Fans
First off Cleveland fans could never be accused of being too hard on Bron Bron. He basically took a dump on the downtown flats. Then tried to say he did it for the kids (Trick Daddy style). So Cleveland could never be too hard on James.
Fans outside of the state of Ohio are reacting to what they see and hear. Now the message can be skewed by the messenger, and at certain times it has been. However if you operate by the principle of believing half of what you hear and all of what you see, one could say he’s acted like a d-bag. The media isn’t misconstruing what we see. Did the media photo shop “The Chosen One” tattoo on his back? What about the Macys Thanksgiving day like parade the Heat through the day after the decision? Is the media telling him to tank playoff games? Did the media tell him to do the decision…okay you got me there.
When LeBron entered the NBA he sold himself to the fans as a humble guy that everyone could root. Seven years later it has turned out that that isn’t who he is. So, now fans feel duped, and they have decision to act on their emotions. As long as it doesn’t get violent, it’s all good.
The Media
The print media is supposed to be neutral (not including blog sites, because that would indict myself, and ya boy can’t have that). Their job is to report. With that being considered media has been extremely too hard on LeBron. When you consider that a year prior to the decision, the media is what started all of this. They bombarded him with questions surrounding his free agency. It was nonstop. During every media session James was asked about his future. So after the Cavs were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs (thanks to a King Houdini like performance). The hype created by the media only intensified. Obviously we know it came to a climax, at a boys and girls club in Connecticut. Thanks to Gym Gray, ESPN, and a table cloth style long sleeve. So now that LeBron has become the public relations equivalent to Kanye West at an awards show, the media wants to condemn his actions. Sorry but it doesn’t work that way. You created this monster (Victor Frankenstein style) when you hoisted LeBron James up on that public throne of press clippings. So don’t complain now, because he’s crapping on your front lawn. Just clean it up.
LeBron The Basketball Player
Did you think I was going to leave without talking about his game? Oh no I’m goin’ in.As basketball fans it’s time reassess are position on LeBron. He is not the type of basketball player we thought he was going to be. Now he’s a great player. Probably one of the 30 best all-time at this point, but he’s not a franchise player on a championship team. If you’re objective and you look at his career to date, there are definite conclusions that can be drawn. First off he plays his best when there is no pressure. Look no further than his 2 MVPs or Game 5 against Detroit (before you go crazy remember Cleveland wasn’t picked to win that series). Secondly, he will always do what is best for him financially. Don’t try to tell me he took less to go to Miami. When we all know he went to Miami, because it was the easiest way to win a championship, and with championships come money. Miami was like a get rich starter kit.
Lastly, he does not want to be “The Guy” for a franchise. He proved that by going to Miami, and if that wasn’t convincing enough. Look at how eager he was to give up the number one spot in the Finals. Dude was passing the ball like it was a stick of dynamite. You could see him watch the ball come towards him and think, “Oh no here comes pressure. Now thanks! Here Mario Chalmers you shoot it.” The ceiling for James is being a great number 2 on a championship team. So let’s stop scrutinizing him like a number 1.
The bottom line is it time for everyone to back off LeBron James (excluding Cleveland of course). It was great fun, but he’s served his year in public perception jail. Now it’s time to let him out until he does another decision, and takes his talent to Venice Beach.
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