LeBron James is the undisputed King of the NBA. For decades now, his reign has been supreme. As it feels ever closer to him drawing his curtains close, it feels as though he will end it on a sad note. That would not be the first time he is under a limelight of doubt and hate. Once, boxer Mike Tyson had to come his rescue. He even penned an essay on Sports Illustrated to make his point!
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So, let’s turn our clocks back to 2014. The Miami Heat reached a 4th consecutive NBA Finals and yet, their dominance had only resulted in a 2-2 record. The San Antonio Spurs had been brilliant and had just snatched victory. LeBron James’ career was once again, mired by yet another question mark. Can he save his legacy?
The legacy being a 2-3 record in the Finals. His latest is a big loss and the “easiest target” in sports was once again questioned by many. He is hated and shunned. Mike Tyson jumped to his defence, in a beautiful manner.
“LeBron is just a baby”: Mike Tyson penned a beautiful essay supporting Heat Legend
The boxing legend took to Sports Illustrated to write a letter, called The Case For…..LeBron Love. A heartfelt letter that supported LeBron James against the unending amount of jeers he faced in 2014. Tyson supported him through and through.
Writing to SI, he said,
“LeBron is just a baby; he’s only 29 years old. If he just keeps living positive, living his life, a lot of good things are going to happen to him, even after losing this championship. He has come further than most people in the history of the sport, and he hasn’t reached his peak yet. LeBron has nothing to be ashamed of. He just needs to stay healthy and keep a positive frame of mind. I heard that he called himself the “easiest target” in sports. It’s him and Floyd Mayweather Jr., no doubt about it. LeBron is great. When you comment about him, you get attention. Such and such said LeBron is this He gives light to people’s negativity.”
The comparison between Mayweather and James is apt. Tyson knew what LeBron would be and why his youth mattered. In hindsight, Tyson was right.
LeBron James’ ascension has been incredible since
After Tyson penned the thought, James has since built up a remarkable career. 2 more championships both equally tough and the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, the King truly has a crown of his own.
Tyson too has shed the notorious image over time. These days, he will appear on a podcast and talk about the life-changing experience he had on psychedelic drugs. Moving on, it feels as though his words have had a resonating effect on James.
James’s career might be ending and even if it feels like there is much noise, the chatter is irrelevant. LeBron is one-of-one. He is not a baby anymore. But he is still the King.
