The NBA postseason is the time when LeBron James shines brightest. As good as he is in the regular season, Playoff LeBron is on another level, one that no one else can match. Whatever the matchup, LeBron James is always the best player on the court. However, the postseason is also the time for LeBron haters to come out of the woodwork to castigate The King. Unfortunately for these detractors, I have a news flash: You’re not real basketball fans.
To be clear, it’s not that you must root for LeBron; fans have allegiances, and you should enjoy rooting for your team, whoever that is. You can even be annoyed by LeBron James and swear at him on the television as he smashes your Finals hopes (looking at you, Toronto Raptors fans). However, to hate and consistently disparage LeBron James shows either a lack of understanding or willful ignorance about the game of basketball. LeBron James is a historically great player, in the conversation with Michael Jordan for the greatest of all-time. Even among today’s NBA elite, he’s the best, making plays on a nightly basis that beggar belief. Watching him play is a privilege, as he is an unguardable, unstoppable force even 15 years into his career. James makes playing basketball a work of art. That’s truly special, and any real basketball fan has to appreciate and respect that.
LeBron haters also fail to understand a key facet of his greatness, one that anyone with a passion for the game should value: his ability to make his teammates better. There have been other players who have been better pure scorers or pure rebounders; what makes James so special is that he is the complete player. Anyone he’s been with talks about how he improves the play of his teammates, and it shows on the stat line. He regularly reaches double figures in not only points, but also assists and rebounds as well. LeBron is the center of attention on the court, and rightfully so. However, he includes his teammates and tries to make his team better, all in an effort to go for the team victory. Unlike some players, he isn’t out there trying to collect stats for himself at the team’s expense, and fans should enjoy watching that style of play.
Finally, a real basketball fan should respect LeBron because he’s a classy player who goes about things the right way. He’s not a dirty player, he doesn’t take cheap shots, and he takes responsibility when things go wrong. LeBron plays hard and pushes himself. For all the media circus that surrounds him, he stays disciplined. This maturity is especially impressive considering LeBron been dealing with this media attention since his teenage years. That’s no small feat, and with the one exception of his handling of the departure from Cleveland (which he himself has conceded was poorly handled), he carries himself as an American icon should. Does he have an ego? Sure. In the NBA, that’s a given, and he’s more than earned the praise he receives.
LeBron James is a great basketball player, one who is fun to watch. Root against him, be angry with him for beating your team--both are fine. However, appreciate the greatness in front of you because as James himself is acutely aware, he won’t be around forever. Skill is skill, and real fans respect it when they see it. To the LeBron haters out there, I feel bad for you. You’re missing the opportunity to sit back and appreciate the transcendence of an all-time great, and it’s just petty. I hope you straighten out, but if not, it’s your loss.
コメント