Lebron is Worthy of The Throne

[eS El Duque]

By Bomani Jones
Special to Page 2

How good is it to be LeBron James right now? For years, the league has searched for the next Whatshisname, and it really might have found him this time. His game is sick, his teammates get along with him on and off the court, and he claims to only be 19 years old. (I still wonder if there's a little Almonte on his birth certificate.)

   LeBron James
There's no doubt LeBron's lived up to everyone's expectations.
It's a cliché to say how shocked the world is that LeBron has lived up to the hype, but it's also amazing how much he improved between his rookie year and now. It's a quantum leap that measures up to the bounds that Shaquille O'Neal made between his first two seasons. If this is only the beginning, we're in for a fantastic 15 to 20 years.

But this isn't the first time a new Whatshisname has grabbed our attention in the early going, and so it might be instructional for LeBron to revisit those who trod this path before. Most of these guys are still in the league, but they've long since proven to be imposters when it comes to measuring up to Whatshisname. As LeBron ascends and becomes the top candidate to be pictured in the next version of the NBA logo, he should stop and thank all those earlier pretenders to the throne for making it so obvious that he's what we've been waiting for ever since Whatshisname retired the second time.

First, Bron Bron needs to thank Carmelo Anthony. While it once seemed that Bron and 'Melo would take the league to new heights together, there's been a sort of a Wham!-ish imbalance between them lately. The last six months have been hard on 'Melo. The indelible images of his sulk on the bench in Athens were bad enough, and then he was arrested for possessing what he claims was his buddy's marijuana. (With an affidavit to back him up, I'm inclined to believe him.)

Next, 'Melo started the season so poorly that Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik was nearly compelled to take him out of the starting lineup. The worst, however, was his appearance on a DVD called "Stop Snitchin," a warning to dope dealers in Baltimore about the occupational hazards of turning states' evidence. Being on the DVD is bad. But saying, as he did, that he'll put "money on (someone's) brain" is worse. In fact, it might be as dumb a thing to say as there is.

The first Whatshisname would never get himself into any of those situations.

Nor would the next one. In fact, Bron Bron and Allen Iverson were the only two players to leave the USA Olympic team with improved images. James' play was outstanding enough to make the world second-guess the almost-always-right Larry Brown. 'Melo, on the other hand, left with his face in a towel.


Bron Bron would be well-served to thank Vince Carter, also. Most observers took Vince out of the next Whatshisname running a while ago; by now, even his most ardent supporters have to agree that VC has lost his spot in the Whatshisname standings. His game isn't nearly as explosive as it once was. Whathisname never went this deep into a season averaging only 16 points a game.

But Bron Bron really needs to thank 'Air Canada' (can't even call him that anymore now, can we?) for being the perfect foil for his ascension in an early-December game between the Cavs and the Raptors. James had one of those games that used to make me shake my head (before I got used to his crazy numbers): 27 points, six boards, 10 assists. Vince had no retort; he was on the oak with a case of food poisoning. That seems appropriate, in a way.

But Bron Bron's extra-special thanks ought to go to Kobe Bryant. A couple of years ago, Kobe Bean seemed destined to be the next Whatshisname. Certainly, no one has ever worked so hard to play the part. He wanted the job like Letterman wanted to host "The Tonight Show," and his resume indicated that he'd be up to the task.

That was before we got to know Kobe Bean. Where he was once viewed as an aloof prodigy, he's now evolved into the least likable superstar in recent memory. People always look at numbers and PR when they go in search of the next Whatshisname, and they ignore two other important and essential requirements in the making of a transcendent star. To conquer the world, an athlete must either be: A.) someone with whom folks could see themselves hanging out; or B.) someone with whom folks wish they could hang out.

Among the younger crowd, AI fits that former bill, if for no other reason than his casual dress code makes it unlikely he'll ever want to kick it somewhere that requires slacks. (We don't like slacks.) Whatshisname set the standard in the second category. I wish I had slacks nice enough to wear to a party with him. He is handsome, smooth, and cool, the kind of cat most of us envision ourselves being in our most ambitious dreams.

We wanted to be like him. Most of us still do.

At this point, nobody wants to be like Kobe. Nobody. Nobody likes the thought of Kobe telling the fuzz in Colorado about Shaq's alleged marital transgressions. Nobody likes that he ran Shaq and Phil out of Los Angeles. Nobody likes a guy who calls and threatens his friend over something he didn't personally witness -- especially a hulking friend who could beat the brakes off of just about anybody.


And nobody likes having to read that stuff in the sports section. Sports fans like boxscores at least as much as gossip; Bryant has been giving us too much of the latter.

Kobe Bean was way more likable when we didn't know anything at all about him. Now, we know too much; and half of what we've learned, we wish we could forget. Eight years after he entered the league, it seems as if Kobe never left high school.

And so we have LeBron. We have his incredible hops, those insane statistics and a level of self-awareness necessary to Whatshisname status. It would be impossible for LeBron to use his talents properly if he didn't understand the role he plays on his team and in his league, and maximizing those talents requires comfort with that role. It's obvious that LeBron knows he's the future.

That's why he's taken to showing up to Gund Arena in suits. He knows he has a franchise on his back, and he knows he has a league that needs him. When stars attack fans and superstars tarnish themselves, the league desperately needs somebody to carry it to where it wants to go, and do it in -- and with -- style.

If it wasn't obvious whose job that is before, it is now. Much easier to see without all those pretenders in the way, don't you think?

Bomani Jones writes a monthly column for www.blacksportsnetwork.com, and a weekly music column for AOL BlackVoices. Questions, comments, praise, and hate mail are welcome at bomani@bomanijones.com.

[PLANT]

Great read there...Thanks

What do you think of that NIK 

[Azn_Bling]

Lebron is definitely Worthy of The Throne...

All those people that said he "wasn't ready for the NBA" because he just came out of high school must now BOW DOWN..

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

What do you think of that NIK 

All I've got to say is look how many players were playing their best during their sophmore season: Keith Van Horn, Juwan Howard, Michael Bradley, Penny Hardaway, Travis Knight, Predrag Drobnnjak, Ricky Davis, Kerry Kittles, Jamal Mashburn, Brevin Knight, Nene, Ira Newble, Greg Ostertag, Anthony Peeler, Stromile Swift, Damon Stoudamire, Jason Terry, Samaki Walker, Whang Zhizhi, Clarence Weatherspoon, and the list goes on…You see, these are players who reached their peek during their sophmore season, and from there, only went downhill…I don’t see LeBron improving his game a whole lot next season or the season after that…He’s the type of player who ages fast and probably has already reached his prime…Another thing, why does an article about LeBron James always end up bashing Kobe? It seems to me like most of the LeBron lovers are Kobe haters and will do anything to tarnish Kobe’s name and put LeBron above it…There’s just no way…Kobe has accomplished way too much to be compared to a sophmore who has never even seen the playoffs…PeACe

[eS El Duque]

^^ LoL 

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

I'm not saying that LeBron isn't an excellent player, I'm just saying that all the idiots who are saying he's the "future greatest" really need to stop that, because he hasn't really done that much yet...If you remember, Ricky Davis (now a bench player in Boston) was averaging all-star numbers when playing for Cleveland...It might seem like I'm hating, but I'm just defending the dignity of basketball...People are making fools of themselves left and right for talking up LeBron like he's a Jordan or a Magic...You can't respect that?

[eS El Duque]

It's his second year...if he makes the playoffs with his team..im saying he'll be the next Jordan.

oh and btw...Lebron was putting up all-star numbers last year too..and Ricky Davis is a different type of player than Lebron..i thought you watched basketball 

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

It's his second year...if he makes the playoffs with his team..im saying he'll be the next Jordan.

oh and btw...Lebron was putting up all-star numbers last year too..and Ricky Davis is a different type of player than Lebron..i thought you watched basketball 

So what if they're different type of players? My point was that Ricky Davis, a bench player for the Boston Celtics, was putting up All-Star numbers for Cleveland when he was playing in Cleveland...How does me watching basketball change that? You need a better argument than that...LeBron James is a very good player, but there is no proof or even a strong argument for comparing him to Jordan...He's not even a year and a half into the league for fucks sake...Who's to say he's not another Vince Carter, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, or one of those excellent players who fell off after their first few years...Jordanesque? Not quite yet...Excellent player? Yes.

[7even]

The most important factor is if a excellent player is injury prone or not.. Hill and Carter had much potential but both are injuriy prone. LeBron is not long enough in the league to tell if he is injury prone or not, but I kinda have the feeling that he isnt.. he looks like a rather tough guy.

[eS El Duque]

It's his second year...if he makes the playoffs with his team..im saying he'll be the next Jordan.

oh and btw...Lebron was putting up all-star numbers last year too..and Ricky Davis is a different type of player than Lebron..i thought you watched basketball 

So what if they're different type of players? My point was that Ricky Davis, a bench player for the Boston Celtics, was putting up All-Star numbers for Cleveland when he was playing in Cleveland...How does me watching basketball change that? You need a better argument

Ricky is a pure scorer..he ain't a "big" influence in a game..he';s a second choice dude. Lebron is a first choice dude, lebron is the type of guy you want taking that last minute shot (jsut like Kobe and any other #1 dude on a team)....btw, Lebron had better numbers in his rookie year than Ricky ever had in his time with the Cavs. Thats why you can't compare him to Lebron. Ricky never had the power to change the outcome of a game.

And Lebron is getting Jordan type numbers in almost every catogary hsi last two years, thats why i compare him to JORDAN and not anyone else. unless lebron falls off, ima keep doing it.

Btw, Grant Hill has made an awesome come back 

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

The most important factor is if a excellent player is injury prone or not.. Hill and Carter had much potential but both are injuriy prone. LeBron is not long enough in the league to tell if he is injury prone or not, but I kinda have the feeling that he isnt.. he looks like a rather tough guy.

It's not even about injury...So many other players who were never injured had their best season during their sophmore year...Go figure.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

It's his second year...if he makes the playoffs with his team..im saying he'll be the next Jordan.

oh and btw...Lebron was putting up all-star numbers last year too..and Ricky Davis is a different type of player than Lebron..i thought you watched basketball 

So what if they're different type of players? My point was that Ricky Davis, a bench player for the Boston Celtics, was putting up All-Star numbers for Cleveland when he was playing in Cleveland...How does me watching basketball change that? You need a better argument

Ricky is a pure scorer..he ain't a "big" influence in a game..he';s a second choice dude. Lebron is a first choice dude, lebron is the type of guy you want taking that last minute shot (jsut like Kobe and any other #1 dude on a team)....btw, Lebron had better numbers in his rookie year than Ricky ever had in his time with the Cavs. Thats why you can't compare him to Lebron. Ricky never had the power to change the outcome of a game.

And Lebron is getting Jordan type numbers in almost every catogary hsi last two years, thats why i compare him to JORDAN and not anyone else. unless lebron falls off, ima keep doing it.

Btw, Grant Hill has made an awesome come back 

Ricky was the first choice dude on Cleveland, just like LeBron is now...Sure LeBron is better, but my point is that anyone can put up numbers when playing on a team like Cleveland, especially when you're "the star"...McGrady has been getting Jordan type numbers as well, yet he is not comparable to Jordan, just like LeBron isn't comparable to Jordan...Bottom line, LeBron James is closer to Ricky Davis than he is to Michael Jordan...PeACe

[eS El Duque]

It's his second year...if he makes the playoffs with his team..im saying he'll be the next Jordan.

oh and btw...Lebron was putting up all-star numbers last year too..and Ricky Davis is a different type of player than Lebron..i thought you watched basketball 

So what if they're different type of players? My point was that Ricky Davis, a bench player for the Boston Celtics, was putting up All-Star numbers for Cleveland when he was playing in Cleveland...How does me watching basketball change that? You need a better argument

Ricky is a pure scorer..he ain't a "big" influence in a game..he';s a second choice dude. Lebron is a first choice dude, lebron is the type of guy you want taking that last minute shot (jsut like Kobe and any other #1 dude on a team)....btw, Lebron had better numbers in his rookie year than Ricky ever had in his time with the Cavs. Thats why you can't compare him to Lebron. Ricky never had the power to change the outcome of a game.

And Lebron is getting Jordan type numbers in almost every catogary hsi last two years, thats why i compare him to JORDAN and not anyone else. unless lebron falls off, ima keep doing it.

Btw, Grant Hill has made an awesome come back 

Ricky was the first choice dude on Cleveland, just like LeBron is now...Sure LeBron is better, but my point is that anyone can put up numbers when playing on a team like Cleveland, especially when you're "the star"...McGrady has been getting Jordan type numbers as well, yet he is not comparable to Jordan, just like LeBron isn't comparable to Jordan...Bottom line, LeBron James is closer to Ricky Davis than he is to Michael Jordan...PeACe

Ok, about the ricky davis thing..you're not getting my point...He was all Cleveland had..when Lebron came, Lebron became the #1 dude. The McGrady thing, it took him too long to get Jordan type numbers (and those numbers were in the POINTS stat...his other stats wern't as good as jordan). Lebron became a better player than Ricky Davis his first game he played..his rookie season was BETTER than any season Ricky had. Now in his second season he's WAY past Ricky Davis...really, who the fuck is Ricky Davis? That's the Bottem Line.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

It's his second year...if he makes the playoffs with his team..im saying he'll be the next Jordan.

oh and btw...Lebron was putting up all-star numbers last year too..and Ricky Davis is a different type of player than Lebron..i thought you watched basketball 

So what if they're different type of players? My point was that Ricky Davis, a bench player for the Boston Celtics, was putting up All-Star numbers for Cleveland when he was playing in Cleveland...How does me watching basketball change that? You need a better argument

Ricky is a pure scorer..he ain't a "big" influence in a game..he';s a second choice dude. Lebron is a first choice dude, lebron is the type of guy you want taking that last minute shot (jsut like Kobe and any other #1 dude on a team)....btw, Lebron had better numbers in his rookie year than Ricky ever had in his time with the Cavs. Thats why you can't compare him to Lebron. Ricky never had the power to change the outcome of a game.

And Lebron is getting Jordan type numbers in almost every catogary hsi last two years, thats why i compare him to JORDAN and not anyone else. unless lebron falls off, ima keep doing it.

Btw, Grant Hill has made an awesome come back 

Ricky was the first choice dude on Cleveland, just like LeBron is now...Sure LeBron is better, but my point is that anyone can put up numbers when playing on a team like Cleveland, especially when you're "the star"...McGrady has been getting Jordan type numbers as well, yet he is not comparable to Jordan, just like LeBron isn't comparable to Jordan...Bottom line, LeBron James is closer to Ricky Davis than he is to Michael Jordan...PeACe

Ok, about the ricky davis thing..you're not getting my point...He was all Cleveland had..when Lebron came, Lebron became the #1 dude. The McGrady thing, it took him too long to get Jordan type numbers (and those numbers were in the POINTS stat...his other stats wern't as good as jordan). Lebron became a better player than Ricky Davis his first game he played..his rookie season was BETTER than any season Ricky had. Now in his second season he's WAY past Ricky Davis...really, who the fuck is Ricky Davis? That's the Bottem Line.

And still, LeBron is closer to a Ricky Davis than a Michael Jordan...Put McGrady on Cleveland instead of LeBron, and they'll be the same exact team.

[eS El Duque]

It's his second year...if he makes the playoffs with his team..im saying he'll be the next Jordan.

oh and btw...Lebron was putting up all-star numbers last year too..and Ricky Davis is a different type of player than Lebron..i thought you watched basketball 

So what if they're different type of players? My point was that Ricky Davis, a bench player for the Boston Celtics, was putting up All-Star numbers for Cleveland when he was playing in Cleveland...How does me watching basketball change that? You need a better argument

Ricky is a pure scorer..he ain't a "big" influence in a game..he';s a second choice dude. Lebron is a first choice dude, lebron is the type of guy you want taking that last minute shot (jsut like Kobe and any other #1 dude on a team)....btw, Lebron had better numbers in his rookie year than Ricky ever had in his time with the Cavs. Thats why you can't compare him to Lebron. Ricky never had the power to change the outcome of a game.

And Lebron is getting Jordan type numbers in almost every catogary hsi last two years, thats why i compare him to JORDAN and not anyone else. unless lebron falls off, ima keep doing it.

Btw, Grant Hill has made an awesome come back 

Ricky was the first choice dude on Cleveland, just like LeBron is now...Sure LeBron is better, but my point is that anyone can put up numbers when playing on a team like Cleveland, especially when you're "the star"...McGrady has been getting Jordan type numbers as well, yet he is not comparable to Jordan, just like LeBron isn't comparable to Jordan...Bottom line, LeBron James is closer to Ricky Davis than he is to Michael Jordan...PeACe

Ok, about the ricky davis thing..you're not getting my point...He was all Cleveland had..when Lebron came, Lebron became the #1 dude. The McGrady thing, it took him too long to get Jordan type numbers (and those numbers were in the POINTS stat...his other stats wern't as good as jordan). Lebron became a better player than Ricky Davis his first game he played..his rookie season was BETTER than any season Ricky had. Now in his second season he's WAY past Ricky Davis...really, who the fuck is Ricky Davis? That's the Bottem Line.

And still, LeBron is closer to a Ricky Davis than a Michael Jordan...Put McGrady on Cleveland instead of LeBron, and they'll be the same exact team.