NBA 2010 Preview: LeBron James Needs To Forget About Public Perception and Play

LeBron James remains a hot-topic discussion over recent days in light of him calling his race an issue as to why many people are rooting against him.  LeBron and his inner-circle have pulled out the race card and it is only going to further damage his public image.

Maverick Carter, a high school friend of James, was given the title of CEO of LeBron's marketing campaign.  He has been nothing but a negative impact. 

James is an amazing talent on the court, but he has yet to win a NBA Title.

There are people out there today that now view James as a Villain.  Whether you agree or disagree with the way he left Cleveland it was ultimately his decision.  He was drafted by the Cavs and signed an extension earlier in his career.

Everybody was pointing to the Summer of 2010 as a spectacular moment in sports.  ESPN's announcement of having "The Decision" to promote this moment was a media bonanza.  There were over 12 million viewers watching when James said he was taking his talents to South Beach.

Dan Gilbert fired his general manager Danny Ferry, and his coach Mike Brown who won 60 games back-to-back seasons.  He failed at getting players who would be able to complement LeBron in an attempt to bring a sports title to Cleveland.

The open-letter in the Cleveland Plain Dealer just added fuel to the fire.  Gilbert was upset and angered over LeBron's decision and he had the right to be.  It was just unnecessary to address it in that fashion to the entire world.0

LeBron grew up in Akron and had a spectacular first seven seasons in Cleveland.  Although he was unable to deliver in the postseason, he dedicated himself night in and night out.  Some may argue otherwise the way he faltered against Boston in the playoffs.

That's a different topic of discussion, because there have been various reports and rumors to what went on before Game 4.

Nonetheless, LeBron James decided that it would be in his best interest to play for the Miami Heat.  Pat Riley is the true mastermind of being able to keep his team so far under the cap that signing Bosh, Wade, and James would be actually possible.

Yes they are all taking a little less, but the ultimate goal of this Heat team is to win titles.  There is still plenty of talent in the NBA with teams such as Orlando, Boston, and Los Angeles all waiting to step on the court.

Don't forget Phil Jackson is back in L.A. looking to successfully with three straight NBA Titles for a fourth title.  That would be twelve rings!

LeBron James has played seven seasons and is still in search of his first.  That's why anything and everything he says to the media is going to be looked at under a microscope.  For his sake, he needs to take out all that anger and aggression on the basketball court.

Whether you think it was right or wrong the way he left Cleveland, it is over.  Sure, he is going to get booed and bewildered when he steps into the Q Arena on December 2nd.  It is almost as if James left a knife in the back of Cleveland fans the way he left.

He doesn't realize it and probably won't until years down the road. 

There was so much LeBron coverage in early July that the meetings, discussions, and possible destinations continued to get analyzed and talked about all over the news. When James decided on Miami, he had to have known that there was going to be a lot of hate and destruction aimed towards him. 

He can't control how the public views him.  His number one focus has to be basketball.

This season is going to be unlike any other with the new dynamics in place.  The Miami Heat aren't going to step on the court and win 70 games, but they are going to win a lot of games.

LeBron James needs to let his play do the talking and he needs to forget about what the media is saying about him either way.