.
Michael Jordan, albeit a fantastic player, was one of the most conceited people around during the Chicago Bulls' reign. Magic Johnson's arrogance led him to believe that his sexual philandering would have no ultimate consequences. I believe most people can still remember Kobe's forced attrition after the Lakers' losses this season.
In fact, LBJ's arrogance is probably what helped him get to where he is today - in addition to his talent, of course. And he hasn't even reached the height of his potential.
A friend of mine (hey, James!) said, "Personally, I think he stopped playing hard when things werent going his way and the team wasn't playing on his terms... He doesnt really have the competitive edge that the other greats did."
I have to agree to disagree on that one. Because if LeBron is one of the greatest players of our time, how could he possibly lack a strong competitive edge? Isn't it that same edge that has taken him to the Finals twice in his still young career?
I'd like to especially place on emphasis on the fact that his career is still young. Despite the numerous corporate endorsements and his overexposure as a player, LeBron hasn't been around half as long as the Dirk Nowitski's of the world. And yet, his talent shines through to an extent that we truly haven't seen since the Michael Jordan era.
At the end of the day, LeBron didn't play in the Finals like a champion and, therefore, did not win the championship. But it wasn't his arrogance that tripped him up - it was his lack thereof.
The knowledge that he's great won't keep him from getting inside his own head. When he should have charged the basket, he hesitated. When he should have run the ball, he passed to a lesser player.
LeBron is still figuring himself out like we all are. And I think it's shameful of the media and the NBA's often spiteful fans to try to tear him down when it's the love of the sport that wakes these players up everyday.
LeBron has returned home to think about the mistakes he's made and figure out a game plan for next year. In the meantime, DeShawn Stevenson and his Dirk-loving league of followers need to take a step back and assess their own actions before criticizing one of the greatest players in the NBA.
How does your Dirk taste? Maybe you should go ask your mom.
People don't hate his arrogance. Everyone loves an arrogant basketball playing bastard(MJ, Magic, Bird, Iverson....the list goes on).
ReplyDeletePeople hate his sense of entitlement. He believes he deserves a championship just because he is a great player. He doesn't want to earn it.
Not many people had a problem with Boston signing KG, Pierce, and Allen to the same team. It's Lebron's sense of entitlement which sets every average American off. They're sick of seeing rich people have their own way, playing by their own rules, and not seeing any consequences. Dallas, a team with NO rings, overcame the great Heatles, and proved to the world that teamwork and hard work will beat the bad guys no matter what. This is part of the American psyche and the definitely apparent in sports. By Lebron trying to win an easy championship combined with the manner he portrayed himself in the media; he essentially slapped the game of basketball and the American people in the face.
Lebron can be as arrogant as he damn well pleases. He can refer to himself in the third person and call himself king. Until he learns how to respect the game, no one will respect him.