Quote:
Originally Posted by tendulkar23
Actually, I only brought up those points because there were a number of posters who seemed very negative towards LeBron and I wanted to know why. I know it's the popular opinion to hate James, so I was wondering if it was the typical "I don't like LeBron because the sports writers told me I shouldn't".
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I have been a huge fan of LeBron James since he was a junior in high school. The hype surrounding him playing HS ball and making the jump to the NBA is what turned me from a casual NBA fan into a die-hard fanatic. I picked media hype surrounding LeBron James for school assignments. I remember every minute of his first NBA game against the Kings. I bought his jerseys, I talked about his games and soaked up everything about him and the Cavaliers on a daily basis. I didn't really have a favourite team until he was drafted, and I decided I would be a fan of whatever team he was drafted to. I've planned trips around seeing him play live. I have been a huge fan of LeBron since day 1.
All of that being said, his "Decision" special on ESPN this summer was a dose of reality for me. We as fans invest so much time in these athletes, we deify them and put them up on such a pedestal, and they don't give us anything in return. I wanted LeBron to play his entire career in Cleveland, I wanted him to win championships for a city that NEEDS a championship, I wanted him to care about being the best ever. I placed all of these expectations on a player who clearly didn't care about any of that. He just wanted to play with his friends in Miami.
Watching "The Decision" this summer made me realize that what's important to me as a fan doesn't matter at all to LeBron James. It's clear by his actions this summer that the guy is a self-serving narcissist, and frankly I'm embarassed and ashamed that I dedicated so many hours of my life to caring about what he does. Sure, it's not his job to care what we think as fans, and I have no problem with him leaving Cleveland. What I do have a problem with, however, is HOW he left Cleveland. I've never seen an athlete remorselessly burn a city so bad in my life. It was heartbreaking.
Even after seeing that, though, I can't help but care about some athletes. I was so happy for Roy Halladay when he threw the no-hitter in the playoffs, because he means something to me as a Jays fan and a sports fan in general. Him taking out a full-page ad in the Toronto Sun, thanking the fans for their dedication and kindness, when Toronto traded him was one of the most touching things I've seen an athlete do in my lifetime as a sports fan. I'll be happy for Jarome Iginla when he scores his 500th goal, regardless of what jersey he is wearing or where he does it. He's a class-act, treats fans with respect, and appreciates what he has. Those guys CARE.
But I'll never concern myself with anything LeBron James does ever again, because if it's clear that he doesn't care, why should I?