Thoughts on LeBron

The hate for LeBron James has grown to a point that I cannot even comprehend. It is amazing to me that a man that grew up with no father, and has excelled in the most difficult of circumstances is hated by millions for leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers. It seems that society expects LBJ to be perfect in every sense of the word, when we all know that nobody is/ever has been. LeBron is easily the best basketball player of our generation, and yes, he has flaws. You know who else has flaws? Everyone. And LeBron has done his best to become a better person, as well as a basketball player. Simply because he doesn't take and make 100% of clutch shots does not mean that he is not clutch. His ability to get it done in every way possible is phenomenal, and I do believe he is clutch, but in several ways. 

Yes, he has made mistakes. The way the Decision was handled was poor, to say the least. However, was that LeBron's planning? Of course not, but today's society has crowned him the "villain" of the NBA. The villain who constantly gives back to his community, including the Decision (contributions to the Boys & Girls Club), the villain who always has a smile on his face, and the villain who you'll see on ESPN's My Wish series this summer. 

LeBron left Cleveland high and dry. There's no doubt about it, but it was two years ago. Get over it. And if you were in his shoes, would you have stayed? Would Kobe Bryant stay? Would Kevin Durant stay? Doubt it. The ownership of the Cavaliers is just as much to blame as LeBron is for leaving. However, I hope everyone is aware that LeBron was a FREE AGENT when he left Cleveland. Remember when Kobe lost Shaq, and had not yet acquired Pau Gasol? Didn't he demand trades of himself and/or Andrew Bynum? How quick society is to forget because #24 can put it in the bucket late in the game at a high rate. Any superstar with a brain and a burning desire to succeed would have left the situation LeBron was in. 

LeBron has missed clutch shots too. However, when he does, it seems like he is the only elite NBA player to ever miss a big time shot. I was not aware that KD, Kobe, Pierce, etc. made 100% of clutch shots. They do not. And if you do really look at the numbers, LeBron certainly has the ability to score when it matters. LeBron's one of the most unselfish superstars in NBA history, and he is hated for it. We hate a man who passes the ball to his teammates, instead of taking a triple teamed 18-20 ft jumpshot, which is his one weakness if you had to pick one. People say, "Jordan would take the shot no matter what." LeBron is not Jordan. He is a completely different breed of superstar. If the guys who receive his passes make the shot to win, how is that a problem? It only is for LBJ. 

All in all, yes, LeBron James has made mistakes. And his mistakes are magnified more than anyone possibly in the history of sports. But all of the good qualities that LeBron possesses are overlooked, and I think that is a shame. Mistakes are made, but no man deserves to be hated the way that LeBron James is. Other than being an overall good person, James is an extraordinary basketball player, unlike any we have ever seen before. He should be appreciated, not hated.