LeBron's Nike Commercial: Truth or Just Another Attack on Cleveland Fans?

LeBron James' new Nike commercial has drawn tons of criticism from fans around the country.  But the real question remains, is he right?

LeBron faced tons of adversity and hate from Cleveland fans after his nationally televised "Decision" early this summer.  After this decision James received hate mail and even a few death threats from Cleveland fans while fans in South Beach rejoiced over the choice to come to Miami.  LeBron jerseys were burned, posters were taken down, murals removed and LeBron became a phantom memory in the city of Cleveland. 

In the commercial James begins by saying "Should I admit that I made mistakes?  Should I remind you that I did this before?"  James received this same criticism when he declared that he was going to enter the NBA draft straight out of high school rather than playing in college.  People said that he wasn't ready, he was to young, he shouldn't be making these decisions.  Truth is it worked.  LeBron has transformed into one of the greatest players in the league today. 

James then goes on to say "Should I really believe that I ruined my legacy?"  No he shouldn't.  James is still going to be an all-star and at the end of the year will still be in the MVP talks.  If anything LeBron has the opportunity to improve his legacy with the move to Miami.  He has a better chance to win a championship with the team in Miami than he ever had in Cleveland.  Champions are remembered, and therefore LeBron could go down as a champion, rather than the superstar who always came up short.   

"Should I tell you I am not a role model?"  Fans believe that James is a bad role model for kids by acting cocky and putting himself in the national spotlight.  But who is a real role model anymore these days?  Every super star athlete has had at least one bump in the road along the way.  Kobe had the hotel incident, there are steroids in baseball, excessive celebrations and cocky attitudes in football.  So, who is considered a "good role model" anymore today?

"Should I be who you want me to be?"  LeBron is following his own path.  He is going the direction that he wants his career to go.  How would he ever be successful if he did what the fans wanted him to do.  Ask any athlete what their goal is in sports.  Ninty-nine percent of athletes will tell you they want to win.  LeBron realized that he had a better chance to win in Miami than in Cleveland and therefore decided to sign with the Heat.  He is not a money chaser just looking for money and fame.  He is in it to win it.

The commercial goes through a few more shots including James depicting a vilian, reading poems, clearing the deck and starting over, and closes out by repeating, "Should I be who you want me to be?"

I completely agree with LeBron here.  All he did was change teams.  He did not intentionally ditch the Cavs.  He is not a quitter or a traitor.  He is not in it for the money.  He is in it to win. 

Cleveland fans just don't seem to realize that their team was not a championship caliber team, even with LeBron in the lineup.  Give the guy a break.  Few athletes have faced more adversity in the past year than LeBron.  So the guy let out some stress in a new commercial.  Big deal.  He is still one of the best players in the NBA and he should be given credit for handling this adversity as well as he has. 

One commercial does not mean that he is lashing out at Cleveland.  He has embraced the hatred and he has moved on with his career.  LeBron deserves credit for how he has handled this situation, not criticism.