Come on man. LeBron is a stand up guy? He may not be as big of a jerk as Reggie Miller or Charles Barkley, but you are talking about one of the most arrogant, self centered, egotistic players in the game.
I'm not saying that's a bad thing -- Jordan was the same way in regards to his confidence, but he was very different in the way he went about things -- the difference also is that Jordan could have acted any way he wanted and he was still MADLY LOVED, because people at that time had never seen anyone like him aside from Magic.
So then here comes LeBron, a man who, up until this season (when he started seeing a psychiatrist I might add), was so completely consumed in himself and the media storm that he brought all that negative attention upon himself.
The guy is a basketball icon. You don't think he could have raised $3mil without a spectacle like 'The Decision'? Come on, man!
The man has 'Chosen One' tattooed across his shoulders. Does he think he's Jesus? He used to speak in the 3rd person. His entire life he has been told that he is the best there is and will ever be.
This season LeBron has taken a big step in becoming more like Durant in his communication to the media. No longer is it me, me, me, but it's more 'Team' and 'We'. He is a LONG way from showing us that he can actually be mature, as he's spent so many years doing his own thing on his own terms (remember how he stormed off the court after the game against the Magic, saying "I just wanted to win").
We are witnessing the best in the game right now
. When he does win a ring (which could be this year, or next), it will SURELY silence MANY of the haters out there. But he needs to polish up everything except his game so the media and fans who hate him now, will grow to like and respect him later.
I understand if you're a heat fan and have to defend LeBron, but don't overlook all the things that made him one of the most hated on players. The media may have played one role, but LeBron himself played the LARGEST role.
Me? I'd blame his PR rep
