LeBron Faces Media Criticism

Posted by Mark Barnes Nov 10, 2006

Like the president of the United States, LeBron James faces media criticism daily. Recently, he had to make it clear that he didn’t quit an NBA game.

So, this is how it’s going to be. The media is going to search for anything negative to write about the Cleveland Cavaliers Chosen One. It happened with Michael Jordan, too, so it can certainly happen to James.

In an overtime loss to Atlanta, it looked as though James was leaving the court, as the Hawks dribbled away the last 13 seconds of a 7-point lead. James stopped near the corner and even spoke to Hawks forward Joe Johnson. When the buzzer sounded, he left the arena.

The Atlanta media jumped on this, like a zealous kid on a trampoline, comparing LeBron to Oakland Raiders football player Randy Moss, who once left the field before a game ended.

Can you imagine likening LeBron to Moss? This is tantamount to comparing Princess Diana to Heidi Fleiss. The two simply don’t mesh.

LeBron is not just the best player in the NBA, he is arguably its finest citizen. He gives to charity, he never makes excuses, he is kind and courteous in every interview, and he even makes hilarious commercials that boost interest in his sport.

In short, LeBron is unique. He’s a kid with freaky talent and uncommon maturity. LeBron James is a gift to the NBA and to sports, in general. He does enough good to fill sports writers’ notebooks for a lifetime.

So, until LeBron really does something wrong, let’s give the kid the benefit of the doubt. He’s earned it.