Lay Off LeBron: The Sports Media Needs To Examine Its Conscience

It was probably the worst night of LeBron James' professional career.

After a season in which his Cleveland Cavilers were almost unbeaten at home, breezed through the first two rounds of the playoffs, and presented themselves as legitimate NBA Finals contenders, it all blew up in the king's face.

He was beaten by Dwight Howard and his cocky-but-cool band of basketball players in a series characterized by stylish play, but very little excitement.

And so, after a season that began with promise and high expectations, James failed to deliver a trip to the finals for the championship-starved city of Cleveland.

When so much weight is put a person's shoulders to deliver what both the fans and media expect, it's a pretty painful feeling to realize they've come up short.

Therefore, I don't blame James for skipping out on the media on Saturday night following the Cavs' loss.

While sitting down and answering tough questions may have been the moral and polite thing to do, maybe he was just too stunned to sit and face the scrutiny of the media at that moment.

Even if he did volunteer a few minutes of his time, did they honestly think he would eloquently discuss his shortcomings when all that was on his mind was his failure to produce?

At best, all James would have given reporters as far as quotes would have been the same tired cliches such as, "I wasn't my best tonight, and the better team won."

So, why is the media beating up on for not taking the time to address his failures right after the game?

Cut him some slack.

James was obviously saddened by his failure to lead his team to the NBA Finals, and answering a bunch of obvious questions about his failures would just make him feel worse.

That's not to say he does not owe the media and fans an explanation down the road. James may have feelings and a right to privacy, but he's also the face of the franchise and should, at the very least, give an explanation to those who support him and pay his salary.

The bottom line here is that James didn't have to face the media right after the game, but sooner or later he will owe them some articulation on his inability to lead the Cavs to the finals after a season of such high hopes.

Maybe next year, Cleveland.