Life Lessons from a Former LeBron Hater
LeBron was right.
Every morning this week I woke up and had my same life. This morning he woke up and is still a mega-millionaire, one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet and a corporation money making machine. LeBron knows more about basketball than I, probably, ever will. He’s still a top 3 NBA player now, if not number one. (Don’t pretend he’s not phenomenal and conversely, don’t pretend Dirk is one of the top 20 NBA players of all time.) I would trade jobs with him in a heart-beat. Not lives, but jobs/careers, easily. That being said, LeBron has a few lessons to learn and I think he should look to Mark Cuban, Tom Brady, Kobe, Michael and Magic how get to that next level.
Let me first acknowledge that, until now, I could be classified as a card carrying LeBron hater, but not for the reasons you think. I didn’t hate LeBron, I hated that it wasn’t my team that scored the biggest free agent since Shaquille O’Neal in 1996. I hated “The Decision” but could understand it was an attempt at doing something good for the Boys and Girls Club of America. I hated the dynasty proclamation (“…not 5, not 6, not 7…“) for the lack of humility, but I certainly would want my team thinking they’re going to win 5 of 6 championships. Why play if you don’t think you can win? I don’t hate him for “turning his back” on Cleveland. Cleveland didn’t put the team around him that he deserved. Cleveland was lucky to have him for seven years. I hated LeBron because he was/is the best basketball player in the game right now and he wasn’t on my team. But as I’m turning in my Hater Card, I would like to offer King James a few lessons he could learn from his peers. Turns out we could all learn from these too.
1. Be Quiet – Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban has notoriously spoken his mind. It’s part of what people love and hate about him. He doesn’t care. He’s paid over a million dollars in fines. (That’s Chad Johnson level!) But this year he decided to shut his mouth. He didn’t want to give the opposition fuel to their fire with bulletin board material, or add any pressure on his team. He’s now an NBA Champion, shutting him up with be harder than ever, now. But, until you get there LeBron, shut your mouth and bust your ass. You’re one of the most scrutinized sports figures around. The media can’t shoot at you if you don’t give them ammo to fire. Kobe’s good at this too.
2. Be Humble – Tom Brady
Kanye West said it best, “The LeBron of Rhyme, it’s hard to be humble when you’re stuntin’ on a Jumbotron.” I’m not saying LBJ should change his persona to a Ghandi like humility level. Tom Brady is a great example for LeBron to follow. He’s confident and sure of himself but he’s quick to defer praise and take the blame. Brady has the perfect mix of intangibles that you want in a leader of superstars. I’m not saying James should get his tattoo removed, just learn to appreciate the process and the champions that came before you. Predicting a dynasty before you’ve even held a training camp together puts an even bigger target on your back. Clearly, the Big Three came together to win titles, but you’ve got to win ONE before you can win multiple.
3. Find Sanctum in Basketball – Kobe Bryant/Michael Jordan.
The rumor mill churned heavily during the NBA Finals. Speculation that LeBron’s long time girlfriend, and the mother of his children, had been cheating on him with Rashard Lewis. I don’t know if that is true or not, but what I do know is this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a player go through a serious off the court issue during their career or even during The Finals. Kobe Bryant amid court appearances for his sexual assault case in Denver would routinely make it back to the arena just in time, or even sometimes after, tip-off. Amazingly he would put up big numbers, sometimes over 40. Michael Jordan was dealing with the murder of his father and managed to put on a show in the Finals. Both of these men found that the court was where they could relax and achieve some normalcy. It was an escape from real life and it was doing something they love. I know that anything like these situations and my mind would be elsewhere too. LeBron, if you’re doing through something that personally taxing, look to the court to be you savior and not your microscope. This has got to be easier said than done, though.
4. Be the Man – Magic Johnson
I would argue that few, if any, athletes are as physically gifted as LeBron James, in any sport. He’s phenomenal. He’s as tall as some Centers, faster than most Guards and has the strength of a Power Forward. With the Big Three in Miami all playing similar styles LeBron should take a play from Magic Johnson’s playbook and play where he’s needed. By now you know the story: Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals, Lakers big man Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is out with an ankle injury, rookie point guard Magic Johnson starts at CENTER in Kareem’s place, Magic puts up 42 points, 15 boards, 7 dimes and 3 steals and leads the Lakers to the title. LeBron is probably the only player that could do this too. He could easily play any of the 5 positions on the floor. That’s why we love Magic. He put it all on the floor and competed no matter what. LeBron can be this guy too… and I’m sure he will.
The frustrating part with all this, is everyone tries to compare LeBron to Jordan, Magic & Kobe. Let him be him. Let him carve out his own niche. I don’t want him to be these people just learn from their success to create his own. King James has a bigger challenge than the rest of them, changing our attitudes about him. But he is the king, right? If anyone can do it, LeBron can. Even if I hate watching it.
