Do We Still Hate LeBron?

What’s  happening kinfolk, let me holla at y’all for a bit. Now that the NBA Draft has come and gone, I find myself asking the question, was the next “LeBron James” name called by commissioner Adam Silver.  No, you didn’t read that line incorrectly,  I’m not looking for arguably the next G.O.A.T.  Ladies and gents, I’m looking for he next “most shaded on”  basketball player EVER! 

Sure, MJ was 6 for 6 in the Finals - Kobe and Magic Johnson have 5 rings each - I can’t leave out Bill Russell and his 10 championships, although most do when bringing up G.O.A.T status.  Shade thrown on these greats are minimum; LeBron James may as will be sitting under the biggest oak tree on planet earth (that’s beaucoup shade if you speak French).  

After another loss, LeBron now has a 3-6 Finals Loss. I’m quite sure a substantial swath of the basketball population that jumped for joy as the Golden State Warriors finished off a 4-game sweep of LeBron’s Cleveland Cavaliers.  We’ve had a few weeks to digest the finals, my question now is, will the haters continue to hate LeBron, or will they find another object of their shaderation?

Anointed “the chosen one”, from day one, can be a heavy burden for most athletes to carry; James has not only lived up to the hype,  but has exceeded it, my humble opinion.  For the past 15 seasons and counting, LeBron has been in a lose-lose situation.  I know most of you are stats folks; stats folks rely solely on the numbers to quantify the greatness of an athlete.  LeBron’s got the numbers to easily put him in GOAT status, 7th in points, and 11th in assists all time.  He’s the best small forward of all-time, yeah, even better than Larry (Bird) Legend.  I know, I know, but LeBron’s 3-6 in the Finals.  I’m here to tell you, come up with another argument.  

Unless you’re Stevie Wonder, you can easily see that James is one of, if not the best ball player to ever lace up a pair of hi-tops.  You can argue he’s not clutch, but clearly that’s not the case. James has 5 playoff buzzer beaters; MJ and Kobe have 5 combined.  James’s 34.9ppg average in game 7’s is freaking ridiculous. I could go on-and-on with stats, but I won’t.  I’ll listen to legitimate reasons for thinking LeBron isn’t the G.O.A.T.  What I won’t entertain are these lame points: LeBron is a cry-baby, LeBron doesn’t have killer instinct, the Eastern Conference is weak, LeBron isn’t clutch, etc.  

NOW LEBRON IS A LOS ANGELES LAKER!

LET THE HATE CONTINUE! 

In my humble, LeBron James can retire today, and he’ll be the greatest basketball player ever.  Of course my opinion is always up for debate, but like my 2-year old daughter says. “Daddy is always right.”