Lebron James is the star of stars in the NBA. He has unanimously been declared the best player in the game right now on a global level and has even reached the the “Greatest of All Time” comparisons (“long live Michael Jordan”). He reached the top of the NBA in 2012 winning his first championship and relived the same achievement this year by leading the Miami Heat to a second consecutive title. He has won countless awards from Most Valuable Player, to Gold medals in the Olympics. His leadership role is not only strong in the locker room but outside as well, as there have even been reports of him pushing to lead the Players Union. Lebron James has accomplished so much – it’s incredible to think that he may still be getting better.
The strongest and greatest thing about Lebron James is not his physique, nor his ability or tremendous god-given talent. What separates him from other outstanding players is his mental structure to endure everything he has endured. It was something he knew he had to develop and quickly master, knowing that he was destined for greatness and therefore, his fair share of cynics.
Think about it; who was the last player to be under the spotlight for their entire career? What player has had to endure hate from all angles, reach expectations that arguably no one had ever reached, and be known as the next player to change the game, all of this since the age of eighteen?
No one.
Lebron James has been under the spotlight even before high school. People saw his talent from an early age. Playing for public leagues, people saw this was not going to be just another good basketball player – this kid had the ability to be superstar great. Through high school the pressure only grew for Lebron, as colleges began seeing “The Chosen One” blossom and showcase all the talent he already possessed. By his Senior year he had been featured in basketball magazines including SLAM and ESPN. His high school games were even being televised on a national level. He was the future of the NBA, before stepping on a professional court in a meaningful game. Colleges were throwing offers left and right, but the NBA seemed to be ready for him before that. The expectations were tremendous, especially on such a young kid, but to his credit he always stayed focused and on the path laid before him.
Deciding to skip college and go straight to the pros, Lebron never disappointed even with all the pressure thrust upon him. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers for 7 years and became increasingly loved by fans with all the amazing things he continued to do. Comparisons to Michael Jordan were being thrown around, while others disputed his game was more Earvin “Magic” Johnson. He amazed fans with his athleticism and brought the Cavaliers back to relevance; even leading the team to a Finals appearance. All the while Lebron never folded or succumbed to the pressure that was thrust upon him, but continued to exceed expectations. He never disappointed a crowd and always put in the work to develop his game, to improve and be the best he could be. And people loved him for it. The city of Cleveland was his, and the NBA fans around the world were falling in love with how he was changing the game. But when the Cavaliers proved that they could not get enough talent to help the King, it was time for a change that would change the Basketball world.
On July 8, 2010, Lebron announced on national television, “The Decision” that he would be taking his talents to South Beach to play for the Miami Heat. He joined forces with superstar Dwyane Wade and all-star Chris Bosh to become “The Big Three.” The basketball world and its fans turned all its hate toward the Heat, but specifically on Lebron. For the first time in his career, The King was no longer a loved star, but a sunken villain.
The 10-11 season was probably the most difficult season of Lebron James’ playing career. Every arena he went to that was not Miami’s he was booed. The city he had once loved and played for, hated and despised their former hero. The movie quote from the Batman movie “The Dark Knight” seemed to perfectly fit James after leaving the city of Cleveland – “You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” The NBA world turned its back on the once-loved player.
But James never stopped, and never let the criticism stop what he did best – ball.
With finally having a supporting cast, the Heat ended the season with a 58-24 record, second best in the East led by James. They pushed their way through the playoffs and reached the the Finals. But after 6 games the Heat fell to the eventual NBA Champions, the Dallas Mavericks. The loss was devastating and all the blame seemed to be thrusted upon the King’s shoulders. After facing year after year of disappointment in Cleveland and leaving to join the Heat to win a title but falling short of the goal, Lebron’s whole world must have been turned upside down. This could have been it for the player. It could have been the collapse. After all the weight he carried through high school, the Cavs, and now failing with the Heat, with the expectations of the world all bunched up on his back any player would have crumbled. He was emotionally drained, hated by most of the league and its fans. Mentally scared that it was never going to happen, Lebron James had hit rock bottom. This was probably the turning point.
The amazing thing about being at your lowest, is that there is only one direction left for you to go – up. And that is exactly what transpired. Instead of succumbing to the pressure, accepting all the hate, and mentally giving up, Lebron James continued his quest. It seemed like he never took a day off the whole offseason, working out and hosting basketball camps. His game seemed to improve. He changed his image from being the villain to just being Lebron again, and he started having fun again. He wasn’t always as serious as the season prior, he was joking and playing on the sidelines. You could tell that this was not the same Lebron that came the season before promising ring after ring, but a more humble James who just wanted to play the game he had enjoyed his whole life. And that made all the difference. The rest is history.
Two NBA titles and a Gold Medal in the 2012 London Olympics later, Lebron sits on top of the basketball world. All the hate, scrutiny and doubters have finally been put to a silence. Not everyone loves him, and people still find flaws in his game. Comparisons to the Greats will never end. But all the weight and expectations of the NBA world were placed on this man’s shoulders before he even took a step on the court. To come out on top of the NBA as the reining King, no matter how much anyone hates him, there is no doubt that this man has lived up to, and has exceeded expectations. He has accepted all the challenges the game has thrown at him to overcome.
The only question left now is, “What’s next?”
Thanks for reading. You can follow me on twitter @mikeyy7241. Don’t forget to follow our basketball department on Twitter – @giordun, @aFishCalledMatt, @NBAFantasyInfo, @herrickss, @matttheballer23 and @KaineElmy. While you’re at it, give the site a follow too – @lastwordonsport.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.
