COMMENTARY | LeBron James' dream of winning a title in Miami has turned into a nightmare. The sport-loving world, and then some, knows what LeBron said after Game 6 of the NBA Finals, but let me remind you. According to ESPN, James stated, "All the people that was rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today."
Since Sunday, these comments have been analyzed, criticized, scrutinized, and everything in between. This is not a commentary that looks to regurgitate that coverage; rather, I am pointing out that King James better watch his regal behind, because he has a lot to lose.
King James' Trouble at Court
LeBron's mental collapse eerily resembled Miami's embarrassing late game collapses in the NBA Finals. The Heat's lackluster performance makes James guilty by association, even if he wasn't solely to blame for the loss. James now suffers from Peyton Manning syndrome: a perceived inability to win big games. LeBron's performance in the finals was mediocre.
Take Game 5 for example: Fox Sports points out that James scored 17 with 10 rebounds, one of which was offensive. Is this what we are to expect from the heir of Jordan? More troubling is the fact that James' stomach, or lack thereof, for big games has been questioned before. Enter the great orator Charles Barkley, who, after the Cavaliers' 2010 Game 5 Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, said, "I am 100 percent disappointed -- clearly this was the biggest game of the season, I did not see the aggressor that I needed from an MVP at all," according to the Orlando Sentinel. LeBron's trouble on the court is now coupled with public relations problems.
Words Don't Matter
What James really meant by his comment after the Finals is insignificant; perception is what matters. And many Americans perceived LeBron's comment as a swipe aimed at working-class Americans by a multi-million dollar athlete. Not exactly a winning strategy by the man who wants to be the first billion-dollar athlete, according to CNN Money, especially at a time when America is reeling from 9.1 percent unemployment thanks to the Great Recession. Average Joe realizes that LeBron James lives a more luxurious life than he does, but don't rub it in.
A Lot at Stake
According to Forbes Magazine, LeBron made almost $59 million in the past 12 months. Endorsements made up $34 million of that total sum, which means that James relies heavily on public opinion. Some athletes are polarizing figures and use that to fill their bank accounts. But LeBron does not want to go that route. His Sprite commercials and Nike product lines are designed to attract Americans across all social classes.
James has lost a lot of good faith among these Americans. If you don't believe me, take a look at Gov. John R. Kasich's Resolution making the Dallas Mavericks honorary Ohioans. I think the governor did that for a reason.
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