Miami Herald columnist Israel Gutierrez writes how he understands some of the disdain fans have for LeBron James in how he left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat. Gutierrez, however, doesn't understand how James is considered the most hated man in sports, according to one poll. That's a reaction that doesn't match the supposed crime, writes Gutierrez. And,...
LeBron James
Miami Herald columnist Israel Gutierrez writes how he understands some of the disdain fans have for LeBron James in how he left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.
Gutierrez, however, doesn't understand how James is considered the most hated man in sports, according to one poll. That's a reaction that doesn't match the supposed crime, writes Gutierrez.
And, sadly, that's the type of response that has become most common -- one that should be expected from the scorned fans in Cleveland, but hardly makes sense for the rest of the world to feel because in the grand scheme he has done very little wrong here.
Almost immediately, James was lumped in with athletes with shattered images such as Tiger Woods, Ben Roethlisberger and Alex Rodriguez. And in some opinions, he has inexplicably surpassed them.
James is deemed more hated than Roger Clemens, Terrell Owens and Donte' Stallworth. And the reasoning, writes Gutierrez, almost is contradictory:
He's hated because he's so full of himself that he wanted to share his stage with other great players. Huh?
The worst thing you can say about James is that he's an egomaniac who leaves something to be desired in the area of tact. But how many of our superstars aren't egomaniacs? And how else would you expect an athlete to respond when he has been elevated to the top of the sports world since he was studying algebra?