“I told my team, I’m not going to continue to fail late in games. … I told the guys that I just keep failing them late in games and I won’t continue to do that.”
Truer words have never been spoken by LeBron James. You know, the most vilified athlete in America despite never being arrested.
Doesn’t it speak volumes to the intellect and values of our nation’s sports fans when the most hated athlete/team in the country is one whose worst mistake all year was holding an ESPN special—a show that happened to make nearly $3 million for a charitable foundation?
Think about that for a minute. The worst thing James and this team have done all year resulted in Boys & Girls Clubs of America getting a huge check aimed at helping children.
We’re not talking about raping someone, being caught with guns, getting into altercations on South Beach, being tasered by cops, getting arrested for a DUI or anything illegal. This man has been squeaky clean, yet everyone feels the need to paint him black and tarnish his image.
So why does America hate LeBron?
It’s easy: They fear him. No one should really hate LeBron outside of Cleveland; you just wanted him for yourself, and when he said he was taking his talents to South Beach, you became envious and afraid.
To quote the wise one Yoda, “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”
Well, it certainly has led to suffering for all who doubted LeBron.
Did you think he was joking when he said he was making a list of all those that were getting in line for some major retribution?
Was there any doubt he truly would make good on his prediction of not one, not two, not three and so forth?
Well, for those that questioned his decision and play during the regular season, James is offering up a nice, hot cup of “shut the bleep up” so far this postseason.
On the day LeBron made that quote about not letting down his team, Miami had just finished dropping a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Chicago Bulls. It was yet another crushing defeat in a string of close losses that left some Heat players in tears.
“The Miami Heat are exactly where everyone wanted, losing games,” Wade said. “The world is better now because the Heat is losing.”
But amidst the flames that were seemingly consuming the team as they struggled for answers and victories, one message came across loud and clear.
“I told the guys that I just keep failing them late in games and I won’t continue to do that.”
No, LeBron, you sure haven’t.
“One of these days, we will break through,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Yes, Coach, we sure have.
Chicago had beaten Miami after being down by 12 late in the first half and “then became the fourth team since Feb. 24 to erase a double-digit deficit against the Heat.”
This was the quote that stuck out most: “We have guys who can close,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Perhaps Thibs meant that Miami has guys that can close, because James showed the world that while Derrick Rose may have a trophy that reads MVP, he withers in comparison to LeBron when the stakes are at their highest.
Rose went so far as to say that James can easily defend him. That’s waving a white flag in the face of a talent much stronger than yours.
Heck, we now have Scottie Pippen saying LeBron James “may be the greatest player to ever play.”
That is one of the top 50 players in NBA history saying that James, who he never played with and has never won a title, is better than Scottie’s own teammate and the man regarded as the G.O.A.T., Michael Jordan.
All of this hate sprung from a biased and bitter media that saw the reaction of Cavs fans and instantly began the LeBron backlash, portraying Cleveland as the victim and James as the villain. Yet as we get deeper into the playoffs, the rants and remarks of all the pundits, critics and cynics are being drowned out by the sweet swoosh of every late-game jumper that James drains.
Those shots and these clutch wins are drowning out all the negativity and naysayers.
Still, besides James’ ESPN special, what is there not to like about this team?
You have a guy playing with torn ligaments in his thumb, another rushing back from foot surgery to be with his team, three superstars who could all have commanded max money and attention sacrificing cash and image in order to achieve a greater good and a point guard that gave up almost $4 million just to compete for a ring.
Two players that gave up money to win a championship in their hometown. A young coach trying to stake his own legacy while being the padawan for one of the greatest leaders in league history. An owner that does everything in a low-key and classy manner, never needing to be shown on every single SportsCenter when his team plays.
Yet you hate?
Isn’t that what we ask of our athletes and teams? To not play for just money, to forsake their personal spotlight in order to be part of a team, to care more about winning than stats?
Miami gave you all that, and you still doubt.
Well, don’t look now, but the bad guy is about to win a title. When he does, you will all be invited to the castle to line up and kiss his royal derriere.
We knew what we were doing when we threw a party last summer.
This team came out and told you what they were going to do, and they’ve gone about taking care of their business. They said they were taking over, and they have.
Gone are the champions and ghosts of yesterday.
Eliminated are the media darling MVP and the most consistent squad all season.
Now all that is left is Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. Millions of terrified fans will flock to the Mavs bandwagon, it serving as their last refuge from the fire that has swept across their land.
You will find no shelter there. The unstoppable force is on its way, led by the King that has yet to be crowned—but that’s only four more wins away.