The Hype of King James
Has there been a more hyped athlete in the last 5-10 years than LeBron James? From his Sports Illustrated covers ( in high school ) to commercials to massive sponsorship contracts, he has been at the forefront of basketball news for quite some time. Today he is in the news again, setting up a special show tonight on ESPN to announce what club he will be signing with.
The problem I have with LeBron James is not how much money he makes ( or has made ), or whether or not he is a decent guy. From all accounts, he does a number of good things for the city of Cleveland, and he has kept his nose clean. I can’t remember any time that he was in the news for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. My problem with LeBron James is that he has yet to win. I don’t mean win games or even conference championships. He has yet to win the only thing that matters in pro sports, and that is a championship. I didn’t see Dwayne Wade asking for a 30-minute show on ESPN to announce that he was staying in Miami, and he actually has won a championship. Until LeBron James does that, I don’t care where he plays.
What would really impress me is if LeBron James stepped up to the podium today and offered to play for the league minimum. Add an incentive clause that if the team that picks him up wins the championship, he becomes the highest paid player in the game for that year. Then renew the contract for the next year. If it’s really about winning and cementing a legacy, find the team that has the best chance to win and show up ready to play. Play for the title. Play to be a legend, not just another rich athlete that never made it to the top of the mountain.
If LeBron is really King, then last I checked that means he has to be at the top of the pile when the fighting is done. That’s why it’s called King of the Mountain, not Duke of the Mountain. No one cares what happened in high school, LeBron. When you can do it against guys as good as you and still be the best, that’s when you get to be called King. Don’t waste our time with over-blown press conferences. Just shut up and play.
