When Lebron James finally gets a moment to his self to stop and think its undeniable his stomach begins to hurt a little. Mine hasn't stopped hurting. Something just isn't right, and right or wrong things will never be the same. Last week something happened in sports like nothing before. With a 1 hour special where no actual sporting event went on, The fortunes, futures, and legacies of so many cities and individuals were forever changed.
Not only did a small market city go from championship contender every year to um, well back to Cleveland, a player went from fighting to go down as the best ever to settling on being the best Scottie Pippen ever. Small market cities everywhere realized even more now than ever how big the odds are stacked against them. New York found out that they had sacraficed years of embarrassment for a pipe dream that never had a chance of coming true.
Alot of negatives came out of that horrendous Thursday night. What hurt me the most was seeing an athlete who I and so many others felt had it all, sale his self so short. No longer can you argue Lebron > Kobe. The argument has ceased. The puppets should fade into obscurity just like the late 90's Penny Hardaway puppets. Essentially what Lebron said when we all heard "Next fall I will be taking my talents down to south beach" was "I do not want to be the man. I can't do it myself. I am not Jordan. I'll never be Magic, Larry, or even Tim Duncan for that matter. That's not important to me. If I have to be Pippen to finally win a ring, sign me up." Now far be it for me to pass judgement on someone who just wants to win, but that's not the person who I myself and so many others have gotten to know over the years. "The Chosen One" doesn't apply anymore. Chosen for what? "The King"? Yeah Lebron you were "The King" but how could you even think of being called that anymore?
It doesn't even seem realistic watching Lebron stand on one side of D-Wade with Chris Bosh on the other. Lebron James playing the side role? Wow. Never thought I would see that day. Also theres no excuse in saying everyone has had help that have won titles. Yes they have had help. As did Lebron the last few years. You would be crazy to argue the championship Bulls , Spurs , Pistons, and Heat teams had far and away more talent than the most recent Cavaliers roster. Put M.J., Magic, or Bird on the 09-10 Cavs team and at worst they are losing in the finals. I don't recall Bird and Magic teaming up. Mike and Hakeem? They wouldn't even hug after a game let alone join forces to try and win. Now these guys are hugging during games and teaming up with their rivals for an easier way to succeed. My how the game has changed.
Maybe we should have seen it coming. Anyone who has vividly followed Lebron's career should have always knew something was missing from his game: The Killer Instinct. Do not get me wrong, the man has hit some big shots and made some big plays. Even when he did though at times it felt forced, sort of lucky, not the art we see in Kobe with 10 seconds left. You could always see LBJ did not want the pressure at the end of games. He didn't have the mind state, 'If we're going to lose this game, it's going to be in my hands'. Even when its the right "basketball play" (5 seconds left in a huge game down by 1) would Kobe or M.J ever hit Donyell Marshall in the corner for the last shot? That doesn't even sound right. Lebron just isn't cut from the same cloth as some of the true greats and this post season and "The Decision" really put a stamp on that.
No matter what happens these next 5,6,7,8 (as Lebron was saying about ships in MIA) years in the NBA, one thing is for sure, On July 8Th 2010 the NBA took a big hit and one of their brightest stars signed away the chance at TRUE GREATNESS. I guess there is nothing wrong with being Worthy or Parrish just thought you wanted so much more. Goodbye The Chosen one, The King.
LeBron is a coward!!
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