I think it’s about time to wrap up Season 1 of Hoopservations. When LeBron had his most spectacular failure of his career, and I didn’t feel like I had anything much to say about it, I knew it was time for the off-season.
I was starting to think that the time had come, anyway. The college game ended weeks ago, and there are only 5 pro teams left playing. There’s not all that much going on at any given moment (2 games over 4 days between Tuesday and Friday), and all of the commentators who commentate about hoops are spending 20 hours a day commentating about the same not-all-that-much that is going on. There’s not much for a part-time blogger to add to the discussion, so I think it’s time for my offseason to begin. (Not to mention that the button just popped off of the pants I’m wearing, reminding me that I should be spending whatever free time I have at the gym.) I’m going to spend the offseason meeting with the Hoopservations Board of Directors, maybe talking to a consultant or two, and probably giving a wicked computer dude a chance to show off his skills by giving the site a few upgrades.
Once I start posting again, I’ll send a note to all the people in the Hoopservations Facebook group, and an e-mail to all of my friends who read the site. If you want to get an e-mail, but aren’t in the Facebook group and don’t think you’re on my list (if you’ve gotten e-mails about the site from me before, you’re on the list — if you haven’t, you’re not), just contact me here. I’ll make sure to include you.
In closing, I’ll leave with a word about LeBron. (What else?) Obviously, right now I have no idea what is going to happen in this series. It wouldn’t shock me if the Cavs lose tomorrow to the Celtics, wouldn’t shock me if he averages 45 ppg over the next two games and leads them into the next round, and, if he gets them to the next round, nothing that happens from that point forward would shock me. I’m not interested in knocking him any more, and I’m certainly not going to praise him after last night’s performance.
All I’ll say is this: I ain’t got nothing against LeBron personally. I tend not to be a big fan of guys who tattoo “Chosen One” on their bodies and refer to themselves as “The King,” but I don’t dislike him. And I acknowledge that he’s freakishly athletic, with incredible skills. And I’m well aware that, when I knock him, many people think that I’m just being contrarian. But I’m not. (For what it’s worth, this guy ripped him harder than I ever did, and even Bill Simmons is starting to have doubts.)
My only thing is that I don’t like when guys get anointed. I like guys to earn the credit they get. I root for guys who have had sand kicked in their face, then got back up and kept on fighting. Or guys who earned their mettle some other way, like winning in college. But not guys who came straight out of high school and were treated like The Second Coming, even though, 7 years into their career, they had never won a championship.
Obviously, in the process of playing for 6 seasons and not winning a championship, LeBron lost plenty of games. But those losses never really dented his aura. There always seemed to be a reason in people’s minds, like youth, or terrible teammates, or something else. I think it’s fair to say that yesterday was the first time in his career that he had sand kicked in his face. As a basketball fan, I can’t wait to see how he responds.
See you next season!!