I’m obsessed with sports. It’s the most unusual thing, considering in my family no one else could give two shits about sports. To her credit, over the years my mom has diligently paid enough attention to back page headlines so as to keep a conversation going with me about the Superbowl or World Series or whatever.
My dad? Not so much. The only competitive somewhat sporting event i ever recall his attending when I was growing up was a local spelling bee. In a show of defiance, I intentionally screwed up the word "lama" – take that your holiness.
Through the years, I’ve had moments of fandom of varying intensity. But being that I am a loyal Boston fan (Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and even Bruins), my teams almost always tend to be "in it" to the end which inevitably leads to both the highest of highs, but also the lowest of lows. For years, I tried to resolve the spiritual core of sports (that’s what we Chopras do after all) and couldn’t really decode it. For becoming totally emotionally and spiritually attached to something you cannot control, on the face of it, represents the antithesis of everything spiritual.
Then again, there is something deeply spiritual about surrendering yourself so completely to something that you have absolutely no control over. Linking your own emotional fiber to countless others and riding the wave of emotions to higher (or lower) states of consciousness can be a very cathartic and non-ego experience.
Then every once in a while comes a story like LeBron James (aka the former KING JAMES) that transcends sports and taps into a much larger – dare I say Spiritual domain. At their core, Sports allows us to see ourselves at the pinnacle of human potential. The true champion must not only outdo his competitors but also achieve a quasi physical and psychological synergy that enables true transcendence beyond the game. It’s what allows a real sports fan to ultimately admire greatness – the Michael Jordans and Joe Montanas, the Alis and Gretzkys, even the Jeters and Kobes (hard for me to say as a Sox and Celtics fan, respectively).
So when a guy seeming equipped with all the physical gifts to possibly reach that level of greatness, that transcendent plain that inspires all of us sports fans, and then "chooses" not to even try, well it’s a hell of downer. Here’s the thing: I get LeBron wanting to play with his buddies. I get him wanting to win championships and win fast. I get him being 25 years old and wanting to mow through South Beach and all of its virtues. But to do it all at the expense of being GREAT – I don’t get and I don’t really want to get. The great ones don’t choose the easy way out, they don’t choose to play Robin when they’re qualified to be Batman.
All week I’ve listened to arguments from the other side, including my sister who tried to convince me that maybe the LeBron way was an example for a new model of winning. I say no way – I’m old school that way. Winning is about being the best, competing, scoring more, and being crowned the victor. I’ve never been into the New Age version which says it’s not about wins and loses, it’s about how you play the game.
Bullshit – it’s about W-I-N-N-I-N-G and the euphoria that comes with aiming to be the best and then being the best. It’s also why losing feels so horrible and lowly. In fact, I’d say there is only one thing worse then losing. Choosing not to compete at all.
See you later, King James. It was nice knowing you.
Good post.
And I know nothing about the Lebron situation, the two teams, his friends, talents, etc.
That said, I still think that he can be great by playing with people he trusts and choosing a life that will make him happier, not just choosing the being the greatest…
Does that sound really new-agey and naive?
Sports, exercise is pure Meditation, winning is Nirvana.
A fit, athletic, sporty body is pure consciousness.
Great post….you make some really insightful points. I have to admit, this decision still confuses me…having been raised in the Cleveland area, going to college at Miami (ohio) and then playing for my "hometown" Cincinnati Bengals, I have some sense of what it's like to play for your hometown team. There's nothing particularly "flashy" about Ohio sports teams. So, part of me understands why LeBron might have been drawn to the "Flashing Lights" of Miami. Like you said – I get it.
BUT, when it comes to truly making your mark on the game…this may very well turn out to be a huge mistake. The truth is LeBron has already made a powerful mark on the game of basketball. Whatever he does from here on out will only strengthen his impression in the minds of basketball fans all over the world. The GREATEST athletes across time embody an energy that goes far beyond the reaches of his team. LeBron had that opportunity in Cleveland. Look at what Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints have done for the state of Louisiana! This story is so amazing and powerful that it could lift up any human being, anywhere, and in any time period. True greatness is in being the champion, not chasing a championship. It’s clear that when you bring a championship to a region that is struggling, it can have enormous healing potential. It can inspire and heal millions of people and touch the world. That’s the essence of sports. The essence of the athlete, the archetypal warrior lies in the ability to transcend adversity and inspire the masses. LeBron had that chance in Cleveland. This possibility does not exist in Miami….and it never will.
LeBron’s move, to me, felt a lot like the fortunate NFL, NBA, and MLB greats who defeated the odds and enjoyed incredibly long and successful careers, but never experienced a championship. Just when they know their playing days are limited, they become desperate to latch onto a team that has the potential for a championship run. It’s like an entrepreneur bailing on his/her start-up for a corporate job because times have been tough. I think that’s why so many people are disappointed in this decision.
For some reason I’m thinking of Paulo Coelho’s story in the Alchemist where a young shepherd boy, Santiago, sleeping under a tree, dreams of a hidden treasure in the Egyptian Pyramids. He’s torn between the decision to stay home and continue “the simple life” or pursue his dream of discovering the hidden treasure that he dreamed about. He chooses to pursue the hidden treasure. After a year long journey, he finally reaches the pyramids. He digs, and then is robbed and beaten by thieves. The thieves force him to dig on their behalf and they find no treasure. After getting a clue from one of the thieves, Santiago realizes that his treasure had been at home all along…under the very tree that he had the dream.
Only in LeBron’s case….that tree may have already been burned down.
Great post, Gotham! Loved your comments too, D! Last weeks "decision(s)" were a disaster. Can you ever imagine KG, Pierce, and Ray Allen pulling that stunt- three years ago?
Hi Gotham,
Maybe, Lebron is just not that into "greatness."
What a awesome 6 hour, thankyou to Dave and all the crew at Roudtuit Caravan park for all the work that went to running this event, well worth marking in the dairy for next year
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