By bringing out the "he's young" routine, you bring alot to question. Lebron isn't some rookie/sophmore. In fact, alot of people younger than him have acted more mature. Hell, Blake Griffin is more mature despite making many more immature videos. Why? Context.Vides990 wrote:I see him as being immature for the same reasons you bring forth...refusing to shake hands, the dirk shots (but that wasnt just him right?) etc...but the way i look at that is a player thats overly competitive letting his emotions get the best of him (the shaking hands part that is)...to me thats not a big deal worth criticizing him over, hes just young. Being immature is different then being an a$$hole or a jerk or whatever other personality traits people have tried to associate with him.
I agree about the difference between immaturity and jerky-ness. The problem? The way Lebron's "immaturity/jerky-ness" appears is through poor sportsmanship, cocky showboating, etc. And, just to cover all ground on this topic, even if you see it as only immaturity, it's his immaturity that is the problem, is what is criticized, and is what he needs to change.
Yes and no. This would be the case had Lebron not done one single, outrageous stupid event right after: The celebration. Yes others were involve, but you would have me at gunpoint for me to say that had the entire "The Decision" debacle not take place, the "We Already Won" celebration still would occur.The celebrations were just as much the miami organization as it was lebron so i dont think he should take the entire blame for that. With D Rose recently making similiar championship expectations it just shows all these guys think that way, but like you said, its moreso the context of how it was brough forth. I dont really see how "the decision" is much different from any other live press conference other then "it happened to Cleveland yet again." I feel like people have an image of who and what they want lebron to be, and they arent happy with him just being himself. It's just like MJ and Derek Jeter being able to work the media and have them portray an image they want associated vs Arod and Lebron not really knowing how to, or simply not caring enough of what people think, which is perfectly ok.
To me, Lebron is the catalyst that lead to the whole aura of cockiness surrounding the Heat (he's also responsible for much of it). Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade both had terrible moments of PR a few times, but Lebron outnumbers them both. Let's not forget the shoulder bump into Spo, the "Karma's a bitch" quote, or the Dirk shots. Yes, part of it him being "perceived as the leader." However, Lebron hasn't denounced the name of King. He's pretty much accepted it as his identity, without trying to change his attitude to fit it.
While this is true to a large degree, Lebron's Public Image would have benefited from him saying nothing at all. Or at least very little. This all goes back to his immaturity, which needs to be solved.IMO the way he handled the media and outrage this year was very well done as well, sure you have an interesting quote here or there but hes not personally attacking back, blowing people off, or acting out in a manner thats unprofessional.
I never brought this up really. While I personally do think he slacked in multiple playoff appearances, it's a position I wouldn't take the time to back up.I also dont get where the whole, oh he quit in this game or that game came from. As someone that watched those games obviously he was not up to the usual bar he has set for himself, but no rational human being is going think that a professional athlete at the top of his sport, just quit and lost, that doesnt make any sense and goes completely against how these guys are wired. Do i know what happened? nope and i dont pretend too either.
Overall I do believe my point has gotten across. Lebron is immature, that's his problem, and he needs to find a way not to "open mouth, insert crab legs."
