LeBron and MJ: true colors

LeBron James and Michael Jordan seem to be inextricably linked, particularly whenever the latter is mentioned in the news. Lately, the Cleveland Cavaliers forward has been the object of criticism for his real motivation for calling on NBA players to stop wearing the number 23. Initially, it appeared a truly magnanimous gesture on the part of King James, as he was the lone voice who seemed to voice out this unusual tribute, albeit a few years too late.

Jordan was one of the key factors why LeBron chose to wear the number 23 in the first place. As an ambassador for Nike, Jordan was always on the lookout for the next big talent to bring under the brand’s umbrella, and also to improve his own value in the marketplace. After all, it added great luster to MJ’s image to be able to recruit top talent for the brand, more so if they wore his shoes. However, Jordan was always guarded when he would comment on LeBron, or any budding superstar, for that matter. He would give vague positive comments, somehow

 implying defects or lack of maturity in the aforementioned youngster’s game. After all, Jordan would always be top dog in his own mind.

Now, however, Jordan’s glint has been dimmed by many bad decisions and character flaws. He was a bully and always will be, only now, he’s getting some comeuppance. He was so harsh on his teammates that former Bulls center Bill Cartwright once threatened to hurt him. He believed he was above the system, sarcastically apologizing to his coaches whenever he left the certainty of the triangle offense to take matters into his own hands.

As a Washington Wizards executive, his arrogance hit an all-time high.

He made bad decisions, or at least questionable ones, as when he drafted Kwame Brown with their highest pick, then proceeded to destroy the young center’s ego to the point that, to this day he has never lived up to his potential. Worse, though he was the outsider to the organization, he intimated to friends that he would unseat long-time owner, the genial and well-liked Abe Pollin. Of course, when Jordan decided to come out of retirement again to suit up for the Wizards in a display of hubris that tarnished his career, he had to relinquish his front-office position. Pollin saw to it that Jordan would never become a team executive in Washington again.

Lately, Jordan has been seen trying his old-style trash talking and bullying on a generation of players removed from the awe of actually seeing him play. His embarrassing HORSE experience with unknown Gerald Henderson will make him realize that he is no longer Michael Jordan in big, bold letters. Now, people are anticipating his moves as a team owner in Charlotte.

Which brings us to LeBron. Remember, for the past decade or so, this very young man has been told he is basketball’s savior, a God among men. The documentary “More Than a Game” chronicling his long and successful basketball friendship with his grade school teammates whom he also played with at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s high school, clearly showed how he separated himself from the pack in second year. He was the first high school athlete since Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Speaking of Sports Illustrated, its senior writer Chris Ballard wrote a book entitled “The Art of a Beautiful Game”. The last chapter is called “Prototype: The Anatomy of LeBron James”. Now who wouldn’t get even a little full of himself with something like that?

I saw LeBron James again in Macau for the 2007 NBA China Games.

Honestly, he did not register well for those more familiar with the game. The day before the Cavs were to play the Orlando Magic at The Venetian’s beautiful arena, the Magic played a Chinese selection.

LeBron showed up well after the game began, watched briefly, got bored, then left.

At the reception for media and sponsors and NBA partners, Dwight Howard showed up early, greeted and pressed flesh with practically every single person in the ballroom, personally took photos of himself with some fans, and stayed to chat. King James couldn’t be bothered.

He showed up very late with a big posse, made one round, mostly nodding or half-heartedly raising his hand in greeting. Then departed.

At a Cleveland-Miami game Jordan sat beside Heat head Pat Riley.

LeBron was seen looking over more than a few times, apparently seeking MJ’s approval. Which never came. There will never be the passing of the torch. Jordan still wants it all to himself.

The last three years have been filled with questions about James’s loyalty to his team, with his behavior not really dispelling them. Will he leave for New York or not? Even Tracy McGrady, the new Knicks transferee from Houston, has said he’s willing to take a pay cut in the eventuality that James moves there. Now, critics are pointing out that James probably just wants to hike up his jersey sales to surpass Kobe Bryant’s. The Lakers’ leader has been the league’s top seller, even in China, surpassing Yao Ming a couple of years ago. When Bryant changed jerseys to signify the second half of his career, he did it without fanfare. James has been drawing attention to it for more than a year. Besides, LeBron has been “the man” for a while now, so why should he be wearing somebody else’s number, anyway? Then again, why didn’t he pick a more obscure number, instead of the one worn by Bill Russell and Julius Erving (who have each won championships while LeBron has not)?

James’ aura is so pervasive that, when the dangers of the new collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players were revealed, his name was brought up. The maximum salary for a veteran player would be below half of what James is currently going to get paid. So is James really just bent on being top dog everywhere he goes? Where will it end? Is LeBron’s ego going to match even Jordan’s eventually?

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I would like to express my sympathies to the family of my kumare, Pilipino Star NGAYON sports editor Dina Villena, who passed away this week. I first met Dina 25 years ago, and she was always fun to be around. I’m glad she is finally free of pain and at peace. She will be sorely missed.