The Cavaliers: A Hate Story
Start writing a post
Sports

The Cavaliers: A Hate Story

The hatred behind Lebron James finally explained.

9
The Cavaliers: A Hate Story
Sporting News

As game 7 of the NBA Finals comes to a close, no one can explain the support surrounding the Golden State Warriors. Obviously, having the MVP of the whole league and the numerous records they have broken helps their popularity. But what remains a mystery is where the sudden hatred of the Cleveland Cavaliers erupted from. The answer for me was simple: Lebron James.

While he holds records and seems to play the game with ease, his attitude has always greatly detracted from anything he could ever do on the court. His over the top reactions to doing things that are simply expected for someone who is as big and athletic as he is made him seem like nothing more than the child he entered the NBA as. However, there is much more to the story than that.

The ESPN documentary "I Hate Christian Laettner" covers the story of a player very similar to Lebron James. Christian Laettner is known as Duke University's most infamous basketball player due to his cocky attitude and extremely physical style of play. In the documentary, Rob Lowe makes 5 points as to why he was so hated despite his success on the court. Two of those points, being great and being a bully, radiate from Lebron James in every play.

Greatness is something every athlete strives for. However, when a player on an opposing team is great all the time, fans get angry. It's hard to watch your team struggle against one of the best players to ever play basketball year after year. For people outside of Ohio, James' return to Cleveland only meant more trouble. After drafting Kyrie Irving in 2011, The Cavaliers began building the foundation of a great team. In 2014, Cleveland made a power play by acquiring Lebron James and Kevin Love. But because Irving was the only player to be drafted by and stay loyal to the Cavaliers, Cleveland would never be known as the great team they would become. Because most of the Golden State Warriors' players were not stars on their former teams or were drafted by Golden State, they were regarded as "built by the City" and respected more because of it.

The most obvious reason for hatred towards James is his role as the bully. Standing at 6'8 and 250 pounds, he is a giant for a small forward and is astonishingly athletic. Watching him play often mimics that of a father playing with his young son. In this playoff series, James' tears of joy will be overshadowed by his taunting expression after blocking and talking trash to a much smaller, Stephen Curry. I have no doubts that Lebron James is a Hall of Fame caliber player. However, his attitude which reminds me of the high school bully who needs a good punch to the jaw has given Cleveland a terrible reputation.

While Kyrie Irving tore apart the Warriors' defence all series, he did not once feel the need to get in someone's face over it. James should take a page from Kyrie Irving's book and learn to grow up. James is now 31 and is now proving those who believe he missed out by skipping college right. Some don't learn about the importance of maturity until it is too late.

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.

92121
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?

70836
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