Love Him or Hate Him, LeBron James Is One of a Kind

In a recent column on ESPN.com, Rick Reilly broke down the public perception of LeBron James to a tee. He eloquently detailed the many reasons as to why this year's league MVP might be the most unpopular player in the NBA. 

"You despise him because he passes too much. Imagine that. You hate a modern NBA player for not being selfish". 

This, among other reasons in Reilly's brilliant column nearly force the reader to take an objective viewpoint and begin questioning how one man can attract so much undeserved hatred and criticism. I admit it (and i think he would too), "the decision" was a mistake. But how long are we going to talk about it? 

His decision to go to Miami is one that is made daily. Are you telling me that you wouldn't take a free, first-class trip out of Cleveland, to make millions of dollars playing with some of the best talent in the world in Florida?

Something tells me I know the answer to that one... 

The guy wants to win rings so that we can STOP obsessing over every breath that he takes and every shot that he doesn't. He desperately wants to succeed so that people will finally see him for the truly amazing player that he is. And yes, he is amazing. 

LeBron is averaging 30 points, 10 boards, and 5 assists per game in these playoffs so far—numbers that Rajon Rondo and Kevin Durant can only dream about. In a crucial game 5 against Indiana he dropped 40, grabbed 19 rebounds, and added 9 assists.

Magic Johnson or Oscar Robertson?

As I sit down watching this game, James has 41 points and 10 boards at the end of the THIRD QUARTER. I can't promise he's going to make a game-winning three at the buzzer, but I can tell you that if he wasn't wearing a Heat jersey tonight they might already be packing for South Beach.

Reilly also points out that in the playoffs, LeBron's percentage of game tying or winning shots at the end of regulation is higher than some guy playing for the Lakers whose name is synonymous with clutch. He highlights the fact that, unlike many other superstars, James hasn't had any problems off the court, or with his teammates. 

He is hated by millions of people because of a 30-minute television announcement that raised millions of dollars for charity. He is constantly criticized for giving his teammate an open look instead of taking a contested shot of his own. 

Or is he hated because we all expect him to be the best player this planet has ever seen?

Ring or no ring, LeBron James is a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. He is posting numbers that can be compared to very few players all-time. The man has Karl Malone's body with Vince Carter's athleticism. 

Chances are he will never satisfy his haters or silence his critics because everyone has their opinion.

But hate him or love him, you definitely can't say you've ever seen anything like him.