Why LeBron Gets Criticized

He’s earned it all by himself

LeBron James doesn’t get it at all, but someone needs to tell him he has no one to blame but himself. He’s the one who has put himself on a pedestal with his mouth and actions. He really doesn’t see how he’s got himself in all this trouble with his public. So, I guess it’s up to me to say why. Someone pass it on to him, please.

He can’t believe he’s not universally loved with all he’s done

• He really wants to be liked, He doesn’t like being the bad guy and has said so.
• He does tons of charity work. He loves kids and likes “giving back”
• He never gets in trouble off the court, No drugs, no arrests, no incidents
• He is engaging, good looking, always smiling and genuinely a nice guy
• He’s a phenomenal basketball player, is always prepared, always plays hard, never challenges his coach
• He’s been an All-Star every year, All- Pro, 3 times All Defensive Team player and too many others to list
• He’s given precious summer off-time to play for Team USA winning 2 Bronze Medals and 2 Gold Medals
• He’s been NBA MVP twice, should have gotten it last year and is on track to win it again this year.
• He’s acknowledged as the best player in the game today, one of the best ever.

He seems almost to good to be true. 
He is a freaky great athlete who has always pushed himself to get the most out of his potential. Even as a teenager he seemed mature beyond his years. All this from a young man who came from what could be kindly described as a broken, unstable and troubled family environment. He deserves much praise and respect for how he has handled himself in so many areas!

So why is he endlessly criticized and mistrusted by the public?
It’s because of the pedestal he has placed himself on with his actions and words. Maybe even with all he’s done, he thinks that he’s a little more special than he is? It’s okay if others idolize you, but people have problems with those who idolize themselves.

The other side of the LeBron story

• He ordained himself KING JAMES before he left high school, he still calls himself KING JAMES…recently painted it on his bike, etc.
• As a pro he made a bold move by selecting for himself Michael Jordan’s number 23…He said as a tribute to his hero. 
• His audacious approach, starting with the KING JAMES, left the clear impression he took 23 because he expected to eclipse Jordan.
• Began referring to his teammates as his “supporting cast.” He wasn’t the only star to do this, but he was the youngest.
• Never won a Championship in Cleveland…making sure everyone didn’t blame him, but blamed his “cast”
• Displayed a reluctance to take charge at the end of games…when the “star” is supposed to want the ball and last shot.
• He denied responsibility for shirking this responsibility, by saying he wasn’t a ball hog and just was passing the ball to the “open” player
• He never seemed to understand the reason those players were open was because they other team wasn’t worried about “them” scoring
• Took the “holier than thou” stance that he was just playing the game it was supposed to be played, refusing to step up, again and again.
• Year after year failed to bring home a Championship…In spite of paying the "right way"...but of course, not his fault.
• Kept increasing demands on management to keep him happy, which they did...they didn't want to lose him to free agency
• Allowed storyline to grow that no matter how he tried, he could never win a Championship in Cleveland…too big a “burden” for even him
• Became increasingly insistent with demands with management to get him the players he wanted…many of whom he got
• Even then, when the playoffs came, he came up weak, playing so poor in games (Celtics) that everyone accused him of(gasp) quitting!
• Never took responsibility for playoff failures, never acknowledged efforts of coaches and management to give him what he wanted
• Drug out free agent signing process…leaving his home team to painfully, publicly twist in the wind waiting for him to decide if he would re-sign
• Made a public spectacle of his announcement on TV, with no courtesy call to his team of 7 years, to alert them he was leaving for Miami
• Alienated many by abandoning Cleveland for Miami so he can have easier road to winning Championships by leaning on Dwayne Wade
• Upon arrival, announced he came came so he could win not 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, not 6, but 7 Championships. Again, Michael Jordan only has 6.
• Continued to frustrate by failing late in games with Miami, just as he had done in Cleveland…Played GREAT until end of game…then folds...still playing the "right way" I guess.
• In playoffs continued to expand his incompetence in the 4^th quarter of games, totally disappearing as a factor, no shots, no points, freezing up.
• Never spoke at press conferences without Dwane, frustrating reporters and others who expect him to stand and speak for himself.
• First season in Miami also loses Championship and it’s his fault, disappearing totally at the end…just as in Cleveland
• Continues to act the big shot role seemingly unaware of his lack of Championship validation…special, entitled, above everyone who is not a superstar
• Still makes lame efforts to, on top of everything, be beloved by all, posing as a humble man of the people, as if he didn’t see himself as KING JAMES.
• Repeatedly insults everyone’s intelligence with interviews saying ingratiating things like '…sure, he’d love to come back to play in Cleveland.'
• Stays oblivious to his role in creating unrest and confusion with his statements…such as how should the Miami fans react to his Cleveland comments?
• Belittles critics as making irrational knee jerk criticisms..."If anything goes wrong anywhere in the world...blame LeBron" ...as he continues to deny that his actions have anything to do with it...thinking he's the innocent victim of unjustified attacks.

He’s criticized because others see what he can’t

• He’s an insanely talented, hard working athlete who is monstrously compensated and who believes in his heart he is the greatest athlete of all time. He may be that good, but…
• It’s hard for the rest of us common folk to enjoy him admiring himself in the mirror as he asks us to accept him as a humble man of the people who we should love as a close friend.
• In spite of his regular season heroics, it’s hard for us to treat him with the same respect as those who have actually fought and won Championships. Not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5 but 6!!!! …Or even 11, like Bill Russell with the Celtics! Lebron has 0. So calm down Lebron,
• Even if he wins a Championship, we aren’t going to be that impressed with it if he free loads off Dwayne Wade in the 4^th quarter and especially in the final seconds of the game, since that’s when most playoff games are won in the NBA. If you are the GREATEST…BE THE GREATEST!!!

And even if he wins one and makes the game winning shot…super duper. Get back out there, concentrate on your business and win several more. That way it will be easier to tolerate your self worshipping KING JAMES act!

Note: Hopefully this will help the fine young man understand his role in creating the reasons behind the criticism. 

What Lesson Did Jeremy Lin Learn?

A "nobody" becomes a world wide sensation!

• Last year he bounced around the league, getting cut twice and playing in the Development League. 
• In December he got picked up by the Knicks who also rarely played him and twice came close to cutting him themselves. 
• Eight games ago they were forced to start him because they had run out of players. 

The rest is history. In two weeks his play has captured the imagination of the world. He’s scored an NBA All time record for first time starters, 200 points and had the second most All time record assists with 78! And more importantly the previously lifeless Knicks have sprung to life under his leadership at the point guard position, winning an incredible 7 of 8 games!

He’s the talk of the basketball world! He’s the talk of the sports world! All in two sensational weeks.

What is he doing different from last year?
It’s only one year. He couldn’t have improved THAT much, so “what is the difference”? That’s the exact question a reporter asked him last Sunday immediately after their last game. Here’s his answer…

“Last year I tried to fit in, I wanted to do exactly what they wanted me to do. I didn’t want to make any mistakes. I played too careful, too cautious. I didn’t feel comfortable. I didn’t feel relaxed.”

One thing he learned about that, it didn’t work.

What’s he doing this year?

“This year I decided I was going to play my way. I was going to be aggressive. I was going to do what the coach wanted but I wasn’t going to hold back. I didn’t know if I would get another chance. 

I didn’t know if I was good enough to have a career in this league but if I didn’t make it, it wasn’t going to be because I didn’t give myself a chance. No matter what happened, I decided I wouldn’t back down, I would stay aggressive and on the attack. I was going to give it everything I had. I decided I wouldn’t back down for any reason and that’s what I have been doing.”

One thing we’ve all learned from observing this, that approach works!

The BIG lessons on Winning for us?

1. When you get your chance to prove yourself, your chance to shine, give it everything you have. Be aggressive, don’t hold back. If you played scared, cautious, timid…you have no chance.
2. The same person who has the potential to be a sensational star can turn into a nobody by being too careful and tentative. When you get your chance to perform in the spotlight, that’s not the time to start thinking about fitting in or to start worrying about what happens if you fail.
3. When your moment comes, focus hard on winning and doing everything in your power to make it happen. You do everything in your power to put yourself in a position to win. Give it everything you have and if that’s not good enough, at least you won’t have any regrets

Learn the lesson Jeremy Lin learned…the biggest rewards only go to those with the COURAGE to lay it all on the line when they get their opportunity! 

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Related: 6 Lessons on Winning from the Knicks Jeremy Lin

6 Lessons On Winning From The Knicks Jeremy Lin

There’s nothing like a live example

You can read all the books, blogs and articles you want on winning but never make the impact of seeing a real live example.

Last week Jeremy Lin provided just such a stunning example. 
The NY Knicks were in big trouble. Their season has had a disastrous start. Their coach has been under attack by the fans and media…a lot of suggestions he should be fired. Their desperately needed but injured point guard Baron Davis wasn’t going to be available for quite a while. On top of all this, last week they lost their 2 biggest stars, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire out of action. It was crisis time in New York. Things now could only get worse!

Turned out to be a perfect situation for a miracle.
Only because he had no other choice, last week Coach Mike D’Antoni put in the seldom used point guard, from Harvard of all places, Jeremy Lin, into the starting line up. The team was decimated and they were slumping even with their stars. Now they had no stars and an unproven back up player running the team. Everyone expected the worst but what happened next is the stuff of legend. If you want the whole amazing story check this out.

Here’s the Summary
After 1 week and 4 games, this young star pulled off one of the most electrifying performances in the history of the NBA. He led the Knicks to 4 straight wins, scoring over 20 points in each game. In fact in the last game he scored 38 points as they beat, on national television in front of 20,000 screaming fans, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers! In one week his story has spread around the world. (Update: he's now won 5 games, and has scored 108 points, the most points of any first time starter in 5 games since 1976, and the biggest name worldwide in sports right now.)

Let’s see what we can learn about winning from this astonishing story:

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare! One day your opportunity will come. At that point it’s up to you. If you meet the challenge you can change your life forever! Jeremy was ready.
2. One dynamic person can change the whole team dynamic. Enthusiasm is contagious! Jeremy plays with energy and a love for the game that has caused the totally average players on his team to play like they are all-stars! Their attitude and energy has turned around instantly.
3. What was bad for others turned out to be an opportunity for him. If you are running a team, treat all your people with respect because the time will come when you need them to step up and deliver. 
4. When he was put in the starting line up, he attacked. He was timid. He wasn’t hesitant. He didn’t apologize about being there. He focused on the job he had to do. He made up his mind to make an impact and to have no regrets. He knew he couldn’t control the results but he could control his effort, attitude and enthusiasm.
5. He deflected praise when things started going well and gave all the credit to his team. He refused to take credit. He kept his team and coaches in the spotlight. He kept his focus on what was coming next. He said “We’re hoping and preparing for the best, expecting the worst and we’ll take whatever happens.” He’s staying humble. He knows it’s only one week and they have a long season in front of them.
6. If you keep working your dreams can come true! As he told the reporter after the Laker game “This is everything I’ve dreamed about happening”. 

Success like this isn’t an accident. 
It happens because people are doing a lot of the right things. The best way to put yourself on a winning track is to learn as much as you can from stories like this and apply the lessons to your situation.

Jeremy Lin has been on a winning track for a long time. He has been working hard to develop his skill, his craft, his command of the game. In the world of professional basketball he was largely unknown, but that didn’t keep him from working.

All happened this past week is that he got his chance to show the world he what he can do…and now the whole world knows!

Nowitzki Gives Romo Bad Advice

Well meaning advice isn’t always true

When the Dallas Cowboys were getting beat week after week early in the 2011 season they got a lot of criticism. They were hugely talented and expectations were for them to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders.  Super Bowl contenders are supposed to win. When they kept getting beat the criticism came in loud and clear from all corners. To the rescue came local basketball hero Dirk Nowitzki fresh off the Dallas Mavericks recent NBA championship.

Dirk gave encouragement—and really bad advice
Dirk told quarterback Tony Romo and the others that they shouldn’t worry. He reminded them the Mavericks, formed in 1980, had gone without ever winning an NBA Championship until this year and Dirk himself had been with the team since 1998. But, Dirk continued, “if you just keep on working to improve eventually your day will come and you’ll win a Super Bowl.”

Wrong, wrong, wrong! The Cowboys bought this lie—hook, line and sinker. The pressure was off—they could relax. The sting of defeat was not nearly as bad because they now happily believed that eventually they would win. It was inevitable...Dirk said so! 

No one is ever guaranteed a championship
Unfortunately, championships are never inevitable. You have to go win them. You have to beat someone who wants it just as bad as you. You have to fight. You have to give it everything you have. If the Cowboys were aware of the perhaps they wouldn’t have finished this season with such a spineless underachieving performance and let themselves get knocked out of the playoffs by the mediocre New York Giants.

This team needs a reality check - bad. They need to be jolted with the truth that no one is ever guaranteed success. Just because you’re talented and think you work hard doesn’t entitle you to anything. The world owes you nothing. Don’t ever think they are going to mail you a trophy just because you worked up a sweat. Sweat and hard work is what everyone does. 

All hard work does is give you is a CHANCE to win
In the real world you can work hard for years and years, pay an incredible price, make incredible sacrifices and still never win the “big one.” When you work hard, you take things seriously. You sacrifice and pay the extra prices. But that’s just practice and preparation. All you’re doing is putting yourself in a position to win your championship. Sooner or later the time will come where you actually have to go play the game, compete and win it. The Dallas Cowboys don’t act like they understand this part of winning and as a result, for almost 20 years, they have underachieved at the end of the season, piling up one disappointment after another for their fans to endure.

There is a fine line between mediocrity and greatness and when you think you are entitled to win you always get beat. Wake up, Cowboys.

Winner's Book Club Selection of the Week: When the Game Was Ours

What are their Winner Credientials?

These men are basketball legends and hardly need introduction. Together Bird and Johnson collected eight NBA Championships and six MVP awards.

Book Description

From the moment these two legendary players took the court on opposing sides, they engaged in a fierce physical and psychological battle. In Celtic green was Larry Bird, the hick from French Lick, with laser-beam focus, relentless determination, and a deadly jump shot, a player who demanded excellence from everyone around him and whose caustic wit left opponents quaking in their high-tops. Magic Johnson was Mr. Showtime, a magnetic personality with all the right moves. Young, indomitable, he was a pied piper in purple and gold. And he burned with an inextinguishable desire to win.
 
Their uncommonly competitive relationship came to symbolize the most thrilling rivalry in the NBA—East vs. West, physical vs. finesse, old school vs. Showtime, even white vs. black. Each pushed the other to greatness, and, helping to save a floundering NBA. At the start they were bitter rivals, but along the way they became lifelong friends.   
 
With intimate detail, When the Game Was Ours transports readers to an electric era and reveals for the first time the inner workings of two players dead set on besting each other. It is a compelling portrait of two giants of the game, during professional basketball’s best times.

Read the Amazon Exclusive Q&A with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson

Have you read this book? If so, did you enjoy it and if not, do you plan to read it?

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