LeBron - Hype, Bust, or Truth?

Fresh off the devastating loss for the Cavaliers, and the city of Cleveland, let's get something out first and foremost. Everyone drink a tall glass of STFU!!!

LeBron is not dead, the Celtics won a TEAM game, the Cavs lost, and life will go on - including the REST OF THE NBA PLAYOFFS! I have never been so disgusted with sports tv, and sports talk radio. As Herm Edwards said, "you play to win the game". The championship was not granted to the Cavs, they had to WIN as a TEAM to get it! LeBron did not lose, his team lost. Rondo did not win, his team won. Everyone today has been acting like the game of basketball is now over. It's NOT! Now that everyone is straight on that, and I'm sure plenty of you disagree, let's move forward.

I have heard it all today, and here are a few things I've heard:

1) LeBron quit on his team and his city.
2) LeBron never had what it takes - is lazy, has no work ethic, and is a narcissistic a-hole!
3) LeBron is the most overrated player in the history of the game.
4) LeBron is only worried about himself, and doesn't care about anyone else.

Okay - now that you are done laughing, and you better be laughing at this foolishness, let's get some facts straight:

1) The media hyped LeBron up when he was a junior in high school. He didn't ask for any of this. His coach didn't ask for it, and neither did his mother. ESPN thinks it's cool - just like the world of AAU basketball - to start ranking kids at the age of 8. Whether he liked it or not, he was thrust into the basketball spotlight at the age of 16. He has been named the savior of the financially distraught area of Cleveland, and the championship starved city of Cleveland, since the Cavs effectively threw away their 02/03 season to draft their hometown hero. = FACT! And a disgusting fact at that.

2) The one thing this guy is not, is a quitter. Nobody of that stature quits. I don't care what you say. He wouldn't quit in game 5 to only come out and drop a triple double in game 6. = FACT!

3) LeBron has the work ethic that most of YOU should have! He's never had his name in the news, and the only bad thing you can say about him is that his TEAM has not won a title. That's it! LeBron may not be the best player in the league, but tell me who has stopped him? That makes him the most valuable. Much like vintage Shaq, and current day D. Howard, there is nobody that can match up with him, which makes him dominant. He works his a$$ off, year around, and doesn't deserve that.

4) I've heard the - he was being "it's all about me" last night after the game for shaking hands with the Celtics and the fans. Hmmmm, I wonder if these are the same people who said the same thing last year when he walked off the floor after losing to the Magic withOUT shaking anyone's hand? Remember? It was all about him then, too. You can't have it both ways!

5) To call LeBron a bust is, well, stupid. Put down your crack pipe and seek help! Is he the 2nd coming? Maybe not, but time will tell. He is by far not now, or ever will be, a bust. Remember, his rookie season, with all that hype, he was 1000 times better than Kobe at the same age. If you don't believe me, go ask the Utah Jazz how Kobe performed as a teenager in the playoffs. Two words: air ball.

6) I want everyone who has not seen the movie 'More Than a Game' to go rent it this weekend. No, tonight! This man cares more about his family, friends, teammates, city than he has EVER been given credit for. Hands down!

7) LeBron should only worry about basketball and nothing else. He's a basketball player and needs to stop hanging around people from other industries, sports, etc. If you think this, then here's something for you: I don't want to see your sorry tail doing nothing but working! If you're a UPS driver, I shouldn't see you doing nothing but practicing lifting packages off a truck, honking your horn when putting the truck in gear, and driving down the road like a bat out of hell! Bottom line is this, we all have professions and careers. We also have a life outside of it! Playing basketball is this man's job! It doesn't mean that he can't be involved with anything else, as long as it does not affect his work. If you feel differently, then get a life. This is my blog, you don't have to agree!

Now, I will finish by giving the ideas that I thought LeBron could have done to prevent this:

1) Re-sign with the Cavs before the end of the regular season.

2) Announce last year that this was a one shot deal at winning this thing in Cleveland, and that he is going to be a free agent next year.

That's it! I honestly think that the pressure of EVERYTHING this man has been facing since he was 16 caught up to him. Should he stay or go? Will he be abandoning the people who have been behind him since high school?

Just think about the emotional stress this man has been under with this type of decision! It's more than Jordan, Kobe, or anyone else has EVER been under! Remember, when Jordan had this much emotional stress, he left the game. Granted, it wasn't the same, but just try and live in LeBron's shoes for ONE minute! He's being called everything in the book, and he is the only one who is being held accountable for his TEAM's loss.

Here's the kicker before you call me a LeBron lover, and all that crap. I was rooting for the Celtics. I just know fair when I see it, and the criticism he's getting, isn't it. I'm a product of team sports, and a coach of football and basketball. One thing I preach is this: you're only as good as your weakest link. The Celtics played a team game, and were out coached, and outplayed from the starters through the bench. They won by playing a team game. LeBron had teammates too, and his team didn't win. No more, no less.

Cut the guy some slack.

Peace and Love.