Now I know the Cavs have been eliminated from the playoffs for weeks now, but every time I turn on ESPN, Lebron James is still in the headlines regarding his pending free agency. I cant even visit any of my favorite sports websites without it being a main story, will he stay or will he go? For me, July 1st can't get here soon enough. It's not so much the constant coverage that bothers me, although I do think its extremely excessive considering the other gold medal winning superstar free agents available in this years class(Wade,Bosh,Johnson,Amare,etc). What really bothers me, what really gets under my skin, is Lebron's nickname. For the past 7 years I have heard Lebron James being called nicknames such as "Bron Bron","the chosen one" and most notably the one that has stuck, "The King" or "King James". "The King", lets think about what that really means? Now to me, when you use the word "King", that refers to someone who is a complete ruler of their kingdom, a master of all his domain so to speak. So that brings up the question, what exactly does Lebron rule? The regular season, dance contests, getting dunked on and trying tirelessly to hide the video from the media? Yes 55 win seasons and two MVP's are nice, but should the most valuable player in the league be dancing around before and during games in such a bush league manor that makes you feel embarrassed for him? You'd have a better chance of Bo schembechler rooting for OSU football in his after life than seeing MJ, Kobe or Bird pull such ridiculous and disrespectful antics. This unjustly appointed king has showed us nothing other than continuous early exits in the playoffs and poor leadership abilities. Yes he made the finals in 2008, but a 4 game sweep hardly even counts as an appearance. To me, Lebron is the king of giving up on his team and if he leaves Cleveland, his hometown. A hometown that has done nothing but stand by him 100% and give him everything has, now it seems he is ready to turn his back on them just like he did his teamates after losing game 5 to the celtics. Don't get me wrong here, Lebron James is definitely the most talented player in the league and the sky is the limit for this guy. He is a freak of nature with all the basketball ability in the world, but what he needs to realize is there is more to the game of basketball than just highlight reel dunks and Nike commercials. You don't win championships on talent alone, just ask guys like Larry Bird or Karl Malone and John Stockton. Top 50 players of all time from both ends of the spectrum of winning it all and coming oh so painfully close time and again. Talent can take you a long way but that road eventually reaches a dead end, as it has year after year for Lebron James the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now they say "we are all witnesses", but all we have witnessed from lebron is a grown man acting selfishly and not take responsibility for his team underachieving. At this point LBJ should feel privilege to be referred to as a prince because he has a long way to go before he can become a King. Am I saying Lebron will never win a championship, no I'm not, but in my opinion he is taking steps backwards, not forwards.
Ok, this is a great post. However, I want to bring up two points here. The first point is that the King James references started during his high school years when he was by far the most dominant high school player and won I believe 2 state titles. Yes I know that was high school, but you can't deny what the kid did there. The second point is that those same "favorite sports websites" that you speak of are actually the biggest issue. It was ESPN the Magazine that put the "chosen one" tag on LBJ and continues to exploit his nickname on commercials etc. Most recently NIKE actually made a very thought provoking add speaking to the pressures of an athlete of James' status.
ReplyDeleteWhile his luck has run out in the play offs the past two seasons, Cleveland's chosen son is doing more for the city then people really know, so in that aspect, you could argue that he's the King of Cleveland, but we'll see where that ends up in July.
Frankly, very well said and you make alot of great points. I do know that the media builds up a ton of hype surrounding LB and there is really nothing Lebron can do to control it. However, he is not acting like a superstar athlete should, especially with a nickname like that. Im not talking about performance (although that obviously plays alot) im talking more about atitude, being humble and leadership. Which earns you alot of respect in the NBA, not bouncing around like your auditioning for the next season of dancing with the stars. I know he does a ton for the city, but how big of a punch to the groin is it when he wears a NY yankees hat to a ALCS game in cleveland or stands on the cowboys sideline talking to TO when playing the browns, instead of supporting his fellow Cleveland athletes. Does he really care THAT much about the city of Cleveland and its fans?! To me he doesn't seem to fully understand how much the city is behind him and lives on every move he makes and every word uttered from his mouth. To me, he just doesn't seem to have that inner drive to win it all and it showed in games 4,5,and 6. He expects it to come easy, which we all know, doesn't happen when it comes to winning world championships.
ReplyDeleteActually King James won 3 High School State Titles and his Team Finished #1 in the USa his Senior Year. The King Nickname started when he wasn't even a teenager.
ReplyDeleteTrevor how are superstars suppossed to act in this day an age? Kobe had rape charges filed against him (yes they were dropped)- but look at Big Ben, look at all the MLB Players on Roids, all of the DUI's, drugs, Michael Vick, and on and on.
I actually think James has handled himself like a superstar. Yes he has done and said some moronic things but he is only 25. People hat him because of his game and they try to find dirt on him. The guy has handled the spotlight and pressure about as good as you could ask
Stop being such a Lebron Gomer Mike and think rationally here. Who cares about High School State Titles and Rankings. I have friends who won multiple state titles in sports who now work at Blockbuster. High School titles dont me shit, period. Superstar athletes are suppossed to act like superstars should and be role models, humble and respectful to the game. LEADERS of their teams. Im not condoning anything that Little Ben did, Vick, etc..but they aren't labeled "The King" and when they had a bad game, they didn't say they "spoiled people" with their play. I give respect and high praise to people who earn it, people who lead, people who win, people who care and die for the good of their team and teamates. Lebron has simply shown me none of that. I see more leadership and superstar qualities out of guys like D-Wade and Steve Nash than I do lebron. Dont even get me started on Kobe, just because some filled charges doesn't mean anything, they were dropped for a reason. Lebron isn't half the man and leader Kobe is and it shows on the court with his play and championship ring count. Just because a guy doesn't get in trouble with the law, doesnt mean he has handled the spotlight and pressure well. He has done nothing but give up in the playoffs and on his teamates and now about to give up on the city that has done everything for him. Honestly, who wears a yankees cap in the ALCS when the indians are playing the Yankees?! The guy doesn't give a shit about cleveland or its fan, not sure why so many of you care so much about him. I guess its because he won MVP's and do some highlight plays.
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