Why does Dirk get a free pass when he misses key shots or make careless passes, but when Lebron doesn't do nightly heroics he's not clutch?
Throughout Lebron's career in Cleveland, people have been saying he's not clutch, he's not this, he's not that. As soon as Derrick Rose and Dirk Nowitzski have the same problem of trying to lead teams with only one super star they say "Oh, well they don't have any help." How can you win two MVP's, lead your team to 66 and 61 wins and not close out games?
Michael Jordan didn't start to win championships until Scottie Pippen got to his all star form. Michael Jordan was also one of my all time favorite players, however I'm a realist. Scottie Pippen did all of the dirty work. He held the best player on the other team, he was the point foward and handled the ball more than anyone else. All Jordan had to do was score when he needed to. When people say that Lebron should be able to win a championship by himself it makes no sense. No one has ever won a championship by themselves. It can't be done.
Lebron James is being tarred and feathered and branded with the scarlett letter because he decided to leave a losing team and join Dwayne Wade in Miami. Was "The Decision" spectacle a good idea? NO! It was the worst thing he could've done. BUT, was he within his rights legally and morally to leave Cleveland and go to a team that had another super star and a very good chance of winning a championship? YES! People are so hung up on how he left Cleveland and its time to get over it and move on. There are others who are upset because Lebron made this bold, yet smart career move early in his career instead of at the end like other former NBA players who never won ring, ala Charles Barkely.
Let's face it. Lebron James did what many former NBA players wish they had the smarts and guts to do. Because Lebron had the gumption to take his future into his own hands he's hated. I can't even begin to wrap my head around how a person can be so villified for making an intelligent career choice for himself instead of waiting to be traded off like cattle by an owner.
Perhaps Dirk is more respected because he's been with the Dallas Mavericks his entire career, around 13 years. This may be his last chance to get a ring. People are rooting for Dirk and I understand that, but lets be fair when it comes to dishing out the criticism. Dirk made a horrible pass in game 3 and then missed a potential game winning shot. Dirk has a history of being mentally weak when things don't go his way. He also has a history of yelling at and blaming his teammates for his mistakes. His flaws shouldn't be overlooked just because he happens to be playing against one of the most hated players in the NBA finals right now.
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