LeBron James Miami Heat: 15 Ways King James Can Shut His Haters Up in 2010-11
For months now, you have been hearing about LeBron and how he had messed up with "The Decision," how he had became the most hated man in Cleveland and how he was never going to be considered one of the NBA's greats of all time. Well, we're going to take a look at the flipside of all of this, because there is a good chance at redemption for LeBron this season, and even LeBron may deserve a second chance.
In a recent poll, conducted by CNBC's Darren Rovell, studies showed that only 14 percent of the population viewed LeBron in a positive light (which was a 41.6 percent decrease) while a larger percentage—39 percent—views him in a negative light (which was a 77 percent decline).
These numbers are the obvious reflection of how people view LeBron, after all that has been said and done during the offseason, and the only way for LeBron to gain at least some of that respect back, is to win a championship this year.
I will be giving the top 15 reasons in order of how LeBron can shut up his haters this year, and how LeBron still has a small window of opportunity to redeem himself. Hope you enjoy!
No.15: Show More Game Respect: Even You're Not Bigger than the Game Itself
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Now that LeBron is under the eye of NBA great, Pat Riley, he doesn't have as much leeway as he did in Cleveland.
This means no more posing for the "cameras," corny laughs on the sideline and most importantly, no more fooling around in general. It may sound harsh, but after all LeBron's done, the least he can do is be a little more serious.
If LeBron can show his haters that he can be a more modest person, (which has been his weakest attribute) I guarantee that a lot of people will come to better terms with him, which could potentially give him a boost of confidence.
No. 14: Keep Your Posse Out of Trouble
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I know that LeBron hasn't gotten into any trouble yet, but the keyword is yet. Look, the reality is, that everyone is human and everyone can make mistakes, maybe LeBron has just been lucky enough not to be in that situation.
Kobe's had the hiccup with the girl in Denver, Delonte West has had his gun issues, Vince Young has had his personal issues and if you have to be picky, LeBron decided to not tip after a dinner.
LeBron's Posse has been causing some problems outside of basketball and when you have a group of "friends," representing you, anything can go wrong.
The fact is, LeBron is on a very short leash and any outside distractions won't result in a happy ending. Staying out of trouble will keep some of those haters' mouth shut, not giving another reason to pick on LeBron and his Posse.
No. 13: Accept Your Role as a Team First Type of Guy
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One of the most sought out questions towards the Miami Heat and LeBron is, "Will LeBron be able to accept any type of roll if it means winning a championship?"
Potentially, the biggest problem for the Heat will be finding the rolls for each of the three superstars. All three players were "the man" last year for their respective teams, and it will no doubt be an interesting thing to look out for during the course of the season.
Many analysts believe that D-Wade should be the one to take the last shot, and LeBron should be the facilitator.
Now if this could become reality, this Heat team could win it all, but if it doesn't, it could be the one hole that could tear this team apart.
LeBron needs to accept the reality that he is now playing with two of the top players in the NBA, and it won't be the same scenario, like in Cleveland. No more one-on-five or holding the ball for long periods of time. Honestly, there isn't a reason to and the sooner LeBron realizes this, the better.
LeBron's goal should be to find his roll quickly and to accept it, otherwise, there is no guarantee for this team to win not only this year but for years to come.
No. 12: Don't Quit Or Complain
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If there is one way a player can annoy the *bleep* out of me, it's to constantly complain. Great players never complain, instead they suck it up and find a way to make whatever it may be better.
Now I'm not saying LeBron was the type to complain a lot, but there have been instances where words weren't needed to show complaint.
Let's take a trip back to last year's playoff series between the Cavs and Celtics:
"He quit," Gilbert said. "Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar."
This by now is a quote that is used widely to express how LeBron left his hometown behind. It's fair to say that this really was proof of how even LeBron came to a point where his complaining and frustration turned into giving up.
For LeBron, there is no such thing as quitting or complaining this season. LeBron is in a position where there is no turning back. Injuries will happen and the question is will you take the high or easy way out of things?
LeBron needs to accept the reality that everything won't go as planned. He can't rely on luck to carry him all the way anymore, and if he can accept this reality and still play great, then we can talk about LeBron being among the best ever, but for now, LeBron is a quitter in my book.
No. 11: Average a Triple-Double
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At the end of the day, the team with more points, is declared the winner. Points, rebounds, assists and steals all factor into winning a game. If LeBron can average something close to a triple-double, no one can say anything about him.
You may argue that, it will take more touches just to LeBron for this to happen, but we all know that LeBron is very capable of averaging a triple-double, and it will help LeBron tremendously get back to being the LeBron that "everyone" loved.
It may be as simple as scoring, rebounding and passing for LeBron this season, but nonetheless, it will be another way for LeBron to get his reputation back.
No. 10: Get Back to the Basics
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For someone like LeBron, it could be as simple as getting back to playing the game of basketball. With all the craziness mixed in with hype, LeBron just needs to get back to shooting, rebounding and passing the ball.
If LeBron can play with the same passion and fire as he did when he was back in high school and back when he was just a rookie in Cleveland, many people may start to feel some sympathy for LeBron.
This season should be a fresh start for LeBron to get back to enjoying the game he loves.
No. 9: Keep Helping Out in the Community
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LeBron has been known to give a hand or two in the Akron Community, and it has given him a tremendous amount of respect.
Moving towns should be another great opportunity to show people out there that it's not all about the game but what you leave behind as a person.
I'm guessing LeBron has already started on some projects in South Beach, so we will just have to wait and see if this type of attitude holds up, but if it does, kudos to him.
There really isn't anything better than acting outside of the court. People will respect a person even more, and right now, LeBron could use any good rep' to help him boost his popularity.
No. 8: Refine Your Skills
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Even the NBA's greats have room to improve. That is why Kobe, Dwight and many others are continuing to try and make themselves even better day-in-and-day-out.
I'm not saying that LeBron needs drastic changes in any part of his game, but when you are considered one of the best in the NBA, you have to perform at a high level every game.
What I'm saying is, it wouldn't hurt for LeBron to add to his arsenal of moves and maybe even add that signature move that every player has. Don't look at me wrong; it's just a mere suggestion.
For LeBron to gain more respect, he needs to continue to improve his game everyday, especially when nobody is watching. At the end of the day, people will begin to notice who's been working and who hasn't. Michael did it. Kobe did it. Why not LeBron?
No. 7: Make His Teammates Better
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The best way to gain respect and to minimize the haters is to make not only yourself look good but make others around you look good too.
With the spotlight on the Heat, the "Big Three" won't be the only ones with the eyes on them. The rest of the Heat will also have a lot of pressure on them.
If LeBron can manage to make his new teammates look good, the naturally good publicity will come.
No. 6: Win His Third MVP Award
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It would be an utter punch to Kevin Durant's face this year if LeBron three-peats in the MVP category. There haven't been many back-to-back-to-back MVP Awards. It could be another huge way to shut up all his haters. Yes, it is merely a popularity vote (which isn't in LeBron's favor), but when Sportscenter is also the 24/7 LeBron network, you never know. LeBron could potentially be in that small class of recipients.
No. 5: Win the East
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The ultimate goal for the Heat is to win it all, but in order to get there, they have to first win the tough Eastern Conference.
Winning the East this year will be as hard as it's ever been. The addition of John Wall in Washington, the newly added Carlos Boozer in Chicago, Dwight and his Magic and of course the very dangerous Boston Celtics, who also added veteran Shaquille O'Neal, aka Big Shamrock.
If LeBron and the Heat win the East, that will be a huge step in gaining the respect of not only the league but the tough NBA fans.
No. 4: Find a Middle Ground with the People of Cleveland, Ohio
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The past is the past and the future is the future. Learn from your past and make your future better. One of the biggest challenges for LeBron this season will be to forget his past and focus on the present.
As you can see, there is no going back for LeBron, which in some ways will work in his favor. When there is nothing to go back to, one tends to face forward and make a complete turn around.
LeBron needs to accept what happened and learn from his mistakes. This would show great maturity and great courage to accomplish this big a task, but it must be done.
The easiest way to do this would be to apologize to the city of Cleveland, Ohio, and to try and come to terms with his former fans. LeBron may never win back his Cleveland fans, but he can admit to doing something wrong.
No. 3: Be Real
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After "The Decision," we may have had a peek into the REAL LeBron, but you just can't purely judge a person on one incident—even an incident as crazy as that.
LeBron needs to prove to us NBA fans that he really is the humble, modest kid from Akron, Ohio, who is misunderstood.
The haters will be looking for LeBron to make himself look worse than he already does. LeBron needs to at least say and do the right things in order to be considered a good person, which is crucial when having good publicity.
No. 2: Finish Out the Season and Think in the Long Term
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Setting aside all emotion, this season will actually come down to the bonding of these core group of guys (LeBron, Wade, Bosh). Yes, they are one of the favorites heading into this season, but in reality, it would be a huge surprise if they won it all in their first season together.
There are reasons for having contracts; they give time for players to show all they can do in those years. If there is one thing Wade, LeBron and Bosh have, it's time.
It might seem as though everyone expects them to win right away, but it usually doesn't work that way. The way I look at it is it would be a good accomplishment if the Heat survive the season without having any major personal problems within the team—because no one is denying their potential—which tells us that they should win sometime in their long respective stays in South Beach.
Sounds contradictingconsidering most people are expecting LeBron and the Heat to win the first year, but it may show some of his haters that LeBron can be a "big man" and think about the long term. Kobe and the Lakers won't be the best forever, and the Heat are the favorable runner-ups, so it wouldn't be a total loss to just see how the season ends up.
LeBron's goal should be in this order; 1.) Win championships 2.) Get along with his teammates. It may seem simple, but in the long run, chemistry is always the key to winning championships.
No. 1: Live Up to the Hype and Win It All
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We are down to the final and biggest way to shut the mouths of all the LeBron haters. The only way to truly silence the haters is to win a championship—and better yet, in his first year with the Heat.
This is no doubt a true test for LeBron this season, and his ultimate goal is to obviously win it all. Everyone has questioned LeBron's legacy—due to his lack in championships—and winning would forever silence the crowd.
Coming in as one of the favorites, LeBron and the Miami Heat will have to meet very high standards, and they will have to win it all to live up to all of the offseason hype.
I can just see LeBron biting on his nails right now. I don't blame him though; I mean the whole world's basically watching, are you?
