Recently, Sports Illustrated named LeBron James the 2012 Sportsman of the Year. Someone needs to explain to Peyton Manning and I what the definition of sportsman is.
The scene may be less prevalent, less recent and less exhausting today than it was in July of 2010. LeBron James sitting in his director's chair being interviewed on national television, on primetime national television by ESPN, about where he was signing as a free agent that offseason. The selfish and narcissistic spectacle that was cleverly named The Decision forever swayed my opinion of The King, even if my angst towards him has cooled off since that night thanks to time and, well, time. That's honestly about it.
LeBron James proved to me, and likely millions upon millions nation and worldwide, that its LeBron James first and second in his life. Any free agent who thinks its a great idea to design a show about what team you are going to sign with is as closeminded as Lucille Bluth from Arrested Development. Except Lucille actually has a heart, a heart hidden behind money that isn't technically hers and a name she didn't create, but a heart. When has LeBron ever proven that that night was a mistake? Oh sure, he's apologized for it and stated that he would probably have done it differently if he could go back.
Why should I believe him?
The fact that he staged a welcome party with teammates Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade as if these guys were some bigger than life parade that we were all blessed to witness is a whole different story. James "taking his talents to South Beach" and leaving Cleveland the way he did will never be understood for me. I know I should forgive and forget and realize and enjoy the greatest player to play the game of basketball since, SINCE, Michael Jordan. But I can't.
I tried to defend the move when it first happened. I loved LeBron when he first broke into the league as the "young, didn't go to college and look where he is, talented and motivating guy" that he was. James was a specimen, a young star whose potential was as limitless as Bradley Cooper. James landed on a Cleveland Cavaliers team that had no talent or direction, or hope. Until the first time he stepped on a court, because James was the King. James took this team to new heights with guys like Delonte West and Mo Williams, Mike Brown and a washed-up Shaq. He took that team to the Eastern Conference Finals, where he point up that memorable game against the Detroit Pistons when he scored 48 points in overtime. He took them to the NBA Finals in 2007, only to get swept by a respectable and old-fashioned team that didn't have much superstardom or glitter, but fundamentals and competitive drive. He took them to seasons of 60-plus wins and highs that team should have never reached. He didn't just give the Cavaliers hope, he gave Cleveland hope.
Cleveland has been cursed and spit on by sports for half-past forever. The Indians, Browns and whoever plays hockey professionally or on the streets for the town have been bad for as long as Drew Carey has been spitting out comedy. Cleveland doesn't just lose a lot, but they lose in heartbreaking and unlucky ways when they finally start winning, and then go back to losing a lot. Cleveland sucks in terms of sports, and honestly, where the economy has been since James was there, Cleveland sucks in more ways than one. (Its been real Cleveland audience, Merry Christmas). The last thing Cleveland needed was LeBron James leaving them. And the last thing after that was being humiliated on national television as LeBron James left them.
I understand that James had every right to sign with whomever he wanted that offseason. I understand that he had formed a friendship with Wade and Bosh on the U.S Olympic team. I even understand that James has a passion for winning and he was not going to win anything big in Cleveland and that he did give them a long time to surround him with talent. What I don't understand is how a guy can just embarrass a fan base and make an absolute spectacle of himself the way James did, and seemingly have no remorse or problem with doing so. I also don't understand how a guy, a sports player, can lack competition the way James does. James joined forces with arguably the second best player in his conference behind him (Wade) and another top five player in his conference (Bosh, although that's a stretch. In 2010, I can rattle five guys in the East better than Bosh quicker than you can say Bosh- James, Wade, Garnett, Pierce, Rondo, Granger, Johnson, Williams, Howard....). Jordan would have never joined forces with Olajuwon or Malone. Johnson would have never joined forces with Bird. Russell would have never joined forces with Chamberlain. Hate him or love him, Bryant would have never joined forces with Iverson, James or Wade. There is something about playing against your competition and having that guy you want to, need to beat in order to truly earn your rings. James didn't have that and doesn't have that. He took the easy way out and teamed up with his competition since he knew he could not beat them. It got him his ring. At some cost.
Is that the definition of a sportsman? Is that the description of who would get your vote for 2012 Sportsman of the Year?
Or would this one harness more respect from you? A quarterback who in August of 2011 received season-ending neck surgery...three times. He missed the entire 2011 season, only to see his team win two games and end up with the 1st round pick in the NFL Draft. This was the same team that posted the second best winning percentage of the past eight seasons, behind only the New England Patriots. This was the same team that won their respective division just about every season, and was a perennial lock for ten or more wins every year. This team also parted ways with this quarterback at draft time, releasing the Pro Bowler to pave way for their next franchise quarterback, making it seem to easy after all the veteran had given the organization and city.
But he didn't give up. His rehab time was extraordinary, and he signed with the Denver Broncos this past offseason. His return was still in question, people and experts ridiculed the signing calling it a dumb risk that made no sense. One hit and the guy will never walk again, let alone play football again. But John Fox, John Elway and the Broncos believed in him, and above all, he sure as hell believed in himself. He was named the team's starting quarterback for 2012, a short year after going through three neck surgeries.
To begin to describe the intense transition that ensued from leaving a team that drafted you as a rookie some 14 years ago to a totally new city, team, and organization is not fair to the true challenge it is. A new playbook. A new roster with new talent and non-talent surrounding you. A new coaching staff, a new stadium, a new uniform, a new fan base, a new name. A new culture. And he didn't miss a beat. He started slow in the first few weeks, but came on strong once the 2-3 start set in. His competitive drive set in. The quarterback, with bolts and screws in his neck and all, reeled off eight straight wins posting up astronomical and MVP numbers along the way, en route to a 10-3 record and a division title. He shares a drive to win and compete that is second to none, the number one reason I hate when the Ravens play him (don't look at the Week 15 schedule). He loves the game he plays, but he does it humbly. You never hear him gloat or boast or brag, he just shows up for work and wins. And he does it with a team of pretty average players that are better just because of his presence.
Peyton Manning is the 2012 Sportsman of the Year. Any case for LeBron James should be shot down by the preceding three paragraphs, hell, the preceding article. James is the selfish and arrogant player who couldn't win one by himself. Manning is the guy who everyone ruled out and threw to the curb and is now shoving it in their faces just a year later, not boastingly, but in the wins column.
That's my definition of sportsman, whats your's?
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