There will be a lot today on LeBron James. I know some of you don't like him which is fine, but this is a pretty big sports moment. Today is his stage therefore why we are writing about it.
I am former LeBron James hater. Looking at it last night, I reflected about the range of emotions that I have went through with King James. It never really stayed the same, and over the last month, it's completely changed. I am not in LeBron's camp, but as I put it on Twitter last night...
If anyone doesn't respect at least what LeBron does on the court, they aren't worth talking basketball with or any other sport. I mean, if people are that illogical about LeBron, it's just not worth the argument.
I stand by that comment, and my 2008 self would not believe at all. I really hated LeBron because at that time, everyone loved LeBron and it irked me something fierce. Every person my age liked LeBron during their life, and even if they hate him now, they were a fan at some point. It became fascinating to hear all of the fake Cavalier fans just because of LeBron.
Maybe it is because people grew up, or LeBron, somehow did not live up to expectations, but all of the love suddenly disappeared. The new attitude ended up being 'Let's hate LeBron!!!!!! BOOOOOOO.' It sucked for those of us who always had this disdain for many years. Oh now you want to hate, LeBron? Screw that. Therefore that's why I self-proclaimed myself, 'The Hipster of LeBron Hate.'
I still kept this Bayless-like hate of LeBron during 'The Decision' process. I hated that he joined Dwyane Wade, and hated how it all played out. Although I started to analyze LeBron's game closer during the 2010 season. Then I started to admire how he played the game. I don't know what changed, maybe I grew a little bit and grew smarter about how I watched sports, that's really my only explanation.
I mean let's face it, there will never be another LeBron. After watching the Heat dominated the Chicago Bulls, I expected LeBron to take over and beat the Dallas Mavericks. The complete opposite happened, and the narrative got overblown to ridiculous levels.
The Heat had an up and down season in 2011-2012, but LeBron kept banging that drum with another MVP season. He carried his team at some points with an injured Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for most of the year. What LeBron did this season, and in the postseason will be looked at as one of the best seasons of all time.
During the playoffs, the Heat faced two games where the media sharpen their fangs like a True Blood character, and the Heat fought it off both times. People really believed the Heat would fall to the Indiana Pacers after Game 3, and Miami came back with a vengeance eviscerating the Pacers in six games. Then in Game 6 against Boston with LeBron facing elimination, he put on a virtuoso performance that even the biggest LeBron hater could say they were glad they witnessed this sort of greatness.
I mentioned that there might be a Jordan-Drexler parallel at the beginning of this series with LeBron and Kevin Durant. James made damn sure that KD did not steal his spotlight, his moment. This season belonged to LeBron, not Kevin Durant.
I am glad I got over my blinded LeBron hate before this season, and somewhat last season. I would have deprived myself of enjoying this transcendent day in sports.
Charlie.
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