LABron James Discussion: The Final Year?

Ok, I wouldn't go that far...

Much of his childhood was without a father, he grew up in a tough neighborhood and had to move around alot. It's not like he inherited all this wealth, he's a self-made man.

 

I used live/work around the Akron area: Lebron got privilege only in his teenage years when his basketball skills started flourishing. Outside of that, I don't think anyone can take an honest take a look at his life and not say his story is remarkable. Single mom, poor, no father, and everyone knows his mother is not all quite there. It's hurt him in ala the Decision where he's dependent on his surrogate family which the same age he was to make one of the worst PR decision in sports history as an example

Just look in comparison to all the truly greats over the last 25 years and guys like Kobe, Shaq, Magic, Jordan, all came from a solid family situation. I think Last Dance showed how Jordan's family and upbringing really steered him away from trouble and towards that Nike deal. Ironically enough it's probably Bird who was last truly great GOAT level player who came from as s***ty family background

 

I don't like the narcissism but at least he will go and play. I doubt there is focus however with all that is happening. A bad thing for us.

 

Doesn't this undersell Lebron significantly?
How many players with insane physical gifts such as Iverson, Derrick Coleman, or even more respected greats like Barkley and Shaq didn't maximize their abilities.

 

I've never really liked Lebron, and I think that has always been obvious. I found he was such a huge arse, a narcissist, and a racist that he was completely intolerable. Heck, I had the website/blog ihatelebron.com where I posted him regularly putting his foot in his mouth with his ridiculous comments. He can't help himself. I deleted that when he came here so i was not a negative presence for my fellow Laker fans, but I should have sold the site for good money lol.

HOWEVER

There is no denying that as he has aged, he continues to mature and has become a more likable person. A better version of himself. He's more tolerable as a Laker than he has been anywhere else, but I still can't stand him. I think it's possible he means well, but is just pretty clueless on certain matters. Just like celebrities that throw their opinions in the ring on political matters, their takes are often out in left field, based on not enough information, and seem to be unnecessarily inflammatory. He's an unqualified celebrity for some things, but everyone is entitled to their opinion and to be celebrated or roasted for it. I'm glad guys like Jason are there to call it as they see it, because if Jason Whitlock was WHITE, he would be called a racist for his opinions.

Does this country have a race issue? it's undeniable. Is his methodology of "helping" actually productive? No. Whitlock stopped short of saying people "like Lebron" that take such an uneducated and irresponsible approach to such matters may actually be making matters worse, but it's true. How much violence, looting, and death has occurred after being stirred up by his posts/interviews or others like him? It's a fair question, and it's completely impossible to answer.

Anyways, I wish him well. I wish the Lakers well. I hope they win. I may catch a game here or there, but the reality is I don't get joy out of watching Lebron ball. Overall it's pretty ugly basketball. To be fair to him, anyone following the flair of Kobe might be met with such disdain, but I DID have a good time rooting for our floundering and developing kids in spite of sucking.

I feel very little connection to this team emotionally. I'm happy to see guys like Caruso get some run. Kuzma is heading toward the Lebron list with his irresponsible tweets lately. We have signed a string of knuckleheads and low quality individuals (IMHO) to surround Lebron with people who can succeed in a limited role. Overall, no matter the success or victories, Lebron will never be a Laker in my book (Heart), and I look forward to the post LBJ era whenever it starts. He's an all time great I'd rather us be competing against rather than have him on our side. He's not fit to carry the Laker banner for me, and I realize I may be completely unfair for having that opinion.

He's doing amazing things off of the court and in his hometown. Stuff he doesn't need to do. He may get elected President one day due to his popularity, and he'll be the first President incapable of using proper English. Wake me up when 2020 is over. RIP Black Panther.

 

He deserves credit for making the most of his gifts.

He's not a score first player, but he may end up as the game's all time leading scorer. He may end up top 10 all time in assists, along with it, and he'll never get full credit because his balls shrank/shrink at crucial times throughout his career in the eyes of fans. If you ask him, after single handedly beating the Warriors 73 win team, he's the GOAT, but it doesn't wipe out a career of not being able to be the man.

Make no mistake that if he played with Kobe, there would be a clear pecking order, and literally everyone knows it. You might like to play with Lebron more, but when it came to crunch time, you want Kobe on your side. Nobody fears Lebron in the clutch. He's had plenty of positive moments, but it doesn't wipe out the other ones that defined so much of his career.

Genetic freak with great durability that mostly refused to play through injury that will end up with massive stats and on everyone's Top 10 list. Still didn't / don't want him on my team. It would be more fun to beat him.

 

The bias and privilege appears real here. Race card. Such judgment. Such condescension. Ok. All good to know.

 

Just curious, did you listen to the Jason Whitlock video? And if so, what do you have a problem with on his take(s)? You've said nothing specifically to back up your opinion, whereas he was very specific. is he racist?

I mentioned in another thread athletes need to vet the incidents they decide to speak out about a little better or they lose credibility. I think it's pretty important that doesn't happen.

 

Good post. I can't deny Lebron is a good guy with a good heart, but he is a terrible leader and him pushing this narrative to the point where its creating a greater divide is not good.

 

I find the love of Whitlock here a bit disconcerting. He has every incentive to find a market niche as one of the few conservative African American sports commentators.

In more analysis of the actual talk: he basically states because Lebron was an athlete and he didn't go to college - he's basically uneducated. There is a converse to this that because James is an athlete and that's how he got his fame that he shouldn't be considered an arbiter of what's best for black people. That's fair but look where Whitlock goes with his argument: he goes to the opposite extreme and states you should be penalized for it. You should go in a priori thinking this guy is an idiot. In addition, the context of just one incident and not to include what else has happened is basically asinine IMO. It ignores how video evidence is refuted and the fallback to qualified immunity creates an impossible standard where lethal force is almost always justified if the officer feels threatened (Castille being a prime example).

 

Love of Whitlock? That's a bit extreme don't you think? I suppose all politically charged topics garner this type of reaction.

I apologize I haven't been on here much, and I now see where these topics have been moved to another thread. I'll keep my opinions over in the political thread. But in the interim, please realize you have some people try to be fair and unbiased and try to call things as they see them. I see Jason trying to do just that, and whether or not it's popular calling out a megastar athlete, I find his take to be factual and backed up his argument.

Lebron has a lot of great qualities, is an all time great, and there's zero doubt he does more good than harm. But he does the community a disservice by blindly stating opinions he hasn't had a chance to fully research. I'm glad most Laker fans are happy we have him and winning again. I'm not much of a fan of him personally, and it may very well affect my overall view of his opinions. I'm ok with Jason knocking him off a pedestal some fans put him on that is not deserved.

back to positive Laker talk, thanks.

 

oooopss, that was an honest mistake lol. Thanks, I'll edit that.

 

LeBron now is 14-0 in first round

 

Hmm, you know in a way after the strike this week, it almost feels like a new season again. Maybe we can consider the next series as the first round too?

 

Think of it this way: I would say all self-made men have either hit the genetic lottery or gotten extremely lucky (likely a combo of both). Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg both went to Harvard and Larry Page/Sergey Brin were Stanford post-grads. Renaissance Technologies the most successful hedge fund of all time was formed by the chair of Suny Stony Brook math department! I would say they maxed out their genetics gift no? Yet because they are not athletes we tend not to think of it that way

As I stated previously though Lebron's came from a much tougher background which is where IMO you were selling him short. He could have easily gone the Iverson route who came from similar tough upbringing (not that Iverson wasn't great but I don't think he maximized his potential)

 

Back to closing out Portland 36 10 10 and those passes and Lebron’s 1 - 2 knockout punch with AD didn’t suck. He looks in pre shutdown March shape at the right time. Put a lot of energy in this game and IMO didn’t look gassed or winded in the 4th when they were blitzing Portland. 3 ball definitely falling again. He and AD best duo in the game.