When I was coaching volleyball in 2005 at a little Catholic school in Akron, some of my kids indicated they had at various times hung out with Lebron James, since his school was a source of boys to date for the all-girls school. They described him as someone relatively down to earth, even if he did have a posse. And for all of the return trips to "St. V's" and bike donations in Akron, you had the impression that this kid could in fact be the next Michael Jordan. He had a humble class about him.
In his first years in the NBA, despite enormous expectations and pressure, he generally conducted himself with a certain grace that was frankly uncharacteristic of any kid who wasn't even old enough to buy a beer. His mother was a bit of an embarrassing side show, but he seemed to really grow into a leadership role, confident without being cocky. In a world of superstar schmucks like Kobe Bryant, it was refreshing.
Unfortunately, it didn't last. Every season he seemed to whine more about fouls (or lack thereof), the complementary remarks about his competition and teammates became scarce, and he made sure that the camera was on him for every chalk clap. It was very un-Jordan-like, and that was disappointing. It reached a certain peak when they lost in the 2009 finals, as Lebron ran off the court without so much a handshake to anyone. Things have been different ever since.
Even though I never cared much for Shaq, as I've always felt his only real talent was his size (and the ability to jump around the league and tolerate teammates if it meant he could win). But I also felt that perhaps with his experience on championship teams he would have some positive impact on James, to teach him what it meant to win those championships. Heck, I gave him credit when he simply said in interviews, "This is Lebron's team."
I don't think he was much of a mentor though, or if he was, we would've seen a different Lebron James this year. He was aloof in interviews, inconsistent on the court, and never took responsibility for anything. Maybe the pressure of the expectations was getting to him, but any player that is truly great certainly wouldn't make comments like, "I can't score 30 points every game."
It all fell apart in that last series, and it's like he wasn't even there for the last game. The truth is the he didn't deserve to even be there. I feel bad for his teammates, most of whom were slightly above average, but clearly loved the game. Z, Andy and the rest, they looked up to him.
When Michael Jordan came out of retirement, the whole affair was settled with a simple press release that simply said, "I'm back." He didn't schedule an hour-long show on ESPN, asking for the anchors to suck him off the whole time. But that's what Lebron did. It was a narcissistic and masturbatory performance of the worst kind. It wasn't about the game anymore, it was about him enjoying some inappropriate touching (and ESPN should be kicked in the nuts for agreeing to a ratings grab like that devoid of any actual journalism).
As someone who moved out of Cleveland last year and saw very little of the regular season on TV, I was already somewhat detached. That he's leaving Cleveland is not something I'm all that bent up about. What saddens me is that a brilliantly talented kid from Akron had the opportunity to restore some kind of integrity to professional sports, but instead tattooed "chosen 1" on his back and chose to be the kind of douchebag that makes you dislike pro athletes.
I often wonder what would have happened if he had to play in college first. Jordan left after three years, but there's no doubt that the experience drastically altered his maturity level for the better. Heck, he did go back to finish his degree after two years. What made Jordan great was the patience and loyalty to a city and a team, to see things through. Lebron James will never have that opportunity now, and frankly on a team with another superstar, is more likely to be D-Wade's Pippen than a Jordan, or even a douchebag Kobe.
By the way, I'm completely amused by Dan Gilbert's letter to fans. It reads a little like a psycho-ex-girlfriend's letter, but at least it calls James out for what he is.
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