Before "The Decision" LeBron James was one of the most beloved athletes in the world. Kids adored him. Grown men wanted to be him. He was a young man with a good head on his shoulders and alluring personality.
However, things have changed. Since the airing of "The Decision" and his choice to join the Miami Heat a different side of LeBron has been seen. We have seen a LeBron James who seems to be immature and tactless. He is a guy who just doesn't seem to "get it".
The entire drama surrounding "The Decision" and the way it was presented put a lot of sports fans off. Most people were okay with him leaving Cleveland for South Beach. Now, some were not so approving. But, what upset most people was the explotation of the show and the way James presented it as something to "help the kids" but in reality was nothing more than a vehicle to feed his ego.
Also, upsetting many people (especially those in Cleveland) was the perceived total lack of care or appreciation for the fans of Cleveland. The fact James didn't even inform the Caveliers of his decision before going on live television and dissing them in the most public and embarrassing way.
The fans in Cleveland were understandably upset. Some of them took it too far with the burning of his jersey and the faux hanging. But, the fans of Cleveland adored him for seven years. They held him up to almost god like status. They loved him unconditionally.
The Caveliers organization catered to him at his every whim. The only brought in new players with James approval. They let him have free reign and do whatever he wants. Unlike other players he was allowed to have his entourage at every practice, game and team function. Then, in their eyes, James turned around and stabbed him in the back.
What has came to light after this situation is James' seeming arrogance, defiance and lack of awareness. James couldn't (or didn't) see any problems with his choice to announce his free agency decision on live television. LeBron could not see why Cleveland fans were upset. He did not understand why Caveliers owner, Dan Gilbert, and the rest of the organization felt betrayed, lied to and blindsided.
Instead of truly acknowledging he should have went a different route James was defiant and cocky. He proclaimed to love the fans of Cleveland but in the next breath took any opportunity to dis them.
Dan Gilbert exasberated the situation by writing a "letter" to the fans and having it published in the Cleveland papers. In the letter Gilbert basically said James was a liar and a con. He said LeBron was not the angel he was presented as. He alluded to the fact that LeBron was nothing more than a tyrant and the organization allowed it to happen yet they got repaid for their "loyalty" by him leaving.
A few weeks back James returned to Cleveland for the first time. It was not pretty. The fans were waiting and threw every insult and boo his way they could. However, the night belonged to "The King". He went off for 38 points and the Heat destroyed the Caveliers. A loss the Caveliers still have not recovered from.
Well, since that game things have been rather calm until Tuesday night. Cleveland was in Los Angeles playing the world champion Lakers. The Lakers ripped the Caveliers apart beating them by 57 points. Toward the end of the game James posted on his Twitter, "Karma is a bitch. God sees everything."
Now, it doesn't take a genius to figure out LeBron was talking about the Caveliers and more specifically owner, Dan Gilbert. The tweet quickly made its way into the mainstream. It was fodder for the sports talk shows.
Late yesterday LeBron tried to difuse the situation by saying he didn't tweet it. He said it was a "retweet" but he posted it.
Here is my take on LeBron. First I have to say I've never cared for the guy. I have always felt he wasn't what he seemed. So, read further knowing I feel that way. Anyway, I think LeBron is arrogant. He is self-centered. LeBron is about LeBron.
He has surrounded himself with "yes" men and moochers. His "handlers" don't tell him what he needs to hear but what he WANTS to hear. No greater example of this than "The Decision". Anybody with one good brain cell should have known that was a horrible idea. However, nobody told him that. They just told him, "great idea, King".
LeBron has been pampered and celebrated all his life. The problem with that is that he now feels he is above everything. Whatever he does is right and anybody who objects are haters and the enemy.
We all know people like this. I do. They feel whatever they do and say is okay and everybody should just realize "who the hell they are". Well, when it comes to LeBron I do know who the hell you are. However, that doesn't make your words and actions any less wrong.
Some people have said it is just immaturity because of his age. Bullshit! The dude is 26 years old. He is old enough to take accountability for his actions. He is old enough to not use "the kids" as an excuse for his blatant narcissim. He is old enough to know when he is stabbing a group of people in the heart and them seemingly taking pleasure in twisting it.
LeBron James has went from hero to villain. Maybe he doesn't care this has happened. If he doesn't that is fine. But, what the self-proclcaimed "King" needs to realize is that actions and words have consequences. And, despite he and many others in this world seemingly thinking they are "special" and above it all he needs to learn to handle criticism along with the praise.
Plain and simple if you are going to act like douchebag then don't get upset when people speak about you and treat you like a douchebag!
