I still remember when Michael Jordan went to play for the Wizards. By that point in his career, at 38 years old, MJ was about as interested in playing D as Kyrie is in getting vaccinated. But still, no one really gave AF. Why? Well one of the reasons is that when the Wizards played against even the lowliest teams in the NBA, their arenas would sellout because Jordan was coming to town. In other words he was must-watch at an age where most stars have already descended into obscurity. And given his record, no one could question MJ's greatness, even if the team he played on was garbage.
The problem with Lebron, who is currently 37 years old, is that he takes basketball too seriously. He wants to win so bad that when he doesn't, it becomes sort of a mocking point.
If LBJ knew how to relax and take things as given to him, the Lakers would be better than they currently are. Once MJ reached the twilight of his career, he wasn't trying to force himself onto a contender or insist that the Wizards become one through nonstop roster changes, you know, since he already won six championships anyway. Rather, he accepted the luxury of being an accomplished, elder statesman in the game who people simply enjoyed watching play.
That said unlike Jordan, who took a couple of years off and came back less of a player than he originally was, Lebron is still more or less playing like he did over the last decade, just being injured more frequently but even then, not as tender as a lot of players much younger than he is.
Jordan was also wiser than Lebron in that he didn't harp on political or social issues during his playing days. Because of this some people like to label MJ - who btw is still making more basketball-related money than any current player - like he's a sellout or a wuss. But anyone who has been formally trained in the concept of professionalism would likely verify the fact that in the business world, personal beliefs are supposed to take a backseat to income generation. And this doesn't mean that you ignore social issues that are bothering you in the name of making more money - something that even current NBA players get chastised for doing in relation to China. Rather, it's like there's a right and a wrong way to respond to matters.
A nigga making a gazillion dollars a year isn't supposed to react to social issues like us broke niggas do. They can rely on their money and resources, if so desired, to do their talking for them. If instead you decide to go shooting from the lip, not saying Lebron necessarily did so, but you see how many games he's winning now that the NBA isn't backing him like before.
CONCLUSION
Perhaps we have finally reached the point in Lebron James' career where we should just appreciate him more for what he's already accomplished as opposed to expecting him to make it to the Finals every year, you know, at nearly 40 years of age. I still believe there's a possibility things may click for the Lakers, if maybe they get the right kinda player via buyout or whatever. If AD and Lebron get hot and healthy, no team would logically want to face them in the Playoffs. But even if they don't, who really gives AF? It's like give dude a break already.
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