Dear Sports Fans, Stop Hating On Greatness
Start writing a post
Sports

Dear Sports Fans, Stop Hating On Greatness

All-time great athletes like LeBron James and Tom Brady get floods of unnecessary hate, and it's time for that to stop.

103
Dear Sports Fans, Stop Hating On Greatness
Flickr

It’s that time of year again. School is starting to let out, pools are opening, and the sun is shining.

That can only mean one thing—LeBron James is gearing up for another NBA Finals. James will be competing in his eighth straight NBA Championship series, dragging along his band of Cleveland misfits with him. And along with his ninth career Eastern Conference Final victory come the Skip Baylesses of the world, crawling out of the woodwork to try to refute the undeniable: LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time.

Leading a Kevin Love-less Cavs team to a game seven victory in Boston has effectively put the arguments about MJ vs. LBJ to rest. Just about everyone who follows the game has now come to terms with LeBron having overtaken Jordan’s throne as the G.O.A.T.

Yet you still get pundits like Bayless, old-timers who refuse to let go of the past, and 13-year-olds who have “always been Warriors fans” —and are also fond of the Patriots and the Crimson Tide—trying to discount his legacy and denounce his dominance.

Speaking of those teams, they seem to get as much hate as King James every time they start to heat up in their respective seasons. In the last seven years, LeBron, New England, and Alabama have combined for nine championships. James has dominated professional basketball as Bill Belichick and Nick Saban have built unstoppable dynasties in football.

As these men have become the tycoons of their leagues, and as NBA fans gear up for the Finals, one thing has become clear: people love to hate on greatness. If you’re not an Alabama fan, chances are you don’t want to see them win another championship. You probably are tired of pretty boy Tom Brady winning the MVP or the Super Bowl just about every other year.

But if people would stop being so bitter about their teams under-performing compared to these giants, maybe they’d be able to sit back and appreciate the remarkable skills of these coaches and athletes, the likes of whom we may never see again.

Brady, Belichick, Saban, and James are all arguably the greatest at their jobs in sports history, and they’re all doing it at the same time, right in front of our eyes. The fact that so many sports fans attack them, rather than applaud their talent, shows stubbornness and close-mindedness. Imagine if any American spoke badly of Michael Phelps after everything he has accomplished at the Olympics.

Just because these guys aren’t competing on behalf of the United States does not mean you can’t admire what they’re doing and respect their talent.

Now, I’m not saying I think everyone who follows sports should root for the Pats to win another Super Bowl next year. I’m just saying that if you find yourself getting angrier and angrier as Bama continues to steamroll the entire SEC, try to relax and enjoy watching one of the greatest college football dynasties of all time. Sabans don’t grow on trees, after all.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

91733
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

69206
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments