LeBron James did not request to be the NBA face, now calls for a change

Lebron James is over negativity.

Light Anthony Edwards speaking during all-star weekend which Does not want to be the next face of the leagueThis reporter asked James on Thursday if that role is something James even Requested – or was it just on it.

James made it clear that the ceremonial position was no longer bred as once, and an alarming fact considering the level of sacrifice that it would be achieved, including the fusion of a flawless image, to avoid polemically and, oh, just the best player in the world.

“Channing Frie said that … Why do you want to be the face of the league when all people who cover our game and talk about our game everyday – t everyone?” James said. “When you have that responsibility, it’s just weird.”

James is used for examination. He was marked with a “selected” sport illustrated when he was 17 years old. He has since been criticized for almost every passage and was shot. Through James, piercing universal records in 2023. year, the trainer of Spurs Gregg Popovic was looking for his favorite James’ memory. Instead of talking about the game that won the game, thunderous Dunk or Fadeaway jumper over three counsel, Popovich mentioned James’s calm despite criticism for Pundit.

“They would just deal with negative,” Popovich said. “And that was somehow negatively negative in some way. The guy was doing everything great.”

Well, in James’s eyes, things got worse over the years, and now they arrive until the trial.

Many NBA players – including James and Kevin Durant – Believe that the discourse around the game was declining. Instead of an amazing talent Steph Curry You are celebrating or the fact that James, at 40. years, as if two decades of younger praise or grass skills were announced, people just want to focus on negatively.

There are too many 3s. The game is boring. Current players ruined the sport. Versions of these statements are regularly discussed on national shows.

Some NBA players thought it was especially rude when the NHL Defenseman PK, including the NBA, including his first star and ankle pain. Subban said “you don’t get my respect” if you don’t play abolished.

To put things in perspective, James is not one to take off the games. He played in 301 of the 335 possible back in his career, including all seven this season, According to the ESPN.

Whether His points were fair, it is strange that the former hockey player gave time to criticize one of the biggest basketball players of all time. Of course, the NHL is excluded from a successful 4 nations of the face tournament, while the NBA struggled to meet with their signature for the weekend. But would james ever ever go to espn to fish NHL? There is no way.

Somehow, the ripping of the NBA became a sport that seemed seemingly more celebrated from the game within four lines.

The criticism is fair. Players know that.

But there is a strong belief in the NBA circles to dip in NBA TV viewers has nothing to do with the fall of talent, but, but, it stems from the dialogue of self-cultivation around the sport. Of course, Drama gained views. However, there is a thin line between production intrigue and telling fans that the product they look at are not worth their time.

ESPN Personality Stephen A. Smith felt like James’s comments were directed towards him and defended himself Friday. Smith believes NBA players can’t stand any Criticism.

He leaned to point out what perceived as James’s wrong years, including James announced his decision to bring his talents in Miami in the transferred TV specialization, “self-impregnation at his height.”

Smith also blamed the fuel james Cleveland Cavaliers The owner of the day Gilbert gathers NBA owners to make the former NBA Commissioner David Stern da NIKS send trade Chris Paul on Los Angeles Lakers In 2011. Years. Smith said Gilbert “was salty as Lebron James managed and how the stars took control.”

But let’s be real: If James’s biggest hiccups in the last two decades were sparingly tv especially, he would spend good that it was good given the intense microscope that was below. So why was his name still dragged through the mud every day on TV?

James is not the only recipient of the criticism that players consider unfair.

Smith and Charles Barkley were both placed in Durant for their leadership skills. But those who know him best believe it is fake. When asked about that narrative, Anthony Edwards said Fox“I think it’s bulls – t.” Clipters Tironn Lue coached, speaking Fox Sports, “How can you question his leadership? He plays every night. He wants to play 42, 43 minutes night. And he is the winner. And the winner is.

In the meantime, Durant said Fox In April 2023. He believes he was constantly presented because they did not give it Pandid Real Fodder. “You can’t see the flaws in my game clearly,” Durant said. “Or in my personality, out-of-court things, I have no great stain. So you have to find something.”

As far as James is concerned, it is sick of it.

In fact, he took him to the X on Friday to say that he was happy to be this conversation in the news.

“It’s not about” Face Match “and it’s not about a person or one show, it’s about a culture of basketball, the most beautiful matches in the world,” James wrote. “Our game has never been better. Amazing young stars from all over the world and some older.

“Steph Curri should be all we talk about how excellent OKC and the songs were this season, as well as how and they do. And if players do not perform and do not perform players.”

James not only screams in the void.

He tried to do something to change the narrative around the game launching podcast “mind in mind” next to now Lekers trainer JJ Redick. His goal was to honor and dissect the game in a thoughtful way than she feels like talking about it.

The podcast was canceled when Redick received Lakers gig last summer. But James would like to see that the game was more often watching the game through that prism.

Really, the NBA succeeds in the most account metrics. Let’s not forget that Disney, Comcast and Amazon recently agreed on a 11-year-old agreement on the League of Approximately $ 76 billion, setting up the NBA record and the length of the contract.

And James is right, it’s so much to be in fear now.

James game on an unprecedented level for someone in her 22. season, breaking every record in books. Curri, which is widely considered the biggest shooters all the time, on Thursday it was performed from the performance 56 points against Orlando. And Durant recently defied the logic showing that a player could better play better after he suffered torn Achil ‘in 2019. Years.

James is likely to take a season or two away from retirement. Curri and Durant, who are both 36, aren’t far behind him.

Why don’t we enjoy the three best players of all time while they’re around?

Not to mention, there are 10 teams in the Western Conference with a record of .500 or better. The Warriorswho won four championships in eight years, look like they could be a candidate again. Lakers won 16 of their last 20 games. Cavaliers and Thunder They have historical seasons. And during the Super Ball Week, the biggest line of story in sports was Luka Doncic traded on the abuters.

There is a lot to be excited.

And the future of the league looks promising, with young superstarities Edwards, Victor Vembaniama And Doncic everyone is trying to win their first championship and put names in history books.

It’s this much for sure: It’s not good if one of these people decide not to want to fill James’s shoes as the next face of the league.

Something needs to be changed. But as things are standing now, James understands why Edwards wants to apologize from that race.

“I feel an ant,” James said. “I understand, I completely understand. This is the weird energy when it comes to it.”

When James asked if he wanted to be the face of the league, he said, “I didn’t ask for it.” But he admitted that it was when it happened, he accepted the responsibility that came with that honor.

“I’ve always taken it seriously and (realized) from the beginning what the professional was about and what was the role model,” James said. “So try to keep it with the greatest respect and honor.”

James did that part of it.

Now is the time to stay us to work.

We need to celebrate the talent around us before it is too late.

If the guys like the Edwards wants to come out their light to be feared, maybe we need to catch a cold, look hard for what happens before it’s too late.

Melissa Rohlin is a writer of NBA for Fox Sports. She has previously covered the league for illustrated sports, the Los Angeles Times, news about the flow in the Gulf San Antonio Express-West. Follow it on Twitter @Melissarohl.

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