A Sporting Debacle

I used to like LeBron James. I use to defend LeBron James. I honestly thought he was the next GREAT thing in basketball. He was MJ, Magic, and Bird all rolled into one. He was destined for greatness. He may still be all these things, but this whole "Decision"debacle borderlines on the absurd. Of course, our society's 24/7 media coverage is part to blame, but most of this is on LeBron who has built himself up to a be a walking corporation. Of course, LeBron has gone on record as saying he wants to be a global icon. Shame on him though because PR firms and his inner circle marketing team will only take him so far. The real way to global icon status is winning. Just ask MJ, Tiger, and others who achieved such status. Tweeting and calling press conferences for an ESPN Special do not make you a global icon.

At this point, in my mind he is nothing more than a supremely talented dud. The best care about winning and LeBron just cares about being the center of attention. After all, that is what this 9pm announcement is, a build-up of attention for "THE CHOSEN ONE" with "THE DECISION." Memo to LeBron, this is not a Presidential election. This is you making a decision about what team to play for. I am going on record as saying if LeBron goes on TV tonight and does not chose the Cavaliers, which is looking more and more possible, then this will be the single greatest sporting debacle EVER. Athletes are self-absorbed, but to go on TV and announce the total abandonment of the team, the hometown, and the state in an hour along ESPN Special truly takes self-absorption to a whole new level. Look, if LeBron wants to play Chicago, Miami, or New York that's fine. Those teams may offer him a better chance to win, but LeBron should do it with class. Make the call, sign a contract, and move on. In the end, "The Decision" is nothing more than a charade bordering on tragedy if he skips town for other pastures. Of course even after this little tirade, I am still going to watch it hoping after all this LeBron does the right thing and chooses Cleveland.