The rejection! pic.twitter.com/n8nsmBFJeR
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) June 20, 2016
Like a lot of Americans, I watched Sunday’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals with a mix of awe and surprise. I’m not a Cavaliers fan, nor am I a fan of Cleveland itself, but I have a hard time not appreciating the joyous reaction that took place in Cleveland. I can relate; when the Portland Timbers won last season’s MLS Championship, the joy in Puddletown was almost palpable. It’s one of the joys of sports, something that in most cities doesn’t happen very often.
That said, I found Lebron James’ post-game interview with ESPN’s Doris Burke to be a bit…silly. Granted, I understand that it was a highly emotional moment, so I don’t want it to sound as if my observations/criticism are directed at James personally. They’re more reflective of how professional athletes view themselves and what they do as being of greater import than is really the case.
James spoke at length about not knowing why “the man above” made his path so hard, which raised my #1 complaint about athletes and interviews. So many are so quick to credit God for their success…as if God would actually be concerned with the outcome of an athletic contest. If God determined that you were the one destined to emerge victorious, that would mean He decided that someone else deserved to lose. Interesting, isn’t it, that only the victors give thanks to God for allowing them their One Shining Moment?
As for James’ path being “so hard,” this might be where he needs to get a grip on reality. I understand his back story, that he came from a place of abject poverty. The story of his success is truly inspirational, but poverty hasn’t been his reality for over a decade now. Every night he goes home to his beautiful wife and family…and his millions. He wants for nothing and will likely never, ever have to concern himself with where his next Big Mac is coming from. For him to be talking about how his path has been “so hard” seems nothing if not an exercise in hyperbole. “So hard” is wondering how you’re going to be able to pay the rent, keep the lights on, and/or feed your kids. “So hard” is living in fear of getting sick because you can’t afford health insurance or your co-pay if you’re fortunate enough to have insurance. “So hard” is being LGBT in a state which legally classifies you as a second-class citizen and offers you little in the way of legal protection.
What “so hard” most definitely is not is struggling to win a championship. Win or lose, none of the players on either team will be wondering how they’re going to feed their kids. In the NBA, where the average salary is $4 million and the median $2 million, rest assured that no one’s children should be wanting for anything.
I appreciate Lebron James’ surpassing talent and unparalleled worth ethic. Whatever your opinion of him as a person might be, he can’t be faulted for lack of effort and commitment. Still, he plays a kid’s game. He’s not curing cancer, solving world hunger, or creating world peace. Those would be things we could justifiably celebrate…should they ever come to pass. Getting all wrapped up in a basketball game, while certainly an exciting and entertaining distraction, has nothing to do with real life.
Yes, Cleveland has every right to be happy. They have a major sports championship to celebrate for the first time since 1964, and they should enjoy the moment…but let’s remember the flip side of what athletes represent- that our collective priorities and perspective are completely out of whack.
