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I missed this beer. (Taken with instagram)

Amazing article.

fuckyeanba:

What a long and winding road it’s been for the NBA’s best most talked about superstar. Instead of posting more drivel about his 6 toes, or his repeated failures to come through in the clutch, let’s take a macro look at why he seems to melt when the spotlight is brightest. I’m well aware this is a basketball blogging trope that’s been covered ad nauseam by a multitude of writers, but this one is different—I promise—which is too say I haven’t seen it anywhere else.

Lebron James has been the best basketball player every time he took the court since he was 13 years old. That’s more than half his life. He never went to college, but instead jumped into a man’s league when he was only 18. He was immediately the best player on his team, and within a couple short years, he was the best player in the league. He never had to struggle; he never had to work on his post game; he never had to answer critics because he didn’t have any critics.

It’s 2007, and Lebron James has just beaten the defending Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons almost by himself. In the NBA finals that year, the far superior San Antonio Spurs sweep the one-player Cleveland Cavaliers in four straight games. Lebron James has just gotten his first taste of adversity. He wasn’t supposed to win this series, but they could have shown better. Everyone agrees he’s the best player in the league now and destined to bring the Cavs their first championship.

Fast forward to the 2008 playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA, and they’re facing the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. Lebron James has just won his first MVP. The Orlando Magic end up beating Cleveland because Hedo Turkoglu actually gives a shit, Rashard Lewis (don’t fuckin’ say it) is hopped up on performance enhancers, and Dwight Howard is his normal dominant (but not too dominant) self. The Cleveland Cavaliers lose in 6 games, and Lebron has faced his first challenge where he’s supposed to succeed, but doesn’t.

The next year, the Cleveland Cavaliers again have the league’s best record, and Lebron wins his second MVP trophy in a row. They go into the playoffs confident they can beat the Orlando Magic. Except, the—now healthy—Boston Celtics stand in their way. It looks to be an epic series, but Cleveland is over-matched by the triumvirate of Boston’s big three + Rondo. After game 3, something happens. No one knows what except Lebron. The Cavaliers lose 2 of their next 3 and fall to the Celtics in 6 games. This time it’s only the Eastern Conference semifinals, and now everyone is talking about Delonte and Gloria because there doesn’t seem to be any plausible explanation for Lebron’s placid demeanor facing the Celtics. Instead, we rely on stupid reports about a teammate sleeping with his mom. This isn’t his first taste with adversity, but it’s one of his first, and certainly the strongest. He was supposed to succeed, but didn’t.

Then the decision happens, and I’m not going to even capitalize it because we all know the story. This is again some adversity Lebron didn’t see coming—possibly the strongest to date as he becomes the villain for the first time in his career. The Miami Heat start slow—winning only 9 of their first 17 games—and everyone jumps on the “we told you so” bandwagon. The Heat quickly right the ship and end up with the second best record in the East. Then they storm through the playoffs with Lebron playing so well against Derrick Rose and the Bulls, Scottie Pippen declares him the GOAT before quickly retracting the statement, and changing it after it becomes clear he’s an idiot.

Now it’s the NBA finals, and the Miami Heat with Lebron, Wade, Bosh, and a supporting cast that’s grown into a legitimate supporting cast is supposed to walk all over the Mavericks. They do just that in game 1. Then game 2 happens, and the Mavericks storm back from 15 down to win it by 2. Lebron disappears in the clutch. Game 3 almost gets away from Miami again, but some clutch shooting from Bosh and Wade gives them a 2-1 lead in the series, but Lebron again disappears in the 4th quarter. They’ve now lost their last two with Lebron and others struggling mightily in the 4th quarter of each game. The Heat face elimination tonight. This is again uncharted territory for Lebron James. Adversity isn’t something he’s had to handle, and when he does, he doesn’t cope well (see the Orlando and Boston series from the last two years).

So, what to make of this career arc? It’s not so hard to figure out. Lebron James is the most dominant force in NBA basketball since Shaq started breaking backboards in ‘93. He’s physically stronger, faster, and more agile than every other person in the league. The game comes easily to him, and so does stardom. He’s a legend in his own mind, and others agree; he’s the best. From a physical standpoint, he might already be the greatest basketball creation of all time.

But what happens when he’s challenged? He doesn’t really know what to do. He’s so used to being the best, and for things to come easily to him, that he’s not adequately equipped to deal with the natural obstacles normal players have to deal with. Dwyane Wade went to college, and lost. He lost at Miami early on too, but when Shaq arrived, he learned how to rise above obstacles like his injury in ‘05, and win. He’s had to overcome things. Lebron has not.

When the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat take the court tonight at 8pm/5pm on ABC, all the world will be watching. This series has turned into ESPN classic for almost every game, with 3 of the last 4 games being decided by a last second shot. Lebron James hasn’t ever been here before. He doesn’t know what it’s liked to be pushed. Every time he’s been pushed in the past, he’s faltered. Why should it be any different tonight?

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

bishopia:

(Click image to enlarge)

On Saturday, February 19th, the House of Representatives voted 235-189 to pass a continuing resolution that eliminates funding for public broadcasting. I put together this handy chart on why PBS is worth saving. Find out how you can fight back at 170 Million Americans.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am Creative Director for PBS KIDS but a life-long supporter/watcher of PBS ;)

thomasmurray:

mattgorman:

forcedpriority:

umm… you forgot homophobia…

Also, any genocides before 1990 (except for the Holocaust, obvs) are fair game.

Everything is fair game. Don’t be so sensitive, person who made this.

I don’t think these things are funny either. I think they’re hillarious.

(Source: itakecreamandsugar, via hit-by-pitch)