Don’t get confused, this isn’t an article defending LeBron. I’m among the same mob of basketball fans that wouldn’t mind if he never wins a championship. However, it is impossible to not watch him and realize what an absolute beast of an athlete he is.
The Knicks have had a roller coaster of a season, that’s for sure, but they were really hitting a hot streak down the stretch. Their lineup has been all over the place, what with temporary Linsanity and all that, but players showed up to play and exceeded expectation. Since Mike Woodson took over, they went 11-1 at home. That singular loss at Madison Square Garden was to the Heat, so it only makes sense that the Knicks, no matter how good they were at the end, would hit a brick wall when matched up against Miami in the first round.
Carmelo Anthony has been on the warpath, reminding everyone of what he’s capable of, but when it came to the Playoffs, the Heat shut him down. As much as I can’t stand them, Miami looks even better than they did last year because of the simple fact that LeBron has taken a deep breath and stepped it up on defense. There is no doubt about his offensive prowess but all of last year he played a different kind of defense. He was busy playing it off the court.
Now, like I said, I have no interest in defending LeBron, but that doesn’t mean we can’t understand him. LeBron has almost never played basketball without someone watching. He was already a star by his sophomore year of high school, crowned a “King” soon after, and drafted with the overall top pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He would become the Rookie of the Year in the same state that had named him “Mr. Basketball” for the three years in a row before that.
In this Age of Information, where ESPN plays Sportscenter up to 12 times a day, LeBron’s story was a goldmine. He could do no wrong, bringing glory to his hometown team, and helping the USA win Gold in 2008. The media ate it up and fans of the sport rooted for the golden kid. However, after losing in the finals to Spurs in 2007, the only success that still evaded James was an NBA Championship. He would be named NBA MVP for the next two seasons but would not match the playoff success of 2007.
With his ring finger still bare, LeBron became one of the most sought after free agents in recent history and the attention surrounding it was unparalleled. LeBron, used to the attention by now, gave the media what it wanted. His every move and meeting was analyzed, leading up to “The Decision,” an hour long special to announce his signing. Next, Miami introduced the big three with a firework show worthy of the Fourth of July. It was flashy and extravagant, supposed to be a celebration, but instead it reeked of arrogance.
Just like that, LeBron went from Hometown Hero to the most hated man in America. In hindsight, the kid crowned king should’ve realized how quickly the masses could turn on him. LeBron didn’t help the situation at all, continuing to make a spectacle of his every decision: commercials addressing his thought process, tweets responding to his critics. He tried to salvage his image in light of this P.R. disaster, all while doing exactly what he promised. He brought his talents to South Beach and brought the team to the Finals in his very first year there. But once those Finals began, it was clear his head wasn’t entirely in the game.
There was a collective sigh of relief across the basketball world as the Mavericks overcame the Heat in six games. Throughout the series, LeBron continued to address the bad press, saying he spent his nights after the games reading everything being written about him. He’d lash out in tweets and interviews, defending his performances. This was his biggest mistake yet. By responding to his critics, he only invited further antagonism. He was wasting his energy defending himself off the court while Dallas was busy winning a championship.
This year, LeBron seems to have learned his lesson. His offensive stats haven’t faltered but he’s increased his presence in the backcourt with a renewed energy, using his power to dominate opposing players. While he still has a huge media presence, he’s been piling up the rebounds and holding back on the retorts. He might have finally figured out what it means to be King.
Heavy may be the head that wears the crown, but if anyone has the strength to hold their head high, it’s LeBron. For the longest time he was the people’s King, ruling with the public support, but, after his move to Miami, he learned just how quickly the masses could turn on you. They called for his head on a pike. They were insatiable but LeBron tried to appease them, get back on their good side. A true King, however, rules despite public opinion, and if he really wants to earn that crown, now is the time to play the greatest basketball we’ve ever seen. With the Knicks done, Chicago ailing, and the Celtics aging, the Heat seem set to return to the Finals. But can he conquer the West?
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