24 Dec 10 Lebron James: Not Riding Coattails, Just a Step Ahead of the Rest

Lebron is just trying to winMarc Serota/Getty ImagesSince Lebron left Cleveland, everyone from team owners to ex-NBA greats have had something to say. He has been called all kinds of things including coward, narcissist, and ring chaser. Many claim the reason he joined up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami is because he needs other superstars to hide his own deficiencies. The truth is no one person can win a title on their own, and Lebron knows it.The fact that the James-led Cavaliers have posted 60+ win regular season records Atlanta Falcons jersey
means nothing. The playoffs are a whole different game and if you are relying on players like Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison, chances are you are not going to have much success regardless of how good you are. This is something Lebron realized and took advantage ofwith the opportunity that free agency created.It is easy for players such as Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan to come out and say they would not have done what Lebron did, in going to a team with a player like Dwyane Wade. Magic was drafted into a team with players like Kareem-Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy. Jordan’s Bulls were able to acquire players such as Pippen and Rodman. When you have teammates like these, it’s a no-brainer to not want to leave your team. James however did not have that luxury.Charles Barkley was also another strong critic of Lebron’s move. Barkley also said he would not have switched teams in his prime in order to team up with another superstar. But Barkley did go to Houston later in his Baltimore Ravens jersey
career for the shot a championship. A championship he did not win. The fact that Barkley never won a championship is something he most likely regrets. Why should Lebron be criticized for trying to accomplish his ultimate goal early in his career instead of later? Would it have been OK to leave Cleveland five years from now in order to try and win a championship? You can’t blame a player for wanting to win and win often. That is what Lebron is trying to do with this Miami Heat team. In the NBA success is measured in championships. If Lebron truly wants to be considered as one of the best to ever play the game then going to Miami was a smart move. His individual statistics may suffer a bit, but the chance for a title is increased. That is what James is going after. Buffalo Bills jersey
Let’s not blame Lebron for trying to win championships at an early age in order to cement his legacy. He knows the history of the game and is aware a championship is hard to win. He now has a head start and a great opportunity to do it. We should not question his competitiveness. We should honor the sacrifice he is making in putting aside his personal statistics, ego, and millions of dollars for the chance to win.