You can expect this kind of swagger from a guy who call himself King James. The world has been nonstop telling him he's the best so maybe he's just impressionable?
This is only news and a "big" talking point because its LBJ. If it was Durant people wouldnt be ripping him for it instead it would be a debate about who is the best. If this was Jordan saying it in his prime no one would say anything. Lebron is the best at the moment and its not even close. What he is doing in the finals just shows it.
Totally agree, people just hate on LeBron for some reason. MJ talked like this all the time, and people now wax poetically about a bygone era in reference to Jordan and the 80s/90s NBA. It's kind of ludicrous because frankly LeBron simply is the best player of this generation, and really it's just not that close honestly. Get over it.
I would have no idea as I only really read this forum, RealGM, ESPN, and talk to family/friends about the NBA. But it's quite absurd how many people hate on the guy so much, even the girl I have been going out with recently hates on him a lot right now lol.
I don't "hate" LBJ, but I do root against him. Why? Because in basketball the best players in the world get a "ref bonus" and it annoys me. I, like many people, root for underdogs. Elite talent + Ref bias + Not a Blazer + other annying stuff = I root against you. Now, MJ, I hate and will always hate. LBJ has never (to my knowledge) come out and said "I'm glad I am not a Blazer."
On the world or in the planet? Even ESPN is confused. There's nothing mysterious about it. Other than his patented inability to play well in the 4th quarter, few people hated him before he brought his talents to South Beach. The Decision was a PR fiasco.
I've never been a fan of superstar basketball..not MJ, LBJ, Melo, Kobe, Shaq.....I think it's ruined the game...I like great TEAMS! Superstar basketball made everyone go out and blow their cap space on a couple of guys and gut their rosters. Superstar ball has made refs swallow the whistle, coaches lose their game plans, and very good players waste careers never touching the ball. Michael Jordan never got ejected for yelling at a ref. I was really happy to see Golden State win with depth and coaching this season since the Blazers were out early. Lebron looked completely burned out trying to do everything for the Cavs. The better team won.
He'll think twice about showing his junk on ABC again anytime soon..that shit comes with some serious karma
You're absolutely right, but I have been impressed with LeBron ever since that first year in Miami. I think after that first year where he was so hated, it really humbled him and I honestly believe he regretted that major ego stroking ever since. I remember reading about how much he mentioned it affected him how much people seemed to viscerally hate him after that whole thing. I have empathy for someone that gets absorbed into the moment and makes a bad ego based decision, I have been there, and someone that is big enough as a person to learn from it and change for the better speaks a lot about his character. Obviously could be reading into the whole thing totally wrong, but that's my take on it.
+> Your root against formula ought to be used throughout the NBA fan base according to each persons team. For the annoying stuff parameter add money over loyalty.
That's a good, mature take. I fall more into the camp of, only an idiot doesn't see that obvious of a reaction coming, but I can definitely see and respect where you're coming from. For the most part, he does and says the right things, so maybe he did grow from the experience.
LeBron is one freak, long, offensive-rebound to the greatest 3-pt shooter in history from being 1 win in 6 trips to the Finals. Not exactly domination. He's very good but doesn't seem to close well. The Cavs were in every game late but when you would expect the "Best player in the World" to dominate, he came up empty game after game. I would expect him to continue to get to the Finals as the East is so weak. while 5 different teams have been to the Finals from the West since LeBron started his run and 4 have won a title. Getting the Finals in the East isn't that much of an accomplishment and closing 4th quarters in the way he has done it isn't even in the same continent as MJ let alone in the world.
