July 8, 2010: a day that changed the landscape of the NBA for years to come.
It was the day that LeBron James announced his decision to leave Cleveland and to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the day that created the BIG 3 and the day that would start the beginning of ESPN’s over-coverage of Miami and all things involving the Heat.
It still amazes me how people cannot hate LeBron James and often run to his defense. They say things like, “LeBron just wanted to win” and “At least he donated the money to charity for his TV show”.
All of these comments are garbage.
LeBron is a self-centered boy in a man’s body who seeks attention wherever he can get it.
Don’t get me confused, I do not care that he left Cleveland and went to Miami. It’s exactly how he carried himself that makes him completely worthy of all the criticism and “hate” he has received since.
In Cleveland, LeBron was a hero that quickly became arguably the most popular player in the NBA. He was able to take a cast of sub-par characters including the crazy-haired Anderson Varejao, the incredibly average Mo Williams, and the alleged mother lover Delonte West to 60 win seasons and deep playoff runs.
Of course, I never liked him. Whether it was the title “King James” or the throwing of powder before his games, or just his foolish looking smile, I never rooted for LeBron. Sitting and watching “The Decision”, I was very split on what I wanted James to choose. My team, the Knicks, could really use a star player like LeBron (who couldn’t) but something about him has always rubbed me the wrong way. I would have had no problem with him choosing to stay in Cleveland.
But that’s not what happened.
And this made me furious. What arrogant jerk thinks its OK to hold numerous teams (Chicago, NY, NJ, Clippers, Cavs, etc.) hostage until the second week of July, making it impossible for those teams to make any moves until then? The answer is LeBron James. Who thinks it’s a great idea to have a television show on ESPN to announce his decision, as if he is that important? Once again, Lebron James. Don’t give me the crap about how it was for charity; he could have easily written a check.
It’s amazing how another superstar, Kevin Durant, would tweet days later that he would be signing a contract extension to remain in Oklahoma City. Class act Kevin.
So jerseys were burned, every city that had planned for LeBron now hated him, and LeBron was quickly becoming less popular. There was clearly only one to solve this scenario:
Hold a celebration for the formation of the BIG 3 and then say it would be easy to win more then 7 championships. Congratulations LeBron, now everyone who didn’t hate you, now hates you. Well, except for those loyal Miami Heat fans. The fans so loyal that they let Dallas fans take up over 5,000 seats in a must-win Game 6 in the NBA Finals. Yep, those Miami fans, which will be quick to forget about the Heat if they don’t win in the next two years.
As the season began, the Heat struggled and fans and media were quickly to call this Big 3 project a bust. But the talent on the team is undeniable and LeBron and co. would turn the ship and lead the team to the NBA Finals.
And then came “The Cough”
As everyone in America rooted against the Heat, they made themselves even less likeable when LeBron and D-Wade produced fake coughs, mocking the Mavericks’ superstar Dirk Nowitzki. Immaturity showed once again, and James couldn’t even back up the mockery, as the Mavericks would win the NBA title in 6 games.
It has been very frustrating watching such a talented man bring all this attention to himself, only to fail.
There are many athletes who thrive on people disliking them, and enjoy playing the bad guy. LeBron has repeatedly choked under the spotlight, and this makes me wonder why he continues his antics to bring the spotlight on him. Sure the media would have covered Miami, but it was his childish antics that created a hate towards the Heat and James, and unfortunately for James, the nation got their way.
Don’t play the villain if you can’t deal with the hype surrounding yourself. Don’t say you are going to win 7 championships until you have won 6. All of these are common sense and until LeBron takes a look at himself and realizes he just needs to let his game do the talking and keep quiet, he will never be adored and cant win.
When the NBA does resume, he needs to make a decision to keep his mouth shut and just play basketball.
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