I Don't "Hate" Lebron...but

[Greenbean]

I think I can articulate for myself at least why I cant root for LeBron.

I think I could definitely get over the ego thing, but I really dont like the fact that he doesnt have the same insane competitiveness that the greats all seem to have.

I think sports fans in general love the idea of a guy who wants to destroy the opponent and will stop at nothing to do so. LeBron was annointed so early in his career as the greatest, he never developed that edge or chip on his shoulder. THe fallout from the decision has proven to be a motivating factor for him, but you still see him give in to the opponent occasionally, either on the court or off it.

Anyone else feel this way?

I do find it ironic that a guy who literally has never been in trouble with the law, seems to be universally loved by his teammates, and never had any kind of scadal surface is the most hated guy in sports but I cant help but root against him!

[greg683x]

I definitely get an "entitled" vibe off LeBron, which is weird because the guy obviously works as hard or harder than anyone.

Personally, my distaste for Bron would drop enormously if the national media would stop demanding I love him.  One of the guys on ESPN's Sport Reporters on Sunday said people should just shut up and cheer for LeBron.  Now, it's one thing to respect his talent, skill and accomplishments.  But the idea that EVERYBODY has to be a LeBron fan, even supporters of other teams, is insane.

Mike

this perfectly describes why I cant stand the guy.  Im so tired of ESPN shoving Lebrons opinions of something down my throat that has nothing to with him and sometimes even basketball in general.

I know this would normally mean that my hatred is more for ESPN, and I do hate them as well, but you can tell that Lebron loves it.  He eats it right up.

[fairweatherfan]

I definitely get an "entitled" vibe off LeBron, which is weird because the guy obviously works as hard or harder than anyone.

Personally, my distaste for Bron would drop enormously if the national media would stop demanding I love him.  One of the guys on ESPN's Sport Reporters on Sunday said people should just shut up and cheer for LeBron.  Now, it's one thing to respect his talent, skill and accomplishments.  But the idea that EVERYBODY has to be a LeBron fan, even supporters of other teams, is insane.

Mike

this perfectly describes why I cant stand the guy.  Im so tired of ESPN shoving Lebrons opinions of something down my throat that has nothing to with him and sometimes even basketball in general.

I know this would normally mean that my hatred is more for ESPN, and I do hate them as well, but you can tell that Lebron loves it.  He eats it right up.

I think you guys are putting the cart in front of the horse.  The sports media doesn't hype up LeBron because they're trying to make him popular, they hype him up because he is the most popular player in the league, and almost as importantly, also the most hated. 

Both of those mean LeBron stories draw a lot of attention, and drawing attention is how the media makes its money.  It's not much more complicated than that.  Don't like it, support public broadcasting I guess.

[Eja117]

he'll simply never be in the same class as Jordan, Russell, Bird, Johnson. even if he wins 18 rings all by himself.

and the main reason why I've come to this conclusion occurred last night. I believe it was the 1st or 2nd qrtr. Lebron was attempting a bounce pass  from the high post to a guy cutting to the basket, the ball hit a spurs leg, knee or foot(I had just turned the game on and the play happened to fast) Lebron stops expecting a kick ball call but the ball bounces right back to him with no call made. Lebron turns the ball over and while his teammates start to run down the court Lebron takes the time to yell at the official.

now, i'm sure if that play on the no-call had lead to a heat basket i'm pretty sure Lebron wouldn't have said a word to the official and likely would've been the 1st guy back down the court. all he had to do was keep playing,  he made the mistake. "play to the whistle" right?

then the ruling on the parker out of bounds play? he goes up to the official and rolls his eyes and keeps telling the official sarcastically "ok, ok, ok, ok"

it's this self entitlement and the expectancy of everything being handed to him and him quick to jump to blame someone else and "it can't be me that's the problem, i'm great" vibe he gives off.

i'm not saying past greats didn't have or do some of what Lebron is doing. i'm saying they handled it a lot better and had more class in the process.

if he would just play on the court and not be so blatant about his self entitlement he wouldn't look like such a ****.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Avn2nT16FA

[Greenbean]

I definitely get an "entitled" vibe off LeBron, which is weird because the guy obviously works as hard or harder than anyone.

Personally, my distaste for Bron would drop enormously if the national media would stop demanding I love him.  One of the guys on ESPN's Sport Reporters on Sunday said people should just shut up and cheer for LeBron.  Now, it's one thing to respect his talent, skill and accomplishments.  But the idea that EVERYBODY has to be a LeBron fan, even supporters of other teams, is insane.

Mike

this perfectly describes why I cant stand the guy.  Im so tired of ESPN shoving Lebrons opinions of something down my throat that has nothing to with him and sometimes even basketball in general.

I know this would normally mean that my hatred is more for ESPN, and I do hate them as well, but you can tell that Lebron loves it.  He eats it right up.

I think you guys are putting the cart in front of the horse.  The sports media doesn't hype up LeBron because they're trying to make him popular, they hype him up because he is the most popular player in the league, and almost as importantly, also the most hated. 

Both of those mean LeBron stories draw a lot of attention, and drawing attention is how the media makes its money.  It's not a lot more complicated than that.  Don't like it, support public broadcasting I guess.

TP Thats why I dont let the media hype affect my judgement of any player really. Although it is very difficult at times.

[Celtics4ever]

eja117  +1 that Star Wars vid was great.

[Neurotic Guy]

I can't explain why I used to root for Jimmy Connors or Ilie Nastase over Bjorn Borg, or why I root for Tiger Woods over Phil Mickelson.  Sometimes logic doesn't explain why I would root for someone who, on the surface, seems to display values that are not aligned to my own.   I can't explain why there are at least four guys on the Heat that I dislike more than I dislike Lebron, or why any Laker is atuomatically despised and horrific (until they become a Celtic).   The bottom line for me is that I accept that I don't really know ANY of these people.  The players that I think are good guys may be despicable in private; players that I think are rotten people may have an endearing and kind side.  Bottom line -- I don't really know any of them.   It is possible that Lebron is a monogamous, family man who is generous and thoughtful to friends, relatives, waiters/waitresses and the kids down the street. But it's our natural and, to some extent, chosen perceptions that end up driving our rooting interests.   

If Lebron played for the Celtics I'd be a huge fan.  For now, I think he is an all-time great player who is the first all-time great to fully grow up in the glare of the 21st Century media spotlight. He has responded by being a hard-working, ball-sharing leader on the court, and a law-abiding citizen off the court.  Additionally, he appears far more mature at 29 than he was at 25, and I expect he'll grow into a fine, humble and articulate NBA statesman.   He belongs on the NBA Mt Rushmore and he can hold his head high amongst the others as far as I am concerned. 

But then again, I don't really know him.

[Celtics18]

I don't hate Lebron James, but I passionately root against him, and when I'm watching Heat games it sometimes feels like hate. 

I recognize that it's not real, though.  To me, that's part of the beauty of being a sports fan.  We can create our own narratives, with our own good guys and bad guys. 

[showtime]

I do.

  Well said.

[GreenWarrior]

have to add to this thread. just watched Numbers Never Lie and they said Lebron needs more help...

i'm sorry but after "the decision" the excuses, the reasons, the whinning all went out the window. I don't care who is injured, tired, cramping, whatever. the excuses went out the window.

maybe the heat should just go back in time and snatch Bill Russell, Jordan, Bird and Wilt to help Lebron.

[D.o.s.]

I don't hate Lebron James, but I passionately root against him, and when I'm watching Heat games it sometimes feels like hate. 

I recognize that it's not real, though.  To me, that's part of the beauty of being a sports fan.  We can create our own narratives, with our own good guys and bad guys.

TP.

[Finkelskyhook]

I definitely get an "entitled" vibe off LeBron, which is weird because the guy obviously works as hard or harder than anyone.

Personally, my distaste for Bron would drop enormously if the national media would stop demanding I love him.  One of the guys on ESPN's Sport Reporters on Sunday said people should just shut up and cheer for LeBron.  Now, it's one thing to respect his talent, skill and accomplishments.  But the idea that EVERYBODY has to be a LeBron fan, even supporters of other teams, is insane.

Mike

this perfectly describes why I cant stand the guy.  Im so tired of ESPN shoving Lebrons opinions of something down my throat that has nothing to with him and sometimes even basketball in general.

I know this would normally mean that my hatred is more for ESPN, and I do hate them as well, but you can tell that Lebron loves it.  He eats it right up.

I thought the most revealing illustration last night about  network (ABDNC / ESPN) messiah-bias came when Spoelstra called timeout when the Spurs made a run to put them back up 20+ and they followed the messiah back to the huddle. 

[Finkelskyhook]

have to add to this thread. just watched Numbers Never Lie and they said Lebron needs more help...

i'm sorry but after "the decision" the excuses, the reasons, the whinning all went out the window. I don't care who is injured, tired, cramping, whatever. the excuses went out the window.

maybe the heat should just go back in time and snatch Bill Russell, Jordan, Bird and Wilt to help Lebron.

Russell didn't have to make excuses for losing.......

[Finkelskyhook]

I can't explain why I used to root for Jimmy Connors or Ilie Nastase over Bjorn Borg, or why I root for Tiger Woods over Phil Mickelson.  Sometimes logic doesn't explain why I would root for someone who, on the surface, seems to display values that are not aligned to my own.   I can't explain why there are at least four guys on the Heat that I dislike more than I dislike Lebron, or why any Laker is atuomatically despised and horrific (until they become a Celtic).   The bottom line for me is that I accept that I don't really know ANY of these people.  The players that I think are good guys may be despicable in private; players that I think are rotten people may have an endearing and kind side.  Bottom line -- I don't really know any of them.   It is possible that Lebron is a monogamous, family man who is generous and thoughtful to friends, relatives, waiters/waitresses and the kids down the street. But it's our natural and, to some extent, chosen perceptions that end up driving our rooting interests.   

If Lebron played for the Celtics I'd be a huge fan.  For now, I think he is an all-time great player who is the first all-time great to fully grow up in the glare of the 21st Century media spotlight. He has responded by being a hard-working, ball-sharing leader on the court, and a law-abiding citizen off the court.  Additionally, he appears far more mature at 29 than he was at 25, and I expect he'll grow into a fine, humble and articulate NBA statesman.   He belongs on the NBA Mt Rushmore and he can hold his head high amongst the others as far as I am concerned. 

But then again, I don't really know him.

Absolutely outstanding post.  I would be a fan of the messiah if he played on a level playing field.  He doesn't need the help.  He's the most physically gifted an athlete in sports history combined with arguably being the most unselfish player in the game.  And seems like a good guy.  What 25 year old kid doesn't make a mistake?  I'd love to see how good he'd be without the bias. 

Last night ....Even with ignoring the hacks every time down the court on Duncan and ignoring the fouls on Parker they couldn't get the Heat back in the game....So the officials got all of the calls on the messiah out of the way late in the third and early in the 4th quarter.  They even called traveling on him for God's sake.  Some of the stuff they called on the messiah is the kind of phantom stuff they constantly call on the guys trying to guard him.    They'll get back to normal the rest of the series.