It’s Still All About LeBron
Maybe I’m reading a little too much into this LeBron quote, but I think I’ve figured out a new wrinkle in the man’s inner being. From the Leader:↵↵⇥Publicly, James will always support his teammates and he seems to be in tune with coach Mike Brown, who got a two-year extension in the winter. But he is clear on what he expects, and that is resounding enough to a Cavs team that regressed this season.
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↵⇥“I am not disappointed in any of my teammates or any of my coaching staff,” James said. “I always want to win. I’ve always been a winner and I am a winner.”↵↵There’s a blatant disconnect there between James’ lack of disappointment and his love of winning. It almost sounds as if all James needs is for his coaches and teammates to not get in his way. Seems consistent with the earlier, “A LeBron James team is never desperate” quote. At this point, he is a one-man team. If others chip in, great, but it’s mostly about
his
abilities,
his
drive,
his
willingness to step up and shoulder the load. Ordinarily, that would catch him serious criticism. But has anyone watched the Cavs this season? Everyone but him is a formality, and as long as they mean well, James ain’t mad at them.
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↵It says a lot about the current state of Cleveland basketball that these statements don’t come off as egotistical, even with the third-person. They’re just the truth. Everyone else is blameless, and James is fine with them doing their best but recognizing that he’s the only real grist in town. Except for Delonte, of course, who says he he wants to return.
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↵P.S. I know that there are more charitable comments by LeBron, but it’s the bold, memorable ones that show you a man’s soul. Those are the ones that leak out when leading falls away, or emotion and pride can’t contain themselves.↵
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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