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How does it feel when you wake up every morning and people hated you for no reason? When you walk on the streets of your neighborhood, people screamed at you, “your mother is a w***e, Delonte did her.” – won’t it eat you up? When you propose to your high school sweetheart and all that mattered to the world was that it is the only ‘ring’ you’ll have – can it get any worse? Don’t tell me it wouldn’t kill you when your kids go to playschool and their teacher tells them their father is a choker. Well, this is exactly how LeBron James lived the last couple years of his life. Until Game 5 against the Thunder, LeBron was anything but a winner.
Since his selection as the first overall pick in the highly rated 2003 draft, LeBron James has perpetually garnered public attention, mostly for the wrong reasons. Of all players drafted directly from high school into the NBA, including Kobe Bryant, nobody was this publicized. With a height of six foot, eight inches, LeBron’s rise to stardom has always been under scrutiny. He won MVP honors and people criticized him for not winning the league. A profound dunker in the game, critics chose to defame him for being selfish. And when Dallas stripped LeBron and the Heat of that elusive championship last year, we all thought – this is ‘Bron, he’s gone ring-less. Sad story, isn’t it?
Career stats of LeBron James read 27.6 PPG, .483 FG%, .331 3point FG%, 7.2 RPG, .746 FT%, 6.9 APG, .8 BPG, 1.7 SPG and 1.9 PFPG. (Espn.com) Now, let’s take a look at Michael Jordan’s stats, who supposedly is the greatest player to ever grace the NBA – 30.1 PPG, .497 FG%, .327 3point FG%, .835 FT%, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, .8 BPG, 2.3 SPG and 2.6 PFPG. (Espn.com)
On an average, both players played nearly 39 minutes a game in their careers. Out of the 9 categories mentioned, LeBron triumphs Jordan in four, tying him in one whereas Jordan equals his superiority with better PPG, SPG, FT% and FG%. Clearly, Michael evinces his dexterity in the attack whereas LeBon is a better defender. What many fans don’t denote when comparing these stats is Jordan sensationalized himself in an era where rules were lenient. Players weren’t allowed to double team and charge at a player. Unfortunately for LeBron, he is locked like a prisoner. To make it worse, the last important stat, turnovers per game, works to Jordan’s advantage as well. Hence, nobody is going to displace the undisputed ‘king’ of the game. Yes, more hatred for LeBron. Yes, Jordan is the greatest ever, undeniably.
People could question me why I even tried to use those ‘meaningless’ stats. The answer is here. If every player who has played the game for at least seven years in the league compared himself to Michael Jordan, only one comes close to even standing strong. Winning championships do matter but so do career stats, don’t they? Jordan, who was the first global face of the sport, excelled in every domain of the game. He could shoot, defend, assist and rebound. He lacked nothing in skill. If he played one on one with every great listed in the game, he would beat everybody effortlessly, par one. That special one, I guarantee, is LeBron James. Of all 10 categories that were previously mentioned, LeBron has been the sole player to match Jordan in every aspect. But who cares? This guy is going to be hated, forever.
In 2011, LeBron was voted as most hated sportsman in North America. In his comeback in 2012, he played the greatest individual season ever witnessed. When Derrick Rose won the league’s MVP in the season before last, LeBron put up the second greatest season ever. Now, look at this – his recent Eastern Conference finals performance against the Celtics in Game 6, if compared to any other playoff performance before, would rank as the best. Add that to the pressure he faces. Add that to the hatred he tries to fight. Isn’t this man now special? Doesn’t he perform when needed, a.k.a possess “clutch”? No, hatred is what defines our love for King James.
Has anyone heard of the plus/minus rating in the league? It basically implies your efficiency in all areas of the game including your influence on your teammates. According to 82games.com, the league’s other two MVP contenders Chris Paul had a 15.9 rating while “Mr. hated by nobody” Kevin Durant rated a mediocre 11.1. Where is LeBron? Well, he had a stellar yet humble rating of 18.0. Evidently, he is selfless.
Stats. Stats. Stats. If stats mean everything, then LeBron does fail somewhere. That failure lies in the number of championships he has won. Sadly, that is what will haunt his legacy. When this maestro does hang up his boots, people will continue to question his loyalty. His much publicized stunt to leave Cleveland, aired as “The Decision” on the NBA, will forever be mocked in Basketball folklore. But who doesn’t commit mistakes? None of us do, we are all perfect. Only LeBron James does.
When King James won that elusive championship, critics saw it as an effort of a selfless Dwayne Wade and a modest Chris Bosh, nothing good that LeBron did. With so many enemies, how does this guy sleep? But, what is a King without his enemies? How will a king reign over his dominion without being contested? And only a man who surmounts over all that deserves to be of worthy of the King label. That is LeBron Raymonne James – a true king in his right.
