LeBron and D12: Redemption of One Ego for the Other

As we approach the two year anniversary of arguably the worst public relations event in recent sports history, LeBron James’ “The Decision,” we are now faced with another issue of arrogant drama from a diva in the NBA.

I can’t help but compare and contrast the differences between LeBron and Dwight Howard. As much as we crucify LeBron for the decision, let’s look at what his sins really were. We all knew that he would explore all options at the end of his contract with Cleveland; what person at the height of their talent and considered the best in their field wouldn’t?

He was at the top of his game and knew he had great value and wanted to explore that. He never hid that nor was he dishonest about it. He also didn’t make his free agency a season-long drama. Up until the end when he tanked it with Boston he was nothing but professional and played hard.

He never quit, never whined or complained about anything. He never tried to get his coach fired or give the team an ultimatum. When the season was over, he quietly waited until the free agency period began. He didn’t make anything about him, but let the finals play out. After that he didn’t tease any teams, but was up front and honest about his intentions.

He didn’t make any false promises, but was honest about everything kind of like Peyton Manning was this past year. In the end, he took less money to go to a new team; that is commendable. Really, LeBron’s only sin and it was a big one, was the display of arrogance and narcissism in "The Decision." It spoke poorly of him and humiliated Cleveland. That really was what hurt his brand.

Then after coming to Miami he played hard, took a year to mesh with the team, and during this playoff season he took his place as one of the greatest. Without complaining he played 45-plus minutes just about every game, played just about every position on the court except center and was asked to score over 25 a night while having to guard the opposition’s best player. He played so hard he cramped up one game. He sacrificed everything to win.

Aside from "The Decision," which he admits was a mistake, what has he done wrong? He acted professionally, played hard without complaint, did what needed to be done to win and pushed himself beyond his limits and took less money for a better opportunity. Shouldn’t we commend that?

Now let’s compare his actions to Dwight Howard. Like LeBron, Howard is a phenom, a freak of nature, a once in a lifetime player (For disclosure I am not a fan of Howard and think he is a spoiled child). He has the potential to dominate any game, shutdown any player and should be a Top Three in MVP voting every year.

We, as fans of the NBA are now entering what we hope to be the end of the Dwight Howard soap opera as he finally has grown a pair and demanded a trade to Brooklyn. Dwight Howard is the opposite of LeBron in every way. LeBron plays with heart and never quits, Dwight plays like he is entitled and feels that he deserves the same latitude and calls that proven champions like Kobe get.

For the past two years Howard has threatened Orlando with wanting out. For the sake of attention and spotlight he has put himself before the team in every way. He constantly complained about a lack of effort while telling anyone who would listen that he wanted out. He complained about his coach—a man considered one of the best in the NBA—and demanded that the coach be fired.

After creating a spectacle that made “The Decision” look like an after-school special he changed his mind and declared that he wanted to be in Orlando and how loyalty was the most important thing to him. Then he quit before the playoffs. I know he had surgery on his back and I assume that it was vital to be done at that time, but not being with the team was a slap in the face.

And now, the second he can, he is demanding a trade, to only one team. And there are rumors, and I stress rumors only, that he wants to sue the Magic for blackmail for forcing him to sign the extension.  

Howard has done everything in his power to make everything around him about him. He doesn’t care about teams, fans or even being a professional. He is a spoiled child in a monster’s body who will never achieve greatness because he is a moral coward who doesn’t know how to sacrifice for a greater purpose.

LeBron made a mistake, yet he has made up for it. Howard has done far worse and deserves tenfold the criticism that LeBron has ever received and yet it seems like there is very little coming his way.

Howard wants a trade, give it to him. Get the best value you can for him and send him to Charlotte or Washington. Get him out of Orlando and create a team that is a team, not a spoiled baby and four men. After this season he will get to the Nets and we can watch with enjoyment as he and his ego destroy yet another team.

You can hit me up on Twitter @matt.f.rogers