The Chosen Enigma: LeBron James

I was a huge Bulls fan, but nowadays I’m more of a basketball fan. As a basketball fan, I recognize that the Miami Heat have played quality ball this season. MJ played with Scottie Pippen. Pippen himself is a Hall of Famer and he was - in my opinion - a better player than D-Wade or Bosh. Dennis Rodman isn’t given much respect because his offensive game was laughable and his personal life was, well…not a whole lot better. But guess what? Rodman was probably the best rebounder of all-time and he's in the Hall, too.

Jordan played with two Hall of Fame players. He also had solid role players on his squad like Toni Kukoc, Horace Grant, and Luc Longley. LeBron has two superstars and a bunch of role players around him, too. Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Mario Chalmers are no better than Jordan’s role players were.

On James’ persona:

Every time I see an interview with James, I'm left wondering why people love to hate him. He seems like such a nice guy. Here's what he had to say after winning the MVP this year, according to Sports Illustrated:

"Heat nation, we have a bigger goal," James said. "This is very overwhelming to me as an individual award. But this is not the award I want, ultimately. I want that championship. That's all that matters to me..."

"This is a team game and I wouldn't be receiving what I've received in the past and now in the present without my teammates and without my family and friends who've helped me to this point. Even though it's an individual award, I always go back to my teammates. I always go back to my friends and my family. No one can do it alone."

Really? This guy is someone you hate? Come on. He locked himself in his room for days after they lost in the Finals last year. He's had unbelievable pressure on his shoulders since he was a pre-teen.

Remember what he said after the 2011 Championship? "Everything that has to do with a low in your life describes what I'm feeling right now." 

Like Jordan, other superstars needed help, too

James made a perfectly fine decision in joining two reputable players in Miami. Still not convinced? Let’s go further into NBA history and look at some of the all-time greats that needed a little help…

Wilt Chamberlain - played with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor

Magic Johnson - played with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy

Larry Bird - played with Tiny Archibald and Kevin McHale

Whether you like it or not, LeBron is the present and the future of basketball

Nowadays what kind of basketball fan admits to disliking Michael Jordan? A delusional one whose opinion is given no merit. Jordan was the great one; he was the best basketball player alive during his era. No disrespect to the Durantula, an incredible player I love watching, but when all is said and done, LeBron will be crowned the best basketball player of our era - guaranteed.

LeBron lost last year and his depleted squad might go down in flames (no pun intended) again this year, but he deserves respect. The guy is the beacon of the basketball world. Don’t try to bring him down unless you want to bring basketball down.

Every superstar needs a sidekick. Many legends need two great players alongside to win a championship.

Here's a firm belief of mine: The Enigma will win several championships when all is said and done. Might as well cheer for the guy along the way, because he's a genuinely likable person and he is, for my money, the most freakishly athletic, talented player all-time.

Email: aaron.mansfield@ubspectrum.com