I thought I’d hate LeBron. Turns out I’m feeling sorry for him
Okay, I surrender. I have no idea what it is LeBron James is trying to do. (AP photo)
I thought this would be easy, pulling against LeBron James. Eleven months ago I’d worked up a disdain I figured would carry me through 2011 and probably 2021. But here Miami is, playing for the NBA title, and I have a confession:
I’m actually starting to feel sorry for LeBron.
He’s the best player in the world. He’s on the sport’s biggest stage. He’s hiding in the corner.
He scored 17 points in Game 3 of the NBA finals, which prompted Gregg Doyel of CBS Sports to dub him an “incredibly shrinking superstar.” Bristling at a Doyel question, James took pains to extol the virtues of all-around excellence, and in his defense he did feed Chris Bosh for the jumper that won Game 3, and when your team wins you can say whatever you want.
There can, however, be no defending Game 4. James scored eight points, a personal playoff low. He took one fourth-quarter shot. The Heat blew a sizable lead for the second time in three games, and suddenly the Legion of Superheroes doesn’t look super or heroic — it looks like a hugely gifted team that doesn’t know what to do.
Check that. Dwyane Wade knows. He was supposed to be the Boy Wonder to LeBron’s Caped Crusader, but in the finals Wade has averaged 29.8 points to James’ 17.3. Even Bosh, always regarded as the least of the Big Three, has outscored James in this series.
That’s correct. The best player in the world has become the third-leading scorer on his team.
Eleven months ago, I’d have sworn typing such a sentence would fill me with glee. That’s how frosted I was over “The Decision” — that programming monstrosity foisted on us by LeBron and ESPN. It was the utter height of hubris, and in one stage-managed hour I went from liking James to hoping he never wins anything ever.
But time has, as time will, softened my outrage. “The Decision” was a grievous mistake. NBA commissioner David Stern said so. Even ESPN’s ombudsman said so. But I’d been a LeBron fan since I saw him play for St. Vincent-St. Mary High in Greensboro on Martin Luther King Day 2003, and as these playoffs have unfolded I’ve started to think it might not be the worst thing in the world if he gets his title.
Through 3 1/2 quarters of Game 4, that long-sought championship — the very reason for “The Decision” to leave Cleveland in the lurch — seemed very near. (Earlier that day, James had told reporters he was “starting to taste” a title.) Only thing was, the Decider was having little to do with it. The ball was going to Wade on every trip, and he was operating as if he’d become LeBron James surrounded by lesser Cavaliers.
That part about standing in the corner? I mean it literally. James stationed himself — I say that because I can’t imagine this was an Erik Spoelstra ploy — 25 feet from the goal. And stood there. In the infamous Game 5 against Boston last season, James was criticized by Cavs fans for not shooting. This time he barely moved.
Why would the world’s best player decide not to try very hard? Was he afraid of rankling Wade? If so, what was that blather about uniting with players of similar ability for the greater good? Was LeBron scared of the moment? If so, why would the greatest amalgam of speed, strength and skill in the history of the sport be scared of any moment?
A conspicuously ailing Dirk Nowitzki scored 10 points in the fourth quarter of Game 4. An apparently healthy LeBron James has scored nine fourth-quarter points this series. The guy who wanted out of Cleveland because his supporting cast wasn’t good enough is standing around admiring D-Wade’s work. I’m confused by this startling development — heck, everybody is — and I’m also confused by my response to it.
I thought it’d be amusing to see LeBron lose, but I don’t want him to lose like this. If Nowitzki and the Mavericks outplay him and the Heat straight-up, so be it. But this way feels wrong. It’s as if King James has, on the morning of his coronation, chosen to abdicate the throne.
By Mark Bradley
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145 comments Add your comment
PlusSizeModel
June 8th, 2011
9:56 pm
I really want to know why LJ isn’t grabbing 15 boards a game, at least. That is a gauge of desire for a guy as big as him, and he doesn’t seem to have any.
welikebaseball2
June 8th, 2011
10:00 pm
Oh boo-hoo-hoo. Poor, poor cocky LeBron. Whatever. He lost a shot at my sympathy after “The Decision.” If that didin’t do it, he would have lost it with the overtop celebratory antics throughout the playoffs.
Chris
June 8th, 2011
10:01 pm
I’m sorry Mark… But I’m enjoying every minute of this. He stuck his foot in his mouth with his “Holier than thou” attitude and alienated millions of fans. Now he is getting his just rewards.
I thought I’d hate LeBron. Turns out I’m feeling sorry for him – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Hate.info
June 8th, 2011
10:20 pm
[...] I thought I'd hate LeBron. Turns out I'm feeling sorry for himAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Okay, I surrender. I have no idea what it is LeBron James is trying to do. (AP photo) I thought this would be easy, pulling against LeBron James. Eleven months ago I'd worked up a disdain I figured would carry me through 2011 and probably 2021. …LeBron James: The LeChoke America Loves to Hate Is Back and Better Than EverBleacher ReportCommentary: You're the poster child for American sports' illsMarketWatchHow the Miami Heat Have Redefined HateSports CentralESPN (blog) -Yahoo! Sports (blog) -dagblog (blog)all 723 news articles » [...]
Just Me
June 9th, 2011
12:00 am
I hear DAMON EVANS needs some LOVE too!!
Mark do you want to jump on that Bandwagon too?
Referee wrath against LeBron James? – Chicago Sun-Times | Miami Heat Champions
June 9th, 2011
1:01 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
scottbravesfan
June 9th, 2011
2:56 am
I don’t feel sorry for millionaires. I feel sorry for that kid who plays the outfield for Georgia who was paralyzed diving for a catch. I don’t feel bad for Lebron James who has pretty much had the world telling him how awesome he is since he was in 7th grade.
NCBravesFan
June 9th, 2011
5:52 am
Mark: like you, my anger toward LBJ has softened somewhat in the months since “the Decision was proclaimed from on high throughout the land.” However, I still hope that Dirk, Jason Terry and the Mavs are able to win this series and get THEIR rings.
LeBron? Not so much.
joe
June 9th, 2011
6:13 am
sorry. it’s hard to like( or feel soory for) a guy that does a pre game picture taking gimick with his team or that does the “powder thrown in the air” thing at the scorers table. Great athelete, still don’t like him……
Hard Dawg
June 9th, 2011
7:07 am
http://www.ajc.com/sports/uga/johnathan-taylor-drafted-in-971347.html
Got class?
The Rangers do. Anything Nolan Ryan heads up is a classy thing.
RossAlacqua
June 9th, 2011
7:47 am
Lebron James asked for all this attention himself. He wanted all of this. He’s now getting what he wanted so why do you feel sorry for him?
GT
June 9th, 2011
8:04 am
You are setting us up. When he explodes in game five in Miami or game seven you have got your story. Compare these games to others and his trips to the line have been very few. Feels like a set up by the NBA for their number one jersey seller.
ATLien
June 9th, 2011
8:36 am
Dirk deserves it more than Lebron.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 9th, 2011
8:46 am
His failure in the playoffs or at least the finals so far, reminds you of his last playoff for the Cleveland team. Now that makes the hate he received from that team for supposedly taking off in the play offs kind of suspect doesn’t it?
He is not the only superstar to not perform well at the big show in sports. I thought that the Braves would have won more than 1 world title with all the east crowns they won, and it never happened. That’s just the way sports team and players sometimes do. I thought he made a good move leaving Cleveland as it is like comparing 1 dollar to a million in respect to where the best place to call home is. He will need the support of all of his team mates to get a piece of the crown, and it appears they aren’t exactly burning up the floor either. Maybe it is just time for Cuban to get some of his money back that he has paid the NBA for his loose lips now.
DP
June 9th, 2011
9:08 am
Bradley, you sure have gone soft. LeBron quits on Cleveland in the playoffs last year, gives us “The Decision” and press conference with Wade & Bosh spectacles, disses Cleveland this year and you feel sorry for him? He’s made me do something I didn’t think I’d ever do, pull for a Mark Cuban team.
I’m getting a kick out of LeBron running his mouth pre-game to his teammates like he’s the leader and then shrinking up on the court while Wade takes over.
blue
June 9th, 2011
9:15 am
“I’m taking my talents to Souf Beach”
Josh (not Smith)
June 9th, 2011
9:20 am
I think LeBron flaked out after game 3 when he realized that if he wins a title this year, it’ll be on D-Wade’s coattails. Wade has always been clutch in a way that BronBron wasn’t, and it’s gotta rankle “The Chosen One.” (And yes, he should get that tattoo removed.)
I see three explanations for LeBron’s performance in Game 4: 1) He realized that “HE” wasn’t going to win (because he’s second fiddle to Wade), and he checked out mentally, just like game 5 last year; 2) He can’t deal with being second-fiddle, so he mailed it in for a game so he can take over the rest of the series; 3) He’s just worn out. Frankly, I hope it’s #3, but everything I’ve read in the past year about LeBron as a person has not made him look good.
LeBron is a physical freak, but he’ll never have the mental toughness of a Jordan, a Bird, or even that of his own teammate, Wade.
Boom Dizzle
June 9th, 2011
9:32 am
How can you possibly feel sorry for LeFraud “I’m Taking My Talents to South Beach” James?
The man joined up with 2 other all stars to make himself win, blamed his Cleveland teammates for his disappearances and mentally checks out in the Finals……WHO DOES THAT??
Joe Johnson says that’s terrible….
George P Burdell NE
June 9th, 2011
9:39 am
Looking at LeBron’s performance during this series and reflecting back on his performance in the playoffs last year, in my opinion, a drug test is in order.
ASHCAN.
June 9th, 2011
10:21 am
I see all the haters have checked in,when miami hold up there 3rd or 4th trophy,yall hatred will turn into murder.I don’t even like miami,but why all the simple bashing? At the end of the day,pay day will still be there for james,trophies will still be in reach.I guess people love to hate people for no reason.
BR
June 9th, 2011
10:34 am
Nobody seems to care that he is being defended by the player with the 67th best player efficiency rating of all time and four time all-star named Shawn Marion. Nobody cares that Rick Carlilse is proving why he won 50 games with Chucky Atkins, Cliff Robinson, and Corliss Williamson as his big three.
Maybe Dallas (with great coaching and a healthy line-up) as is Atlanta (too bad Larry Drew who looks half-way special ed on the side-line hasn’t been fired yet), Boston, or OKC are all much better teams than Miami or Chicago because they have 7 – 8 guys who could start on rosters on their team instead of two superstars, 1 star, and the rest hot garbage like Miami and Chicago.
Maybe Championships are a team stat and not an individual one, which is why Jordan didn’t win a ring until the 90s, and Atlanta just couldn’t get past Boston when we had one of the most dominant individuals of an era that got traded to the Clippers by Lenny Wilkins.
Maybe Dallas wins the second half of this series(minus game 1) because they are a better team with a Coach that makes better mid-game adjustments.
aquaking
June 9th, 2011
10:34 am
he is the one who said “look at me” with his Decision. I feel nothing but spite for him
ds21
June 9th, 2011
10:37 am
You feel sorry for Lebron James? You, sir, are a fool.
BR
June 9th, 2011
10:47 am
Shawn Marion, based on stats, has a better chance than Glenn Rice, Horice Grant, or Bill Laimbeer of making the hall fame. That’s like knocking Malone for getting locked down by Rodman or Paul Pierce for always having bad offensive games against Lebron James, even though he makes up for it on the other end.
It’s a good series matchup proving that the last 8 title winners have had 6 – 8 NBA starters on their Roster.
Vic
June 9th, 2011
10:55 am
I can’t possibly feel sorry for him. After all the posturing and posing the Heat have been doing, you’d think it was a series sweep. Even if they lose the series, he’ll have at least a few chances to go back. This may be Dallas’ last opportunity for a while as they are an older team and their main players don’t have as much left in their careers.
If Dallas would hit more of their open shots, this series would be over. They are making unnecessary turnovers and missing open shots that they normally hit. The entire Miami fanbase nearly soiled themselves as Dirk put up that last second shot in game 3. They were as relieved as much as I was surprised that he missed. I have no sympathy for lebron.
MICHAEL JORDAN
June 9th, 2011
11:04 am
Just Sitting here smoking a stogey looking at my 6 RINGS oh and by
the way I got 6 MVP FINALS Awards. Lebron go play in the corner
Tell Like It Is
June 9th, 2011
11:05 am
Let met me get this right. Lebron is a millionaire playing a game that he loves while living in South Beach and you feel sorry for him because he failed to perform in one game. Go figure. Haters never fail to amaze. LOL!!!
Bill
June 9th, 2011
11:30 am
James gets his money’s worth..will cry no more for him……….
Mindy
June 9th, 2011
11:42 am
Mark get real. You hate anyone younger, better looking, and more affluent than you. Maybe, if you wish upon a star, you can wake up and be 17 again. You’ll still be a talentless hack; but at least you’ll be a 17 year old talentless hack!!
Mindy
June 9th, 2011
11:50 am
he is the one who said “look at me” with his Decision. I feel nothing but
spiteenvy for himThere! Fixed your typo for ya!!
Bootsie
June 9th, 2011
11:57 am
I just wish LeBron’s ego would allow him to follow through on all the hype he did last year about playing with other excellent teammates. And I wish he would keep his disgusting mouthpiece in his mouth. Such a baby. He did not realize he would miss being Mr. One and Only.
Rose Mason
June 9th, 2011
12:08 pm
No Kobe. No Lakers. I am NOT watching.
I don’t feel sorry for LaBron.
MJ vs King James. Yeah. Right.
Not in this life. !!!!!
ASHCAN.
June 9th, 2011
12:22 pm
@BR,assumptions maybe’s and opinions are not facts.Dallas and crew are more polished(core players being together 5-6 years)than miami but not better.People seem to forget it don’t matter how many good or great players you have on your team you still have to gel together and learn a new system.Only a few spoke of miami getting to were they are now and most people said they couldn’t.If dallas was better then why are they struggling to beat a team(miami)that just come together the FIRST YEAR? I know, Everyone thought just because this dallas team man handled the lakers that it would be a breeze in the finals.So when/if miami win,does that mean labron james will be hated more? greatness comes in time(Playing together more than one season) not one game one series or one season.Im sure this miami team will be better next year than this year and ect….Miami in 7.
Tee
June 9th, 2011
12:38 pm
So when the Heat win I want all you haters to eat CROW !!!! YOU MARK !!
Judgement Day for LeBron James – SLAM Online | The Basketball Site
June 9th, 2011
2:11 pm
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indianman
June 9th, 2011
3:07 pm
i hope dallas win the nba championship because the nba and abc and espn sports want the miami heat to the title
Elois Mahle
June 9th, 2011
6:49 pm
I don’t get why everyone thinks Miam is just gonna run away with this. The series is tied and all the games have ended with single-digit victories. Just saying, Dallas found a way to win game 4 when Dirk was sick and was absolutely not playing to his full potential. Whatever happens, it’s been one hell of a series.
BR
June 9th, 2011
8:30 pm
ASHCAN
I’m no Lebron hater. I’m a guy that says (as I’ve said earlier in this blogs conversation) that too much heat is being placed in the players lap in this series. Rick Carlilse is not getting enough credit, and Spo’s horrible decisions in this series have been the same.
Miami’s team is not deep, point blank. In a playoff setting, teams play match-ups and the brackets determine the championship as much as the teams playing.
Did the heat benefit from playing a phili team that they dominated all season and can be described as a mini-me/not as good version of themselves (3 great players surrounded by scrubs and players in development)? Yes. Did the heat benefit from the Perkins trade destroying team chemistry in Boston and Rondo having a dislocated elbow? Yes. Did they also benefit from playing another NBA team much like themselves that had three great NBA players and 2 scrubs that happen to be in the starting rotation [I place Deng in the scrubs club because if Drew started the line up he should (hinrich/ Johnson/ Smith/ Horford/ Zaza), Deng wouldn't start for the Hawks] and a bench with no contributors? Yes. The first team they would face with great coaching that was healthy is coming from the west.
I’m calling a Dallas win. The collection of players help. The coaching is excellent. Rick Carlilse and Dirk should be awarded Joint MVP of the series, because they are making Spo look stupid with mid-game adjustments.
Why is Dallas winning the second quarter through the end of each game(except game 1)? Why shift to a zone when Mike Miller is off the floor? Why match Shawn Marion on Lebron or Chandler on Bosh? Maybe Wade is going off because they are allowing Wade to go off (much like Boston allowed Jordan to go off) so that they can shut everybody else down? Maybe you let Bosh get a rhythm because you know that in the history of the game, there has never been a big that could close a series out on the offensive end (Dirk might change that) and you know he is soft and eventually Chandler(known as a dirty player) will get into his head?
Maybe this is Rick Carlilse moment. The moment that Larry Brown stole from him in Detroit, the moment that he thought he would build in Indi, and that he has slowly recruited and built (2 starting/1HOF pg, 2 starting/6time allstar SF, 2 starting/1 2-team all-defensive team centers, 1 super star/HOF foward, 1 starting/#8 on the all-time 3pt made sg.
This is Rick’s Moment and Miami just happens to be on the receiving end. Three HOF players in their prime cant win against such a mighty foe. Jordan/Pippen and Wilkins/Malone taught us that lesson in the 80s.
BR
June 9th, 2011
8:38 pm
If you look at the matchups ASHCAN, there is no way you can say more than the Heat have 2 players much better than their individual matchups. Is Mario Chalmbers better than Jason Terry or Barea? No. Is Bosh/Haslem or Anthony better than Dirk? No. Is Anthony better than Chandler? No. Wade is better than Kid. Lebron is better than Marion. We won’t even mention the bench of Dallas compared to the bench of Miami. If Dallas had Butler it wouldn’t be close. You’re lucky B.H. is on the bench with a hip injury.
Teams with brackets weaker than them win rings. It’s that simple. It’s why Dallas is in the finals and not Memphis. Miami has finally found the bracket they should be afraid of.
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Gee
June 11th, 2011
12:26 pm
All LeBron needs to do is play the game and everything will take care of itself. It’s not that Miami is not in these games, as a matter of fact they are leading into most of the quarters, but they just need to finish up the fourth quarter and they will be okay. Miami Heat is a better team, they just need to finish up the fourth quarter. I’m pretty sure they heard it all before, this team needs to forget about the nonsense and focus on the prize.
the truth...
June 13th, 2011
10:35 am
…are you kidding????
I am so pleased to see such an arrogant person as Lebron go down in flames. If he were not such a self-promoter and infatuated with his greatness I would feel differently….
So here he is….the great King James down in flames….couldn’t happen to a bigger smuck…