I admit it I have been hating on Lebron James and its time to admit it, stop it and move on. I have to credit my turnaround in a brief web chat that I had with John Hockenberry, by radio mentor and a man who follows everything - from the status of the euro to what Russian hockey player is going in what order in the NHL draft. “Hock” said: “He earned it” and that gave me pause to reflect. Did he really earn it?
Yes he did. Here’s a brief overview of his playoff resume.
2006 - Cleveland Cavaliers lose in second round of the playoffs to defending champion Detroit Pistons
2007 - Cavs lost four consecutive games to the Spurs in the NBA FInals
2008 - Another second round exit, this time to eventual champion Boston Celtics
2009 - Defeated in Eastern Conference Championships to the Orlando Magic
2010 - Another Eastern Conference Semi-finals loss to the Boston Celtics
2011 - As member of the Miami Heat Lebron loses in the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks.
2012 - We know the story. Champion King James bestowed NBA Finals MVP by Bill Russell. MIami over OKC in 5 games.
In that time people questioned his leadership, whether he had the guts to deliver in the clutch on the games biggest stage and he was roundly criticized and villified to “taking hi talents to South Beach”.
Also during that time he became a father twice and got engaged.
We have seen a boy grow into a man on the television screen. It is like the NBA’s version of Michael Jackson - blessed with seemingly innate talent, given a drive to perform like no other, and ready and willing to put in the hard work.
I will stop hating now. I will give James his due. He earned it. He is the King of the NBA.
ps- i still hate Jordan. Can't help it, I am a Knicks fan.
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