Fansided

LeBron James: 5 reasons why “The Essay” feels phony

By Bryce Olin

Nov 27, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Miami won 95-84. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Miami won 95-84. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat players LeBron James (middle) and Dwyane Wade (right) lead their coaches and teammates in celebration during the second half in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat players LeBron James (middle) and Dwyane Wade (right) lead their coaches and teammates in celebration during the second half in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

Maybe, it wasn’t as chummy in South Beach as it appeared

Is it weird that James only mentioned four players in his essay that played with him in Miami?

I can’t say it’s weird, but I can’t say it’s not weird.

I’m sure James is cool with Wade, but I can’t imagine he appreciated Wade’s 28 missed games this season while he shouldered the load. Whether that had something to do with it, most likely, no one will ever know.

As far as the roster was concerned, this was by far the Heat’s least talented team of James’ four years with the team. The guys Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra were counting on never came through. Greg Oden barely left the bench. Michael Beasley was awful. Shane Battier should have retired a season ago and left enough room for the Heat to keep Mike Miller. Ray Allen wasn’t the same this season. Rashard Lewis struggled. Mario Chalmers might have played the worst five-game stretch of his career during the NBA Finals. Udonis Haslem made way too much money than what he could contribute. The list goes on and on.

Sure, James called most of those guys his “brothers.” That means something, but it doesn’t mean that James doesn’t think some of his “brothers” suck at basketball, and that he had to get away from them.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers