Miami Heat: Why Public Should Be Ashamed of LeBron Treatment

It has been well over a year and a half since LeBron James joined the Miami Heat. James was met with immediate backlash and received tons of criticism for leaving his home state and building his own "super team" in Miami.

What is shocking is the distaste for James is still very prevalent. It's one thing to give James a hard time after his departure from Cleveland, but to continue to unfairly target James is wrong and disrespectful.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins made headlines this week when he criticized James for tweeting about Blake Griffin's infamous dunk over Perkins. James defended himself against Perkins' comments and the media once again grilled LeBron James.

In his response, James vented about being an easy target for anyone to attack. He's correct in his assessment. Most people will agree with you if you're saying anything anti-LeBron, and that's just sad.

James is a great face for the NBA.

He's young, talented, hard-working and does everything right off the court. LeBron James has been a positive example for all the kids who watch sports but rarely see a game.

If we continue to push James into a corner, what kind of message are we sending our kids?

Is it okay to behave like a criminal as long as you are "clutch?"

Can you do whatever you please off the court as long as you have a ring?

LeBron James has been one of the few model citizens in a mixed bag of NBA superstars.

If we continue to treat him harshly, we may just run off all the nice guys.

Follow me @ www.twitter.com/jaysmithsports