(Site note: Look to the bottom of this post to find links to the other opinions and intro to this debate).
As hard as it may be for fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers to believe, LeBron James IS human. When you cut him, does he not bleed? Despite superhuman qualities on the court, he even feels sadness and anger. Is it really that hard to believe that a man whose life has been built around athletic success would get upset when he loses in a competition that he was “supposed” to win?
LeBron has accomplished many things in his short career. He’s been named NBA MVP, made multiple All-Star appearances, represented his country in two Olympic Games (and won one gold medal), made more money than he can ever spend, and still has the majority of his career in front of him. Despite the success, there is still one achievement that eludes him. The one thing he wants more than anything else… a championship.
Over the past two years, Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry took it upon himself to build a championship team around LeBron. In 2008 he orchestrated a blockbuster, 3-team deal which brought in guard Delonte West, small forward Wally Szczerbiak, power forward Joe Smith, and center Ben Wallace. In the off-season, Ferry added point guard Mo Williams to the roster. On paper, it looked like the Cavs were moving in the right direction.
Throughout the 2008-2009 season, all signs pointed toward championship. The Cavs finished the regular season with the best record and one of the best home records of all time. For the first time in franchise history, they had the top overall playoff seed, and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Then, the playoffs began.
The Cavs swept the Detroit Pistons in round 1, with round 2 bringing more of the same as they swept the Atlanta Hawks. Once again, everything seemed destined toward a championship for LeBron.
But, that’s where the story ends. In the Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron and his Cavaliers were faced with a harsh reality in the form of an Orlando Magic team that seemed to always be one step ahead of them. Thanks to mismatches on the court combined with nearly unbelievable field-goal and 3-point shooting accuracy, the Magic dispatched LeBron and his Cavaliers in six games. It could have easily been only four games if not for some magical moments by “King James.”
It’s not like its LeBron’s fault! He averaged 38.5 points per game, along with averaging more than 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game. He did everything he could, but it wasn’t enough. Sure, he’ll probably win a championship eventually, but this year was SUPPOSED to be his first. So imagine the heartbreak, disappointment, and frustration he felt.
Now, in the heat of that agony, would YOU want to have that thrown in your face? Would YOU want to sit in front of a bunch of media reporters who will most likely try to instigate you into calling out one of your teammates for “dropping the ball?” Would YOU want to look into the eyes of someone who just stole your dream for this season and tell them “good job?” I wouldn’t.
Was it being a poor sport? Maybe. But, nowhere does it state that LeBron is required to shake another player’s hand. It is not required that he meet with the press, either. I find it ironic that people are mad at LeBron for letting his emotions dictate his actions, so they respond in an equally emotional and immature manner by launching a crusade against him. By the way, LeBron has up until this point been extremely gracious and welcoming to the media. LeBron is also the first to cross that half-court line pre-game and laugh it up with the players of the opposing team, including Dwight Howard, who was his teammate on the USA Basketball team during the 2008 Olympic Games. He meant no ill-will with his actions. He just wanted to be left alone.
And so I say to you, let the person (or should I say robot) who has never reacted to their emotion cast the first stone.
(Site note: Read the intro to this debate, Bleacher Fan’s opinion, Sports Geek’s opinion, and Loyal Homer’s opinion, too. Let the voting begin!!
