Miami Heat: Five Things We Learned About LeBron James
As the smoke and the dust settles from Lebron's announcement, as Clevelanders mourn and Heat fans celebrate, there are 5 things that we learned about Lebron these past few days.
1. LEBRON CAN'T WIN ALONE: Unlike other super stars who took their NBA team to titles like; Bird, Magic, Jordan, Lebron's decision was based upon his belief that he couldnt' win the title by himself. Even though he had some decent cast members around him with the CAVS; A. Jamieson, West, MO Williams, Shaq, Verajo and others were enough of a supporting cast for him to have a decent chance to win the NBA title. Lebron's Remember, Lebron, superstars win rings, not chase after them.
2. LEBRON 'S NOT A FOOL: James had this idea of being a part of a supposedly trio of superstars for a long time. Evidence points that as early as the 2008 Olympics, he was making plans to bring these super stars together which would give him a great chance of multiple titles. James made these intentions very clear on Friday night as he listed off the possible number of rings and titles that the Heat could now win.
3. LEBRON IS A YOUNG 25: Being cast into the spotlight since his early years at Akron St. Vincent, St. Mary High School. James has been in the spotlight at a very young age. He has been forced to grow up and handle excess attention, money and fame. For the most part, he has handled himself very well. Ultimately, this past week, he showed not only his age, but his immaturity. It was this that lead to his fall from grace in CLE. No CLE fan blames him for leaving, they are broken hearted due to the WAY he handled himself. He needed to be up front and honest with a owner that did everything possible to keep him and a city that wrapped their heart and hope around him staying in CLE. I really don't believe that Lebron wanted to hurt anyone, I don't believe that he could of perceived the outrage of CLE fans and Gilbert's ill adviced letter. But as most in the sporting world admit, he could of and should of been much more responsible in the handling of the situation, showing his immaturity.
4. LEBRON DOESN'T UNDERSTAND TEAM: Contrary to the tripe of Miami Herald writers, Lebron didn't come to Miami because he's a team player. If Lebron was a team player, he could of went to the Knicks, Nets, or even Clippers who are clearly below average teams and were in the rebuilding mode. If he was truly a team member, he should of easily stayed with CLE, seeing how Gilbert mortgaged the future for Lebron to win now and did his best to assemble FA's to not only keep Lebron, but give him a decent chance of winning titles, hence keeping him a CAV! As late as Tuesday and Wednesday, Gilbert was working hard to get Chris Bosch.
5. LEBRON ULTIMATELY CARES ABOUT LEBRON: What's Lebron's motive to go to Miami? The weather? Riley? Wade? No, Lebron wants titles for his legacy and Miami offered the greatest number of all stars! Some would argue that's why you play the sport-to win titles, absolutely, however, Lebron would of gained a much greater legacy, bringing a title to a city that's title starved and has difficulty attracting FA's compared to warm weather cities. Should he had lead CLE to a title, he would of been listed with the likes of Kobe, Magic and Jordon. Now he'll be seen as part of an all star cast, should Miami actually win a title! Also, Lebron admitted that he didn't play his best during his series with Boston. Most clearly, Lebron cared about Lebron by going along with his own "Decision' announcement on Nat'l TV without phoning Dan Gilbert and a city that for the most part coddled to his every perceived desire. That's the reason for the anger for those who can't seem to understand the Cleveland's rage. The greatest heart break is that the majority of fans in CLE believed that Lebron had a deal brewing with Wade and Bosh for months, evidenced as that reality slipped out of Chris's mouth on Friday's Heat Party. I know, he took a pay cut to go to Miami and Herald writers pointed out his tremendous sacrifice. However, what's a few millions less to a person who has plenty of money and Lebron is probably banking that endorsements, which really are a superstar's real treasure, would easily made up the difference.
These are things we learned about Lebron, but ultimately, Lebron, right or wrong, has yet to grasp the pain he caused CLE CAVS fan. Fans and CAV execs, who put their hope on a homegrown superstar bringing a title to a hurting and title starved town as ESPN correctly pointed out last Friday. Maybe, one day, The King will learn that "Glory is fleeting," and that Miami, while it has South Beach, and much more of the world to offer than the rust belt, declining CLE, does not have the dedicated, passionate fans who embrace their own compared to a city that buys and sells teams and titles. Lebron is now an outcast in his own region, city and area. One day, many years from now, Lebron may learn that there's more to an athlete than going after rings. Loyalty and team does matter, just ask Bob Feller, Micheal Jordon, George Brett and other super stars who stood by their teams and hence won respect and admiration for a life time!!
