Letter to LeBron

Dear LeBron,

I am NOT one of your fans (just wanted to say that up front) but I LOVE the game of basketball with everything that is in me. I love it in a way that only a person who doesn't have your talent can.

I think you are a prime example of what's wrong with the game! You don't LOVE or RESPECT the soul of the game.

I know this morning you are somewhere scratching your head trying to figure out how this bunch of old vets have found a way to defend you, out play you, make 4th quarter runs, repeatedly remain defiant in the face of your youthful exuberance.

I think people compare you to Michael Jordan too much and do you a disservice by doing so. Yes Michael Jordan was one of the most talented players the game of basketball had ever seen, BUT his talent is NOT what made him one of the game's greatest winners.

His will to win was born through his intimate knowledge of defeat, and his fortunate apprenticeship under basketball's Socrates, Dean E. Smith. See people who are innately born without the ability to leap backboards in a single bound have a different type of appreciation for the game, that's why they make the greatest coaches.

Dean Smith taught Michael that talent was not enough to win, it takes a team to win. Even though he temporarily forgot this lesson when he came into the league. Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, and Magic Johnson each took turns reinforcing that lesson. Dean Smith taught Michael to respect, outthink, and outwork each opponent (I'm paraphrasing from his Hall of Fame speech), once he applied that knowledge and combined it with his talent he began to dominate on a championship level.


Oh yeah and before you start thinking this is another one of MJs fans hating on you, every one who knows me knows that I also am NOT a Michael Jordan fan!

You sir lack the work ethic Everything has come to you so easily that you (like all other 80s babies) feel you are entitled. Where were you taught to persevere? My mother always told me "the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary."

Here are a few things that all champions must possess:
-Confidence
-Perseverance
-Determination

These things come with time and experience. I feel you did yourself a huge disservice by not going to college. You chose money over success. You believed the hype that you were the best. If you want to be a professional you need to study your craft. Most people go to college to become experts in their field. You had the audacity to feel like you were Great enough to skip that part...well now you are feeling the pressure.

Ever wondered why Derrick Rose and Kevin Durrant are having so much success early in their careers...they went to college!

Players later in their careers choose to go form alliances to win championships. You had the opportunity to bring the first championship to your home state and you gave that up. You flaunted your choice to leave and you are relying on your talent to get you through...you have SO much to learn!

There are a lot of GREAT, talented, and deserving ball players who never won a championship. Championships aren't guaranteed and everybody wont get one. You may join their ranks. I for one hope so, I think it will be good for the game...it will force kids to go to college to LEARN the game of basketball.



You have to develop the heart of of a champion...that heart is tested in the fire.

Hate It Or Love It; Either Way You Felt Somethin'