What Happened To Respecting The King?
In the year following his rookie season in the NBA, LeBron James dominated the All-Star Game. He received praise and respect from legends such as Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant. From his first season in the league, it became clear that he was a star. A star that would not dim for years, even hall of famers spoke highly of him. Anyone in the league knew to respect this new talent. Additionally, LeBron James came in with noticeable sportsmanship and gratitude, earning respect from the media.
Over the years, he earned the nickname ‘King James.’ He made his mark in every city he has played for thus far. The King has made a name for himself with his pattern of loyalty. James has only played for three teams in his 20 seasons in the NBA, returning to two of those three teams after departing. James becomes iconic in any jersey he plays in quickly and stays there for quite some time. He builds a fan base and team, something few players have been able to do successfully even one time.
James was born in Akron, Ohio to humble means, something he often reminds his fans of. James has worked for everything in his career. However, respect came naturally as his talent was clear and he was often acclaimed. For example, he became the first high school junior to be awarded Gatorades’ National Player of the Year. Following a historically successful high school career, James went straight to the NBA. While a teenager playing a contact sport against grown men sounds like it would have an obvious outcome, James proved viewers wrong. Not only was he awarded Rookie of the Year, but he set the record for most points scored in an NBA debut for a “prep-to-pro” player.
It became a challenge for fans, press, and fellow players not to respect this young talent. James quickly rose to a leadership position on his first NBA team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading them to the playoffs in 2006 for the first time since 1998. The string of historic success continued for years. However, with great skill often comes criticism. While fellow players had built a pattern of respecting LeBron James, due to his sportsman-like conduct, philanthropic work, and sheer, undeniable talent, jealousy rose.
As James led more and more teams to championships, the question arose: Is he as good as MJ?” This fervid debate has led to general criticism of James’ game. James was able to shut down disrespect briefly in the 2023 season by surpassing Kareem-Abdul Jabaar as the league’s all-time scorer. What people fail to realize, is that playing a professional sport for 20 seasons is a feat less than ten other players in the league have accomplished. Disrespecting LeBron James has become a sport to many viewers. Unfortunately, it seems that this trend is spreading to colleagues. On Wednesday, the 19th, Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks enjoyed “poking the bear” by blatantly disrespecting James to his face and to the press. This sets a gross precedent for inferior players to disrespect talent in the league.
Critiques highlight the history of players following James to teams, eliminating much adjustment that comes with a trade. Some say if he stays in the game much longer, he will tarnish his legacy. To those I say, you do not earn, and keep, the title ‘King James’ or ‘NBA’s Scoring King with short cuts.