BASKETBALL PLAYERS WANNA BE LIKE MIKE, But They Just Don’t Know How. H.A.B.

Michael Jordan will be a Supreme Inspiration for as long as there is a game called Basketball.  If I were to elevate the discussion to include the entirety of Human Pursuit of Excellence, then Jordan’s name and his Legacy will remain very prominent. Michael was the Ultimate example of Excellence.

Apparently Jordan himself, knew that he was much better than Lebron would ever be, and that is a very big surprise because Lebron is a serious contender.

Kobe shot his fade away jump shot like Michael, and he was the leader of an NBA Dynasty Laker’s team, but Kobe did not demonstrate the defensive skills, post up game, or the adoration factor required to eclipse the Jordan Legacy. Everyone loved Michael. Kobe was a little too great in his own eyes and his treatment of personnel issues in his obvious, but silent mode, probably cost the Lakers a few championship rings with the departure of O’Neal and Howard, and in addition, the failure to replace Gasol when the time was right. I have developed my own personal disdain for players like Kobe, that have been blessed with the awesome honor of representing a team like the LA Lakers, yet they conspire to deny other gifted athletes the same honor. For the record, “it is dreamlike for any athlete to be chosen to represent the Lakers. It is also a huge financial consideration, given the cost of living in the LA Region. In addition, LA is a place for other passions to compete for an athlete’s time with their instant LA Celebrity status”. Kobe sought to deny this honor and celebrity to O’Neal and Howard, both of whom had earned it, and are “MORE HOLLYWOOD” than Bryant.

I called Kobe’s game “Over” after his season ending ankle injury. Kobe failed to finish off his Legacy in good standing and in high regard due to his fixation on Laker Player Personnel and his over-played ego. Sadly, no one wants to play on a Kobe led Laker’s team. Only two gentlemen can complete this story and they appear to both be far too dignified and honorable to expose this NBA embarrassment. I have no sympathy for Kobe, who is no longer good enough to “dance fo Massa”. Funny how O’Neal’s Celebrity continues to grow, and everyone dreams of Dwight’s Physical Gifts.

I became a Lebron fan because of the unfair treatment that he received after his “Decision” to leave Cleveland. I am always for the underdog and Lebron had every right to seek out an opportunity to reach the championship level.

Lebron had fulfilled all aspects of his contract with Cleveland.  If they wanted to cash him in on the trading block after 3 of 7 unsuccessful years, no one would complain about their Loyalty. Why on Earth would anyone complain about Lebron after completing 7 of 7  contracted years?

Lebron’s confusion was confounded by the critics of the “Decision”. The critics deceived Lebron about the “Decision”.  I was highly critical of none other than Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Charles Barkley, all of whom led the charge in condemning the “Decision” and all with basically the same erroneous criticism that “They would never join up with other stars to assemble a championship roster”.

Mr. Jordan, you are the greatest, but you did not shine alone.  “Ole LaBelle, you had two angels by your side and they helped you fly” (Jimmy Johnson, RIP). Michael seemed to have forgotten about Scottie, Horace, BJ, Steve and the Boys. Magic Johnson made a similar claim. Seems that Magic’s old age made him unaware of Kareem, Scott, Cooper, Wilkes, Worthy, Kurt, Bob, and the Boys. I guess Barkley also forgot about Julius Irving, Moses, Cheeks, and N’em.

Lebron has made similar mistakes to the Kobe mistakes in his role as Director of Player Personnel for the Heat and now Cavs. This is where the inexperience of the 18 year old kid from Goodyear Town, just north of Smuckerville really shows. Lebron has “ZERO” skill in “TEAM BALL”.  “ZERO”.  Imagine if you will, Lebron James, i.e. 6′-9″ Lebron James, with all of his freakish athleticism, playing for some high school in lil ole Akron Ohio.  I am just guessing, but I would bet that the most important thing for his teammates was to, “get the ball to Lebron”, in their battles against Canton or Mt Vernon, or Wooster, or Mansfield, or Cornfield. But as time goes on, and we mature in college, with a structured program and Legacy, we eventually realize that Teamwork is an important part of the game of basketball.  But “wayminute”, Lebron did not play in college, and this talented big kid from Akron was thrust into the limelight of the great city of Oz, near the lake, for, (Drumrolllllllll…..), …, the Cleveland Cavs, which is way downtown Akron.

Lebron’s lack of Team Offensive Skills resulted in an embarrassing NBA Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Lebron has to this day, failed to “OWN this Ass Whippin”.  Instead he chose to go with the “Hype” that all of the Miami Heat’s success was due to him putting the total weight of the team on his back.  So, when you are victorious, the weight of the whole team is on your back, but when you lose, it is your teammates fault and shortcomings.  Got it! Lebron turned this on his teammates and pointed fingers at the likes of Wade, Bosh, and Chalmers. Then Lebron silently told them all to go to Hell, under the cover of, “There’s No Place Like Home” as he tapped the heels of his silver sneakers together, grabbed Toto, and flew his Black ass back to North Smuckerville, leaving his teammates, that delivered him two rings, in the dust.

Lebron failed to own the Spurs that Tim Duncan and San Antonio so firmly thrust right up his ass. Instead Lebron pointed fingers at his Teammates and departed from Miami. Lebron has yet to realize that it is “Very Poor Offense” when one player holds the ball for 18 seconds on every play, then fires up a low percentage shot. This is why the Spurs embarrassed the Heat. This fully exposed the lack of Team Offensive Skills. This is why the Warriors are continuing the Ass Whippin today. It is not sufficient to simply have stars on your roster. In the competitive NBA, you must also fully utilize their talents.

It is doubtful that Lebron will ever win an NBA Championship in Cleveland based on his assembling a team of un-proven utility men to pass the ball to him.  It is my estimation that Lebron took the erroneous “Decision” sentiments to heart, and, child that he was, sought to win a championship for the hometown all by himself.  This is why Lebron came to Cleveland. Lebron is out to prove what is not true. No one ever won an NBA championship by themselves. The NBA is too competitive for that!  I guess it comes down to Lebron looking up to the Legends, and the Legends pissing on his silver shoes.

So I don’t buy the Dorothy and the silver slipper dream cover story of bringing a championship to Akron. Lebron is in Cleveland to prove that Lebron can win a championship all by himself.  This is his level of respect for his current Team Members.  It is not clear if Lebron will ever win a championship in Cleveland and the idea of a Cleveland Dynasty is nearly laughable. This erroneous criticism, and Lebron’s immature reaction to it, has costed Lebron the Legacy which is “DYNASTY SHINE”.

I have equal disdain for Lebron’s obvious and silent “Director of Player Personnel” moves. Lebron’s moves probably are the single most deadly Legacy Killing mistakes that he has made. Lebron sent Wiggins packing his bags, after being honored as the NBA No. 1 Draft Choice. (Because Lebron had no use for another great guard on his team) This silent move had absolutely “ZERO RESPECT” for the hard work and dedication that Wiggins obviously displayed. It is proof positive that Lebron is still very self centered and does not have the Team Concept required to compete. Rather, he requires the Team to facilitate his walk into the Hall of Fame and his Coronation as the best player that the game has never known. These H.A.B.s rebound, block, steal, and assist purely for the “Stat Value”, and not for the “Team Value”. It is fortunate for Lebron, that Kyrie Irving fully recognizes his own supreme ability and is not willing to relegate that to facilitating Lebron’s Walk of Fame.

Lebron is certainly quite intelligent, but IMO, coming out of high school as an 18 year old millionaire phenomenon has played its part in limiting the career of Lebron. Less than two weeks prior to this writing, after a “Hallmark Ass Whippin” by the Team Oriented Golden State Warriors, Lebron stated on National TV that he was not going to get down on his teammates about the loss until a later time. Ha!

I guess that the Bro Love is strong in Miami, but I doubt if it is strong enough to welcome Lebron back to South Beach. That would be some story. I could forgive Lebron for being the “Golden Child” that made that horrible mis-calc and stabbed his best friends in the back after milking Wades Salary numbers with a threat of departure. I think that Lebron would have to eat a lot of humble pie and agree to earn the next Miami ring as a small forward, that does not usually bring the ball down the court and who focuses on post up play, rebounding, and defense. ( Kinda Kevin Love-ish, LOL) Go Team!

My prescription for Lebron is to pray for forgiveness from his Miami Teammates, and to fully utilize the skills of his current Teammates and especially the awesome talents that are Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.  Kyrie can bring the ball down the court Lebron.  Maybe you should GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF THE  DAMNED BALL! Hint.

Copyright © 2016 EnTrance/Terrence Ricci Inc Last modified: February 9, 2022

EnTrance/TRI/RMS
February 1 2016