There is always a villain and scoundrel within our society we disdain, whether it regards a decision or deceitfulness, despised for all the senseless wrongdoing and publicly humiliating an entire town. Every story in sports media has surrounded LeBron James, once known as the adorable hero, is now known as the scornful villain, perhaps the most hated sports figure in sports history.
With all the hostility in Cleveland, the former town in which he transformed the landscape the last seven years, won’t ever forgive or accept James for fleeing the Cleveland Cavaliers to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.
The truth is that he’s dislike ever since plotting his “Decision” spectacle, a one-hour reality show that exposed anger, nonsense and suddenly became the most over-hyped and narcissistic drama in the history of television. But the world anxiously glanced at the nearest television screens and gathered in the local sports bars as if they were viewing a traditionally sporting event, when it was only James announcing to the nation that he will join the stars in Miami.
The irony of the surreal transition as oppose to his announcement on airwaves is that he’s misconstrued for subjugating his extensive ego, sacrificing the favorable circumstances of emerging as the unprecedented star in Cleveland, and lastly, relinquished his admirable legacy. And you hate him.
Why?
Whenever a powerful athlete is an unselfish teammate and willing to form an efficient trio, he’s placing the magnitude of winning above global popularity and legacy. In reality, he chose what suited LeBron. He chose what benefited LeBron. He chose to leave home and shattered the hearts of fans for the welfare of winning, but of course, the Cleveland fans are bitter and believes he betrayed them all.
As badly as the divorce ended abruptly, from the rants on the local radio stations, the blatant letter that raging owner Dan Gilbert wrote, to the inane remarks publicly heard ripping LeBron of his independent choice, he wasn’t sorely distraught but ready to move on with the Heat. The amount of anger and the bitterness is almost shocking, simply for what James brought to a depressing site and accomplished in a seven-year stint as a member of the Cavs.
By leaving, he’s portrayed as a coward and traitor and won’t ever attain the claim as greatest all-time. So apparently, he’s not egotistic or concern with grabbing the spotlight as a global superstar. The most interesting thing amid all the peculiar fuss is he’s tormented with insults, all because he desires winning a championship and relish triumphs.
By all standards, he was the coveted free agent and had availability to negotiate with at least five franchises that expressed strong interest before he chose the Heat, after bringing aboard the two-most coveted free agents of the summer. It instantly refines the Heat as primary contenders in the Eastern Conference, easily forming a legitimate threat in pro basketball.
Before he joined the all-time super-team in NBA history, he ruled as the savior in a despairing town and was deeply embraced. Now, he’s suddenly the disloyal pariah in Northeast Ohio, scorned for “cowardly betrayal” and turning against hometown supporters, including a childish executive to amalgamate with productive reinforcements and contend for the gleaming hardware.
The heartbreaking mood, obviously, is felt in Cleveland, a raging town that has withstood the trauma and affliction. Ever since he developed onto the NBA stage as the “Chosen One” and top high school prospect following his departure from high school, a helpless city were reminded constantly about The Shot, The Drive, The Fumble, and now the Decision.
Or is that the “Cowardly Betrayal?” It’s almost a disgrace when disgruntled fans burn jerseys, clearly forgetting that he rose the city out of misery and adverse with all the singular exploits and represented the state as a world-class symbol in sports.
It’s almost juvenile when crude Cavs owner Gilbert was bitter, vindictive, and very unprofessional, mishandling a situation with shame and adding potential corruption within franchise free agents in the near future that may think carefully before considering signing a deal. He acknowledged that James quit on the Cavs. If so, why was he ready to re-sign him to the richer deal, worth $30 million more than the one offered to him in Miami?
What are more striking are his disturbing and infamous quotes.
“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE. You can take it to the bank.”
He cannot be serious…Doesn’t he realize the Heat congregated the most captivating trio in the history of the NBA? Doesn’t he realize Heat’s owner Mickey Airson and president Pat Riley has more self-control and grace? Doesn’t he realize the Heat strengthened a prolific franchise during a masterminded rebuilding mode? I’m sure he does now.
Either way, James is a fallen star, the most hated enemy in sports. Every way, he has fell from grace viewed as an egotistical and overbearing traitor and risked his leadership, legacy, and popularity for a championship. How is he overbearing or egotistic when he basically sacrificed his stardom?
That’s something to think about.
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