Heavy is the Crown for King James
We’re all witnesses… to the first chink in the King’s armor.
For the past year, things have been golden for LeBron James. But after the Cleveland Cavaliers’ unceremonious departure from the NBA Playoffs was followed by James walking out without congratulating the opposing Orlando Magic, speaking to the media or staying to talk to his teammates, it appears that for the first time in his NBA career a bit of the shine has worn off the King’s crown.
The moment would normally be dismissed if not for the fact that James is widely known as one of the most accessible and down to Earth players in the game. In his defeat we
weren’t witnesses to any of that. We were instead treated to a rare instance in which James was human.
“It’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them. I’m a winner. It’s not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.”
That was how James inexplicably tried to justify his bad attitude to the media the day after the Game 6 loss when a simple, “I was disappointed in losing. I should have congratulated the Magic and my teammates for a great season. Even Nike LeBron puppet knows that,” would have gone a long way toward saving face. And wearing an all-white Yankees hat while he did it? Very nice touch. But at least he sent Dwight Howard a congratulatory email, because that makes everything better. Doesn’t he know Superman is a Twitter fan?
James may be on his way to claiming the title of best player since His Airness, but he has a lot to learn when it comes to the unwritten rules of the game, namely that you always congratulate your opponent whether you win or lose. They teach you that at YMCA camps. In one fell swoop, LeBron gave an excuse for other ballers to punk out after a game. Somewhere a high school player that can jump out of the gym is saying, “If The Chosen One won’t give a hand pound, why should I?” And don’t come at me with the Charles Barkley “Athletes aren’t role models” arguments. When you watch the Denver Nuggets play and look in the seats to see children with fauxhawks and imitation tattoos on their arms in honor of Chris Andersen, the look and attitude of these players absolut
ely has influence on those that admire them.
That’s something James forgot this weekend. He represents more than just himself. Everything is being set in place for LeBron to be the face of this franchise and the NBA. That face can’t only appear when the Sun is out. Anybody can do campy choreographed stunts with teammates when you’re running through the League in the regular season, but how you respond in the face of adversity is when you truly show your character. The future $1 billion face of the Association can’t afford to use up his social currency with fans or teammates. Don’t be surprised if David Stern politely reminds him of this with a phone call.
And they won’t admit it, but there is no doubt that James’ act of silence hurt his teammates. Of course they won’t crack on the man who almost carried them to the NBA Finals. It’s understood that you don’t bite the hand that feeds you the rock. But you win and lose as a team, and not staying after the Game 6 loss only added to the pain that the team was feeling after such a stunning defeat. It also may have tainted the chemistry that was built in a season that is to be remembered, all things considered. If you are claiming to be the franchise player and team leader, you do not turn your back and let Boobie Gibson have to take the podium to answer questions about the end of your team’s season. Yes there are some people that will say, “Well his teammates should be under the magnifying glass. They’re the cats who let him down in the biggest series of the season, not vice versa.” It doesn’t work that way. If Kobe loses in the NBA Finals, he can’t put his headphones on, pat Adam Morrison on the back and say, “You step up and field these questions, Big Moustache.”
To top it all off, the Orlando Magic deserved better for their accomplishment. They exposed the Cavs for what they were and showed the world they were the superior team. Kobe did the same thing to the Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony, who has been ripped before for his lack of leadership, shined by sharing congratulatory words and a hug with Bryant after the game. Even if Anthony never wins a ring, he showed how a true winner behaves in defeat.
Maybe LeBron should go watch some ESPN Instant Classic videos of the games between the Detroit Pistons and L.A. Lakers. Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson always made sure to keep it cool with each other, even if they probably wanted to kill one another when the ball was in the air. On second thought, maybe we don’t need to go as far as those two did in pre-game salutes. Kisses aren’t necessary, but LeBron could have at least given the Magic players a handshake for their worthy accomplishment.
Isiah’s actually seen both ends of the sportsman’s spectrum and could tell you that it’s a bad idea to walk away without congratulating the victor. He learned that the hard way
after pulling the “I’m taking my ball and going home” move when the Chicago Bulls swept Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals. It should go without saying it but I will anyway. LeBron, you do not want your name in the same sentence as Zeke.
James can’t be so naive to act like he’s above the rules of sportsmanship. No great player before him has gone their career without a heartbreaking defeat. Jordan had them against the Pistons and Celtics. Kobe did as well against the same organizations in the NBA Finals and both players had enough respect for others to swallow their pride and accept their defeat with class. If hockey players can shake hands after literally throwing down their gloves and pounding each other in a game, you can be cool enough to be a good sport on the hardwood.
Don’t get the misconception that I’m asking for James to step down from his throne. All he needs to do is like Kanye said, occasionally bow in the presence of greatness, which is exactly what anyone on Orlando would have done if they had lost to Cleveland. There’s hardly anything to dislike about LeBron James. He loves and respects the history of the NBA. His game will carry him to the Hall of Fame and he will have plenty of banners to hang in the rafters, whether it’s in Cleveland or New York. In his play and through his charity work, he has proven to be as selfless a person as there is in the game. But he’s no Superman. The caped one will be playing in the NBA Finals Thursday against L.A. That isn’t what matters though. What does is that no matter how he tries to spin it, LeBron will never truly be a winner until he learns how to lose.
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Uh…isn’t that like, the definition of being a poor sport? The only thing worse than walking off court and not shaking hands is not being able to admit it was a mistake. I think LeBron’s statement to the media the next day revealed a lot more about his character than his initial action walking off the court. Disappointing.
But, it’s also wack how Zeke’s failures in New York have made people unable to talk about his career rationally.
Yes, Lebron would not want to be labeled a horrible GM (a lie) or a horrible coach (the truth.)
But, I’m sure he’d like to win back to back championships with a scrappy team that went through both Bird’s Celtics and Magic’s Lakers. Cause that’s what Isiah did. He beat the two greatest teams of his generation to get his rings. He doesn’t have anything to be ashamed of as far as his playing career and most cats in the league should wish to be mentioned in the same sentence as him as a player.
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Isiah Thomas
Lebron James I’d take my 5 against anyone else’s 10 times out of 10.
Jesus.
I expect you guys to dig up something on Kobe when they lose to the Magic.
I mean, the crap Lebron got through this series was RIDICULOUS. When the calls came the Cavaliers way, it was “OMG THE CAVS ONLY WON BECAUSE OF REFS CALLS” and when the calls went the Magic’s way, it was “HA CAVS CAN’T WIN WHEN THE CALLS AREN’T COMING THERE WAY!!!”
Whenever Lebron went out, the lead vanished. Lebron’s teammates started playing like defensive idiots (VAREJAO). Mike Brown pretty much decided he wasn’t going to coach and let his DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS TAKE OVER IN TIMEOUTS. Lebron tried to do everything and at the end, found himself too exausted. Everyone is thanking Delonte? The dude who, at every second quarter, held the ball and stopped ball movement and practically lost the Cavalier lead every game? Really?
If I was Lebron, I’d be FUMING. And now I have to deal with this? Screw it. I’d never shake anyone’s hand again.
He chose not to shake hands. He knows people watch his every move, he revels in it. He likes being the center of attention, just like most NBA superstars. So, if you like the spotlight you have to accept it when it illuminates and when it burns. That’s life.
He went out like a punk for not shaking hands. It’s a punk move. If I was on the park, or in the gym, and somebody did that, I’d think they were a sore-losing punk. If I smashed somebody in 2K9 or Live and they got all pissy, I’d think the same.
If Bron didn’t believe in post game interactions he should have the court when he won as well as when he lost. His excuse that he’s a “winner” is bogus. He’s lost plenty of times before. In fact, he doesn’t have a ring, so ultimately he’s lost every year since he’s been in the league. He should understand what losing is, and he should know how to deal with it by now.
He deserves to be questioned for acting churlish. He make is own King-sized bed, so now he has to lie in it. Ulimately, the same media that is tearing him down will be praising him even more when he wins a ring. That’s how the game works.
-Everton 1-2 Chelsea
-My lawnmower broke
-I came down with the flu (no swin-o)
I’ve been in bed with that always-fun combination of sweats/chills and body ache for about 48 of the past 62 hours, the suspicious timing of which will please those of you on the “look how right we were!” side of the debate being hosted here. Unfortunately, the Cavs’ Game 6 loss was only the fifth worst thing that happened to me this weekend (No. 4 being we just figured out we’ve been overpaying on our local property taxes; long, expensive story), and almost certainly not the reason I got sick. Regarding which I can only say, I’m sorry to have disappointed you.
But, since I’m pretty much contractually obliged to speak on this topic, here’s what I’ll say:
-LeBron wasn’t good enough. Statistically speaking, he wasn’t good enough in roughly the same way that Jerry West wasn’t good enough in the 1969 NBA Finals, when he (West) averaged 38 ppg and claimed Finals MVP honors despite the Lakers (who also had Wilt Chamberlain!!! And Elgin Baylor!!!!!) losing the series. But still, not good enough is not good enough, and that’s exactly what LeBron was.
-LeBron should’ve stayed around to congratulate the Magic, and he should’ve spoken to the media. He didn’t, and so some amount of public wrist-slapping is deserved. I could try to defend/justify his failure here by imagining what was going through his mind at the final buzzer — “I’m better than every guy on that team, but because they have a bunch of 6-9 shooters who hit an absurd 50 percent from three the whole series, they’re moving on and I’m not; f*ck this” — but that would make me the sort of empathetic judge who screws up a perfectly good supreme court. It also wouldn’t change the fact that he should’ve congratulated the Magic, and he didn’t. So, fail LeBron.
-I could also argue that many of the folks on the “You stay classy, LeBron” tip (sorry my phone was off, Myles; really hated to miss that text when it came through) seem a little silly hammering any shortcomings in LeBron’s character when Your Favorite Player™ is famously and repeatedly guilty of much, much worse, but again, that wouldn’t change the fact that LeBron should’ve manned up after the game, and he should expect to be publicly chastised for failing in that regard.
-As more people seem to be realizing by the hour, hating LeBron is fun, free and easy; I often think that if I hadn’t had the access to him that I have, perhaps I would hate him too. Just my luck that I had to meet him and spend a bunch of time around him, I guess. My judgment must be atrocious.
Anyway, those of you who choose to, take joy in his team’s loss (enjoying another team’s failure is at least as fun as reveling in “your” team’s success, a fact of sports fandom I’m with which I’m well acquainted), and let the Cavs’ failure reflect on him however you like. But anyone who looks past the actual oncourt realities of this series — Orlando’s matchup advantages and their almost literally unbelievable three-point shooting and the Cavs’ obvious deficiencies and LeBron’s historically mind-blowing excellence — and sees it as anything other than what it was is too basketball-stupid for me to take seriously.
You can, as The Logo made clear 40 years ago, be f*cking ridiculously good and not good enough at the same time.
Actually, I’m really asking, because I don’t remember that crap. But my point remains.
Yawn, the guy wants to win you’re asking why he didn’t go and hug the guys he just lost to? Why he didn’t want to talk to the media who are going to ask him the same questions for two months regardless of one they do it? And his team mates? who didn’t step up continually? I think LeBron is the best player in the NBA and still, even after “this” the best team mate in the NBA
”2.Speaking of Shard. Clutch. LeBron….eh, not so much. Yes, there were amazing drives/dunks, clutch FT and long range threes that willed their way in. But there were also numerous thoughtless turnovers, airballs, and completely mismanaged possessions. And please dont say he was tired. Cause youre probably one of the same folks that was talking that “Fo, Fo, Fo” Sh*t a week ago. The Cavs have played the least games of any team left in the playoffs and Shard has played 200 more minutes that the Kang. No excuses. If hes amazing one minute, he cant be that tired the next. 3.He fell over. That was Bullsh*t. Capital B. 4.Hes 6′8, 270 or some sh*t like that. For the millionth time, get a post game. 5.When he starts throwing teammates under the bus, lets just hope one of them uses one of those fancy cameras he got them. 6.If a certain someone was one second away from being swept after winning 66 games, being named MVP, and being proclaimed the favorite to win the series by ‘experts’ despite the fact that his team lost 3 of 4 during the regular season to that same opponent and proceeded to turn the ball over 7 times in the fourth quarter and overtime, shoot airballs and keep looking for the refs to bail him out in the biggest must-win game of his life…Hed NEVER EVER EVER hear the end of it. Ever.”
His biggest argument is usually that Kobe would catch heat for such and such so he MUST balance things out. Meh. For me, he has lost any credibility in discussing Bron-related things.
In the world of basketball, solely basketball, being a poor sport is worse than whatever things players might have done in their past.
Now, LeBron is one of my favorite players, but even I have to admit that it was a bad decision on his part. I know he didn’t intend to come across as a bad sport or anything, but that’s what it came down to. His disappointment and emotions got the best of him, simple and plain.
Not as big a deal as people think, but at the same time he should face responsibility for what he did.
It of course isn’t the end of the world, but it is worth discussing.
2)Ive already referenced the stats from Game 6′s second half compared to his performance in the 4th of Game 5. There was a big difference in his approach to the game. Im not crazy or hating to infer that he may have stopped trying once he saw all hope was lost.
3)Leaving your teammates to answer questions about the end of their season by themselves is embarassing and in poor taste. Please acknowledge that.
4)I merely questioned his ability to handle adversity because as others have noted, it wasnt the act in itself that was so egregious, but his sleeping on it and coming back with that clearly flawed rationale for his actions. Im not crazy or hating to contend that we wont know how he will handle bigger things until they arise. You think they wont come and thats fine.
5)Whatever post game he has is very basic and hardly suitable for a player of his capabilities. It needs work.
6)Hes been in the league six years and is without question its most notorious traveller. He was called for a late game travel in on of the first two home games, he travled on his assist to Delonte and he was called for a few other traveling calls in the series. And this is just during the ECF. His footwork needs work.
7)He clearly takes advantage of his size, strength and speed to muscle his way past weaker defenders and when they ‘fight back’ theyre called for the foul. I simply wanted them to be able to defend him physically since he initiates the contact.
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