Miami Heat: Five Things We Have Learned Since LeBron James Made the Decision

July 8, 2011 marks the one-year anniversary of LeBron James' monumental decision, which was broadcasted to millions on an ESPN special titled what else, "The Decision."

In the hours immediately following James' decision to "take his talents to South Beach," the self-proclaimed "King" was met with disapproval from most NBA fans and hatred from those in Cleveland.

Eleven months later to the day of "The Decision," James and his new team would be in a deadlock with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals (Tied 2-2).

Within four days the Heat would be losers and James would become the easiest and most deserving target in sports and pop culture altogether.

As we look back on last summer's decision, Bleacher Report shares five things we have learned during this year of LeBron hate.

LeBron Still Isn't Clutch

Similar to this photo of LeBron during the 2011 NBA Finals, sometimes the moment seemed much too large for the 26-year-old superstar.

After a strong performance in the postseason's first three rounds and a 24-point effort in Game 1 against Dallas, James faded quicker than an overwashed Heat jersey.

James would hit rock bottom in Game 4, when he finished the contest with a total of eight points in Miami's series-tying loss.

Two days later, a 9-point loss in Game 5 would overshadow James' triple-double, and Miami would be on the brink, eventually losing the series three days later in South Beach.

Despite all the progress James made during the Heat's Eastern Conference playoff run, he would become the butt of countless fourth quarter jokes and continued hatred by fans for his 2011 Finals performance and his subsequent handling of the media's questions regarding it.

LeBron Is the King of Nothing

In all fairness, LeBron embraces the nickname "King James."

But what exactly is he the king of?

Hell, Dwyane Wade is the best player on Miami's roster, so maybe "Prince James" is a better fit (shout-out to ESPN's Skip Bayless).

However it's still very clear that LeBron views himself as a king, just remember back to his postgame comments following Miami's Game 6 loss last month, when James mishandled a reporter's poorly-timed question about his "haters."

Though he has since apologized for the comment, here it is anyway:

"At the end of the day, all the people that were rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day, they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today." - LeBron James following Game 6 loss to the Mavericks

Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers Despise LeBron

Immediately following LeBron's departure to Miami on national television, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert issued a letter to Cavs fans regarding his disgust about the way things went down.

Gilbert's letter guaranteed a championship in the near future and ripped James, using words like "heartless" and "callous" to describe LeBron's decision, but fans agreed for the most part.

Some fans went as far to set fire to their LeBron James jerseys and do away with anything and everything pertaining to the former King of Cleveland.

The hate reached it's peak on December 2, 2010, when James returned to Quicken Loans Arena for the first time as a visitor and was met with more boos than a haunted house.

LeBron and the Heat Still Need Work

Both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were men without answers following Miami's surprising Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

The two had laughed, celebrated, taunted, and smiled their way to the podium all postseason long before the team's final playoff series.

The two even engaged in an extravagant on-court celebration following Miami's series win over the Boston Celtics in South Beach, which was met with much criticism outside of the Heat and it's fans.

Unfortunately for LeBron, the Heat and it's supporters, Miami is in need of roster changes and better direction if it's going to win not seven, but one title.

LeBron Is Not, and Never Will Be Michael Jordan

Following Miami's five-game series win over the Chicago Bulls in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals and shortly before the 2011 NBA Finals tipped off, former Bull Scottie Pippen ignited a firestorm when he compared LeBron to former teammate Michael Jordan.

Pippen said the following:

"Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play the game. I may go so far as saying LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game." - Scottie Pippen on ESPN Radio (May 27, 2011)

James did his best to prove Pippen wrong in the 2011 NBA Finals and quickly ended any debate of whether he is or will ever be on Michael Jordan's level.

Let me be perfectly clear: I don't hate LeBron James as a person or a player. I simply disagree with the way he chose to make his decision, not his decision itself (like many others), and I disagree with the way he carries himself despite having won exactly nothing.

As a sports fan, I hope this past year of hate humbles LeBron and brings out his best basketball next season, if there is basketball.

Patrick Clarke is a Featured Columnist for the Phoenix Suns. Follow on Twitter @_Pat_Clarke