PETER VECSEY:Criticism of LeBron patently unfair

[KING JAMES1978]

PETER VECSEY


NEW YORK — Have you ever seen a city turn so fast on its Messiah?

Granted, America's favorite pastime is building up its heroes to obscene proportions and then tearing them down.

But have you ever seen sports fanatics and columnists summarily back flip so savagely on a sports divinity for prematurely ending a season fraught with majestic expectations with three straight losses and not "suitably" squirm or shrivel when interrogated by the outraged or "appropriately" accept full responsibility?

Remember what John Wooden said to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) when he beat himself up after a rare UCLA defeat?

"If you want to blame yourself for every loss, then you've got to take credit for every win."

Denounce LeBron James all you want for being consumed with conceit . . . as if all the greats aren't ego-tripping in their fields and don't reek of narcissism.

Who knows, maybe he's as arrogant, condescending and scheming behind the screens — as well as sidetracked by outside interests — as at least one dot.com grenade launcher claims.

I would have an easier time respecting the courage of such convictions had they been hurled when LeBron was up rather than laying in the weeds until he was down. I suspect James' hanging in boardrooms instead of "staying" in his place . . . outside his agent's office . . . makes people uncomfortable.

We tend to be less tolerant of icons whose goals far exceed perfecting a wicked jump shot than those whose off-hour existence is spent gambling and chasing women.

Seems many in the media want LeBron's blood because he dares to rise above that (as far as I know) and boasts a business acumen . . . and hobnobs with Warren Buffett and Jay-Z . . . and has a master plan instead of just waking up and going to work out and party afterward.

But later for all that. The point is, I can't recall a time when LeBron didn't deflect the floodlights onto his teammates.

Paul Simon sure knew what he was singing about when he composed, "Every generation knocks a hero off the pop charts."

Or attempts to, at least. Still, what are we to make of such an abrupt about in-LeBron's-face?

Wilt Chamberlain inarguably was the most criticized player in NBA history . . . and yet got less condemnation throughout his career than LeBron did in the days immediately preceding and following the Cavaliers' crumple to the Celtics.

Despite the after-the-fact incontrovertible certainty Boston boasts the next best four players now that it's whole, healthy and peaking — especially on defense — the vocal majority, shrugging off LeBron's ailing elbow, is all over him like a blanket indictment.

The remaining people think the stained glass free agent-in-waiting is ideal for their house of worship.

Again, only this time with more feeling, I've never seen someone go from deified to vilified so fast . . . and not just by the national gnomes, but from his homeys as well.

I cannot recollect a fan base turning on its star, let alone a pin-up pet, who had yet to desert or commit a grievous indiscretion.

Seattle Mariners fans turned on Alex Rodriguez, but that was after he left to sign a $252 million contract. The Steelers have one of the NFL's most rabid fan bases, but are starting to turn on Ben Roethlisberger now that they know he's a lowlife who trolls for drunk college girls in dive bar bathrooms.

Even O.J. Simpson received a bigger benefit of the doubt from a jury of his peers.

Hey, if underachieving is a crime, I would have been sent to the chair decades ago.

Again, last I checked, LeBron was 25 and already had carried his team once (his fourth year in the league) to the Finals.

Michael Jordan didn't plead his case on the Supreme Court or win a title until he was 28 . . . with Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant and Bill Cartwright by his side and trusty shooters on the outskirts.

Neither Kobe nor Shaq ever won a title unless aided by one another, or abetted by Dwyane Wade or Pau Gasol. Oscar Robertson never won until he joined Kareem in Milwaukee. Magic never won without Kareem, either.

Going back to the 1980s, the lone franchise players ever to capture a championship without another Top 50 player were Isiah Thomas (twice) and Hakeem Olajuwon (once) . . . and Tim Duncan (three times), but he had All-World Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

Meanwhile, columnists and Cavaliers fans are enraged James isn't as apologetic as they're apoplectic. He's been knocked so far off his pedestal, it's like he let us all down.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ ... 519pv.html

[CDM88]

Versey is the same moran that released that Bynum for Bosh done deal rumor

[LakersSquad]

"There is something in those two players that you just talked about that might be missing in LeBron's DNA," Ehlo said. "I haven't seen him take over a game when it was crucial. He's made shots, but where he's set players up like Michael or Kobe does. Or he actually makes things happen other than for himself.

"I haven't seen that in him, and that's what makes those two guys very great players."

[Greatness]

"There is something in those two players that you just talked about that might be missing in LeBron's DNA," Ehlo said. "I haven't seen him take over a game when it was crucial. He's made shots, but where he's set players up like Michael or Kobe does. Or he actually makes things happen other than for himself.

"I haven't seen that in him, and that's what makes those two guys very great players."

I guess Ehlo never watched Game 5 of the 2007 ECF...

[truth serum]

Versey is the same moran that released that Bynum for Bosh done deal rumor

You can't even spell moron? I think you failed. And this is a good write up. I'd have to agree with Vecsey who I usually detest.

[ptown08]

Don't agree with him. When LeBron takes almost complete control of a franchise through the coaching search, trade avenue, and through play who is supposed to be blamed? It has been his fault completely. He is that franchise and when things are going good (MVPs) he is the first to come out and boast. Why shouldn't he get HEAVILY criticized for the short comings?

He has FAILED to deliver a championship as the best player in the league with the best team for 2 straight years. He deserves all this criticism and more.

[LakersSquad]

Don't agree with him. When LeBron takes almost complete control of a franchise through the coaching search, trade avenue, and through play who is supposed to be blamed? It has been his fault completely. He is that franchise and when things are going good (MVPs) he is the first to come out and boast. Why shouldn't he get HEAVILY criticized for the short comings?

He has FAILED to deliver a championship as the best player in the league with the best team for 2 straight years. He deserves all this criticism and more.

This

[Vertical Limit]

Stupid article, just another excuse article for his lack of effort to try to clean up his image.

[truth serum]

Don't agree with him. When LeBron takes almost complete control of a franchise through the coaching search, trade avenue, and through play who is supposed to be blamed? It has been his fault completely. He is that franchise and when things are going good (MVPs) he is the first to come out and boast. Why shouldn't he get HEAVILY criticized for the short comings?

He has FAILED to deliver a championship as the best player in the league with the best team for 2 straight years. He deserves all this criticism and more.

Okay. Now, can I see your resume?

[Jimmy76]

Don't agree with him. When LeBron takes almost complete control of a franchise through the coaching search, trade avenue, and through play who is supposed to be blamed? It has been his fault completely. He is that franchise and when things are going good (MVPs) he is the first to come out and boast. Why shouldn't he get HEAVILY criticized for the short comings?

He has FAILED to deliver a championship as the best player in the league with the best team for 2 straight years. He deserves all this criticism and more.

Okay. Now, can I see your resume?

how about actually dealing with his reasoning?

[KING JAMES1978]

Don't agree with him. When LeBron takes almost complete control of a franchise through the coaching search, trade avenue, and through play who is supposed to be blamed? It has been his fault completely. He is that franchise and when things are going good (MVPs) he is the first to come out and boast. Why shouldn't he get HEAVILY criticized for the short comings?

He has FAILED to deliver a championship as the best player in the league with the best team for 2 straight years. He deserves all this criticism and more.

No!
David Aldridge said some things many people forget.
"One thing I do know: James will use the criticism he's getting for his subpar performances after Game 3 of the Boston series as fuel that will ultimately bring him a championship. They called Earvin Johnson "Tragic" Johnson after the 1984 Finals, when the Lakers went belly-up against Boston in seven games. After six seasons without a ring or a Finals appearance, Michael Jordan supposedly couldn't win the big one. Kobe would never win another ring without Shaq; Shaq would never win another ring without Kobe. Both predictions were wrong."
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/d ... index.html

LeBron derseves cririsim like everyone other great when failed.But all of his haters forget something very important!HE IS 25!ONLY!WITH 2 MVP!

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Peter Vecesy prior to getting his gig with the Post

[Rubynator]

This article fails.


Isiah had 2 (debatable) top 50 players in Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman. Not to mention they had a hall of fame coach.

Also Tim Duncan only won 2 rings without a top 50 player. 2003 and 1999 they had Robinson

How can the criticism be unfair when someone lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs as the favorites w/ HCA and being the MVP. And his lack of motivation and killer instinct during the series was really the one that brought up huge attention. Could he have given a better effort he wouldn't be as scrutinized as he is now.

If LeBron really is a GOAT candidate then he should use this time to develop his game and skills. Come back with a vengeance next year. Be like Magic when Pat handed him the keys to the team. Don't pass out when its crunch time. Stay in Cleveland because it is where you fit best. Create your own legacy

[Kosar86]

Tony Parker and Manu weren't in the top 50 when winning those titles?

Top 50 is basically top 10 at every position...and seeing how the C position was pretty weak during this time, maybe top 11 or 12 at some positions, so there were 12 PGs better than parker 4 years ago?

And considering Parker is a 3x all-star (which is basically top 24)...wtf?

Hell, Manu made 3rd team all-nba 2 years ago....thats top-15

[tclg]

I think he is saying top 50 all time

[Meeks]

Don't agree with him. When LeBron takes almost complete control of a franchise through the coaching search, trade avenue, and through play who is supposed to be blamed? It has been his fault completely. He is that franchise and when things are going good (MVPs) he is the first to come out and boast. Why shouldn't he get HEAVILY criticized for the short comings?

He has FAILED to deliver a championship as the best player in the league with the best team for 2 straight years. He deserves all this criticism and more.

good post.

[Kosar86]

I think he is saying top 50 all time

well, then the Kareem of 1987 was not a top-50 player all time

Thats like saying Lebron had a top-50 player of all-time in Shaq this year

[XxIronChainzxX]

LeBron derseves cririsim like everyone other great when failed.But all of his haters forget something very important!HE IS 25!ONLY!WITH 2 MVP!

He also came into the league at 19. KG, who came into the league @ 19 started losing his game by season 14, and he only really played 13 full-time seasons. Kobe who came into the league @ 18 didn't start playing solid minutes until he was 19 but has played almost an entire year in the post-season 8 times, and he's only @ 12 full-time seasons (discount his 96/97 and 97/98 season). McGrady is injury prone and doesn't count. Even Jordan only played 12 full-time seasons while (and then the other 2 with the Wizards).

So yeah, while Lebron is only 25 with 2 MVPs, he's also been in the league 7 seasons averaging 40 minutes per game. That's insane wear and tear not counting the playoffs. He's played 43.5 minutes in the playoffs per game! Over his regular season career, he's played 22108 in 7 seasons. Counting from when Kobe played full-time like Lebron (from 1998-1999 ), Kobe had 22 080, but in one extra season.

Lebron is a physical beast and seems to be a very hard worker, but there's only so much wear and tear he can take. He probably has a maximum 6/7 high level years of basketball in him at most, but that'd be 14 seasons in the league, a tremendously long time. And given the minutes he playes, that might be even shorter. And that's not counting his insane playing time in the playoffs.

So while Lebron is chronologically young, his milage is huge. So while he's 25, it's not like he's got 10 years of high level basketball in him.

[BubbaTee]

OT but -

OP, how did you find a Peter Vescey article through the Japan Times?

[dvdrdiscs]

So are we saying "Lebron is the greatest player by leading his team to the best record and most favorite to win the championship" at the end of the season. Then when he got bounced it's "oh he had a weak cast and it's not his fault." Can't have it both ways.