Jul 09 2010
Lebron James in a striped purple shirt set for The Decision

LeBron James: the King Gave up his Crown

What’s left to be said about LeBron James that hasn’t been said? The past few days, I’ve been posting my thoughts and reactions @whudat but I’ll summarize: King James gave up his crown. Last night’s one hour special confirmed that LeBron James is not made of the same competitive stuff that fueled Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and certainly not, Kobe Bryant. It ended that debate. Who is currently the best NBA player in basketball? It’s Kobe Bryant. It’s also his crown; LeBron needs to to ship that Fed Ex, asap.

The Evolutionary Process

There is a reason why only a few franchises have consistently won championships; it’s hard work. To win a the highest levels, the focus and intensity it takes for a player to lead his team to that fantasized destination, is a long hard slog.  Yes, LeBron James gave seven years of his basketball life to the Cavaliers to no avail. But Michael Jordan, his supposed idol, had the same kind of dissapointments. While Jordan was busy racking up MVPs and scoring titles, for three consecutive years, during the playoffs, the Chicago Bulls were kicked and shoved around by the Detroit Pistons. It wasn’t until their core players got better, that the team figured out how to beat them. It was all highlight reels and trophies, from then on.

Becoming a champion isn’t an overnight thing. it’s an evolutionary process. One that, LeBron James decided he wants no part of.

I’m Not Surprised

As the free agency period began, I talked with a fellow NY Knicks fan. He was excited about LeBron James possibly becoming a New Yorker. At that time, Chicago was being talked up as his destination.  NY nor Miami were in the picture.  I tried to temper his enthusiasm, saying not to discount the Miami Heat. During last year’s All Star game, the joy and dynamics of a Lebron James/Dwyane Wade combo was on full display. Lebron James would be more than happy to suit up in Florida to create an unbeatable Super Friends tandum.

And So It Will Be

What will not, is any number of championships that emerge from this Super Friends combination, placing LeBron James in the same breath of the legends he idolizes. There will be an asterik after every ring *teamed up with Dwayne Wade* What’s the big deal? The top three players in the game today are: Kobe Bryant, LeBron james and Dwayne Wade.

Great players want to beat great players, not team up with them. That’s what fuels them. It’s proving yourself against the best competition.
Charles Barkley explained it best.

So did Reggie Miller.

You say, for all that fire, Barkley and Miller don’t have rings?

Kevin Mchale has three, he felt the same way.

Obviously, LeBron James is free to do what he wants, in reputation, he’s paying the price for it; but we are guaranteed another entertaining NBA season.

I just want two things:

LeBron James to stop calling himself the King; he hasn’t earned it.

For self respect’s sake, stop wearing that NY Yankee hat.


☼ What's Your Opinion? ☼

1 Ladydi Sat, Jul 10, 2010 - 9:43 pm

The entertainment world and sports world is CRAZZY. You can be so up and the “KING” (yes pun intended here) of the world and the next day on the list for the most hated person in sports and entertainment. I NEVER liked Lebron James ever since I saw his interview during the Olympics about the horrific incidents against the poor in Beijing. He takes a non-position on most things because he has no clue on what to say or how to say it. He always looks like a deer caught in headlights when the topic is about anything other than basketball. At the end of the day he was lucky to be granted height and the ability to play ball without it he would probably be in some unfortunate circumstances so he should try to be one of the most humble people around thanking GOD for the gift he received. While I appreciate him allowing his friends to be apart of the gravy train and getting them jobs and a leg up in the tightly closed and white-male dominated sports arena, this all goes to inexperience and poor management. Lebron from the beginning of last season should have been saying IF I DO NOT WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP HERE IN CLEVELAND THIS YEAR THEN I WILL GO LOOK FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. This way the fault would be with management and ownership and not him. He spent 7 years in Cleveland and that was enough time to win at least one championship. He owes them nothing BUT he did in in the wrong way. He should have never allowed the hype of his decision to get this blown up; he should have played it with a humble hand. WTF was the purpose of going to a boys and girls club in one of the RICHEST areas in the country. He should made it clear about his job is to play ball and entertain people and that the real work is done everyday by the hard-working men and women of this country. He showed himself to have no humility. I actually find all of this funny and just how dumb we all can be. He announced where he was going to play ball not the cure for cancer or the solution to end hunger in America. The real villian in all of this is as usual David Stern. He allows this non-sense to go on and the league continues to lose viewers. Chris Bosh or however his last name is spelled will be a poor addition to the trio…he is the weakest link. Wade is good, very good, but he has gone so South Beach he can be strange at times. But Wade showed what a master manipulator he has become. From dumping the wife, to getting temporary custody of the kids, to getting Lebron to forget his own image and blindly follow Wade to Miami. This will be an interesting season.

2 Chris G. Sun, Jul 11, 2010 - 2:48 am

Great comment Ladydi. I moved it to this post.

3 MsMoni Mon, Jul 12, 2010 - 12:38 am

I for one think people made this out to be a way bigger deal than it really was He’s not the only superstar to make a move in order to win a ring. LeBron was in Cleveland for 7yrs. They had more than enough time to get him the team he needed to win a championship. People need to stop acting like what he did was any different than what KG did when he left the Timberwolves for Boston, or when Shaq left Orlando for L.A., or when A-rod left the Rangers for the Yankees, or Brett Farve leaving the Jets for Minnesota.  Every one of the men I just mentioned except for Brett left their teams to go on and win championships. Each of them has had to work to win.  I for one don’t think just because D-Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron are all on the same team that they’ll win every game, but the potential to be great is there. I respect him for making a decision in which he’s going to have to share the limelight. He’s going to a team with several superstars which means he’s going down to Miami with the mindset that he has to be a team player. People need to let this one go. If you were in his shoes I doubt many people’s decisions would differ.

4 Ladydi Thu, Jul 29, 2010 - 7:23 pm

I really don’t want to let this one go. This is going to be the best season ever. The drama of when he goes back to Cleveland is going to be a classic. Then, his management team’s other superstar is Chris Paul and the trade wars are even more interesting. Thank Lebron and the new class of overpaid superstars with no rings that David Stern created. The person who benefits from this is Kobe Bryant. Who would of ever thought a bigger ass in the NBA could be found than Kobe. I fully understand Lebron’s decision to leave but he only has himself to blame on how it was handled. Very bad PR move!

5 MsMonisdaddy Fri, Sep 17, 2010 - 1:56 pm

Nobody who understands the situation is criticizing him for leaving Cleveland like KG left Minnesota… he is being criticized for how he left. If you were with a boyfriend for 7 years would you like for him to leave and tell you hes going with another girl without any notice? I feel so sorry for the Cleveland Organization… he should have let them known but because he wanted the money (various contracts between espn, vitamin water, and whoever) he chose to make a publicity stunt. Also for your information the Cavaliers did everything they possibly could for LeBron… Mo williams, Shaquille Oneal, Jamison… thats 4 all stars in the starting roster right there. they signed JJ hickson, jamario moon, anthony parker, anderson varejo even picked up coach Bryan Scott… as I recall they did have the best record in the NBA last year. Please sister, stick to the WNBA or at least do your homework.

6 ms WOo Tue, Oct 12, 2010 - 2:10 pm

man i think you did ah good job trading because you didn’t have any help with them sorry ass players and i love that you got your shine on but it was time to move on just don’t choose number6

7 ttff Wed, Jan 26, 2011 - 1:24 am

★★★★★I love this , i lov e my b oyfriend, he is a nice guy !.
i met him via —– meetblackwhite.com—The most successful interra cial da t ing c lub. If you are still waiting for your sweet “milk” or “chocolate”, don’t hesitate to check it !! Don’t let your babies wait too long for you !

8 d broome Thu, Mar 17, 2011 - 11:14 pm

to who thats good sportsmanship

9 KIWANNA Tue, May 17, 2011 - 11:29 am

LEBRON I LIKE YOU SO MUCH I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU

10 aspen Tue, Jul 19, 2011 - 6:04 pm

lebron get urself together

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