#15: The King Leads USA Men to Gold
I've said some nasty things about LeBron James. The words, "selfish", "jerk", "conceited", "arrogant" have been used, along with much more colorful language, in my discussions with people about LBJ. After his apparent no show vs Boston in the 2010 playoffs and "The Decision", I just couldn't stand the guy. The problem with my anger towards LeBron was that he never really did anything to me. While,"The Decision" was a horrible idea and a total PR disaster, its not like LeBron really hurt anybody by going to Miami. Did he hurt Cleveland by publicly shoving a knife in their back? Maybe, but its not like other beloved hometown athletes haven't left their cities. The reason we hated LeBron was because we had already planned his career out for him. He was the hometown kid, the savior, the once in a generation talent who would lead Cleveland to their first title in any major sport since 1964. It wasn't supposed to go any other way. When James left for Miami, we revolted not against LeBron the basketball player, or even LeBron the person, but rather against the fact that LeBron had changed the path that he was supposed to take. Throughout the last two NBA season, people were watching Heat games to cheer for or against LeBron, not the team. Rooting for James to fail was weirdly enjoyable. However, after watching him rip through the NBA season/playoffs, pulling off great game after great game, being unselfish, and defining the word, "clutch" (screw you, ESPN) LeBron accomplished something I didn't think he could accomplish.
He made us fans again
As a result, the Olympic basketball tournament became the LeBron James show, but one that everyone could enjoy. Watching this guy play basketball is just beautiful. I don't claim to be a basketball historian, but these, "combination of Mike and Magic" comments that everybody makes seem to be right on. LBJ doesn't have the insane competitive drive like Mike, or the unbridled flare of Magic, but he's advancing toward that level of player. He did everything for Team USA. Whether is was scoring late, getting guys involved or shutting down someone on defense, LBJ was up to the task. When he made that three late in the gold medal game, my dad and I just let out a huge collective "WOOO". It was such a huge shot, one that people have been saying the guy couldn't make. I was so happy for him and his teammates. This, "Dream Team" was not a basketball team constructed in the traditional sense. They were a small-ball, "run and gun" team that struggled at times to defend and were in trouble when the three balls didn't fall. Man, they were fun though. So congrats, LeBron and Team USA. We expected you to win, and you did. While other teams conducted themselves poorly, you represented the United States with absolute class. I hope that their showing draws even more people towards the NBA. If you're one of those new fans, don't watch if you dislike LeBron James. It's a lot less fun that way.
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