Public Enemy Number 1


Lebron James used to be somebody that inspired me. It feels like just yesterday, he was playing St Vincent - St Mary High School and was a phenomenon. I recollect feeling that the hype had to be unwarranted. I had seen far too many Ndubi Ebi's and Jonathan Bender's to just accept praises like "He's the next MJ" or "He's the next Magic". I tracked his accolades online and I was more than excited when I found out one of his games would be on national television. I was apprehensive initially and then I saw him play. As a senior, he looked like a 30-year old man already. He was strong, powerful and quick; a young Karl Malone but more explosive. He barreled his way down the court but this wasn't simply a physical freak by any stretch of the imagination. I saw what the scouts and players were seeing. Certain elite players have an innate feel for the game that no others have. They know when to shoot, when to find the open man and when to lead. It was apparent within 15 minutes how great this kid already was but that he could be an elite level player in the NBA at 18. I had never seen anything like it and I loved the way he smiled and played and took joy in the game and his teammates. You couldn't help but pull for this kid a little bit.

Fast forward to 2010 and we have complete new beginnings. Lebron has inspired many players and fans and has taken over the title, in some people's eyes, as the best player in the game. His game has become more refined with age and he isn't just all athleticism and vision any longer. There is a better defensive game, a better outside shot and more of a desire to win. He had been on the cusp in Cleveland and was revered as the savior of the city by the Cavs fans. Going into "The Decision", I couldn't help but think about that kid I say years ago. While his ego had grown, I still felt he was a good guy. He seemed like a good teammate and he still remained loyal to all of those that stood by him. I remember thinking, "He has to come back to Cleveland for his pride and his love for the city and his team". I was truly shocked at the spectacle that "The Decision" became. The children, the references in the third person and the utter contempt for anything that was his past. I heard him say how Kobe inspired him with his drive but you know as well as I do that Kobe would never play second fiddle to anybody. Lebron walks into a stacked deck and smugly acts as if the last 7-years didn't matter. I felt for the fans of Cleveland who struggled for so long and I felt for his former team who will go down in flames this year, but I also felt for Lebron.

I was watching the Lebron James documentary the other day called "More Than a Game". I loved seeing Lebron, so talented and young and getting engrossed with the game. It was a pleasure to watch him rally around his teammates and friends and it was beautiful to watch his relationship with Dru, Willie, Romeo and coach Dru. You could see that they all reveled in playing together but they were all like brothers and enjoyed the time off the court almost more. It was inspiring to watch them ascend the ranks of high school basketball and eventually become the top ranked team in the land. Lebron had somewhat of an ego like most stars have but he was selfless. He wanted his teammates to shine just as much as himself and his constant giving was evident on and off the court. I loved seeing this side of Lebron and remembering how great a ball player he was but also how gracious he was to be blessed with such great friends and a father figure in coach Dru for the first time in his life.

The other day I read Lebron's comments in the media about racism being the reason behind the sudden hatred among the masses towards him. While I can't deny that racism still exists, this was a blatant attempt to deflect just criticism. Publicly humiliating your former team and coming across with a bit of a God complex can change perceptions rather quickly. I think back to his game in earlier years and how it progressed to more of a selfish style of play and that was a direct reflection of what he had become. This can be blamed on him in many ways but also on his coaches and his handlers that allowed this metamorphosis from being a giver to being a taker. He had become what the general consensus felt the NBA was, selfish kids with too much money and too much of "me" rather than "we". I hated to see somebody that I felt would be the next step in the game and a step in the right direction. I envisioned team play being the center of all this and Lebron leading the way with a smile while rejoicing in the game and the moments that he was fortunate enough and special enough to be a part of.

I don't hate Lebron or have strong feelings of disgust towards him for what he did. He had every right to go in whatever direction he chose. I don't agree with his actions or what he will ultimately do to his legacy. I know he will be booed and despised all season long and I can only hope that somehow, the kid I saw at 18 will come back to us. There is still time and I don't want him to become the stigma in which he is already knee deep in. It will be good for him as a person but it will help the NBA move forward, especially with somebody leading the way that has undeniable rare abilities. Then again, I might be naive and think that the money and the power aren't truly at the center of why people play in the modern era.