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Here it is playoff time and the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks are in the heat of their series. Every day there's a new story about the once heralded second coming in the NBA: Lebron James.
Every move he's made in the last 12 months has been under scrutiny. Every move on the court is scrutinized. Every move that he makes off the court is scrutinized....
And so it goes with today's media.
Ever since he was the 'King' in Cleveland and made a life choice that he felt was the best decision for his family, he's become a polarizing personality. Fact is if you follow the sport at all, you either love him or hate him.
There are very few who are dormant on middle ground with an opinion of the self-proclaimed 'King James'. Now, there's a lot to be said about the 'Decision' James made, but here's a fact. It wasn't about the fact that he made the 'Decision', it's how he went about it. Whomever he had as a PR specialist should have prepared him a little more of what he was about to do and what was about to follow.
It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It
I don't blame James for the Decision. I blame James for not understanding what he was undertaking. He went into the Decision with blind arrogance thinking he was 'bigger' than the media, bigger than the game...
Had he acted with a little humility and remembered: "It's now what you say, but how you say it", he would have likely been the likeable star who rose a city from the ashes (in Cleveland).
And let's not also forget that part of the reason that he wanted to build the Decision the way he did, was to donate over $1 million dollars to underprivileged kids... so that was a good motive. In fact, to my knowledge, he didn't take a penny and he had all the money go do the kids. However that gets lost in it all... Why?
Lack of preparation and arrogance
And now as we look at the NBA Series, I see a scared kid who is trying to find himself both as a person and as a player on his team. He looks lost at times - looking like he's going through the motions or a deer in the headlights.
It seems to me he's trying to fit in almost like a kid on a playground unsure of self trying to make friends and fit in. And rather than fitting in, it seems that things are caving in and unraveling.
He has been terrible at crunch time and almost seems to be afraid to 'not miss' or make a mistake... It's almost like he's tried to fit a 'mold' that someone 'thought' would be good for him... by playing the 'villain'. Only to me, I don't see it as him. It's not his real style.
He was recently caught on camera mocking another player (Dirk Nowitzki) who was sick. He followed the lead on that one as he followed the childish Dwayne Wade's antics mocking Dirk with a sneazing and coughing routine to apparently downplay the fact that Dirk played through 102 degree fever and major sinus problems in the previous game and dominated them when it mattered most.
It seems that Lebron is trying to keep up with Dwayne Wade and look cool in his eyes instead of doing what he does best --- play winning basketball. He's moved from focusing and mastering his craft to learning how to manage some of the distractions that have come his way like the media.
In fact as I've watched the playoffs it seems that Lebron and Wade seem to be more interested in being media darlings than winning the series...
Now, as you read this, you might think I'm hating on Wade and Lebron James. Actually, I think they're 2 of the best players in the game. I have a high respect for their game. I simply don't respect the way they think they're bigger than the game, or bigger than you or I.
I don't respect the arrogance they portray. They've both seemed to have got 'caught up' in the media frenzy trying to 'force' the story rather than let the story build around them...
And this takes the focus off what they do best... win games.
And here's what you can take away from this controversial article:
1. Be Great At Something (that ideally can compensate you well)
2. Choose To Do Something You Want to Do (not that you think society, family or friends suggest might be best for you)
3. Focus on Winning At What You Do
4. Enjoy the moment
5. Learn from the mistakes you make, adapt and adapt
Lebron's legacy is still young. He's 23 years old. And there you have it. He's got a lot of growing to do. I hope that as time goes on that he'll take a stand to do what Lebron really wants instead of trying to be someone he's not.
A Villain? Really?
Watching the script that he (and his team) have come up with is like a bad B-movie.
And in the unraveling, he's now doing damage control that just seems to spin further out of control with every camera shot, interview, and especially missed shots when it matters most.
The World Is Watching
The great thing for James is he has time to figure out who he really is. Instead of trying to be a media darling like Wade, he can write his own chapters his own way. And so it is with you and I...
In life we all make our share of mistakes. I know I've had nothing, made a bunch, lost it -- both personally and professionally. Most great people have gone through adversity.
Bad things happen to good people. We all make mistakes. It's not whether it's going to happen. It's what we do when they happen. The Winners in Life Play To Win. The winners take responsibility, adapt, move, grow and stay in the game.
We all have a chance to right the ship-- even if it hits the rocks, crashes and gets destroyed. Each day is an opportunity to start new and fresh... to right the ship.
Failure is NEVER failure unless we stop trying.
So I challenge you to sit down today...
Write out what you really want in the next 90-120 days.
Write out where you're at right now in comparison.
Then write out what you 'think' you will need to get there-- the resources, people, team and more.
Success in life - like most sports - takes a plan, a team and some great coaches.
Go out Today and Play to Win!
Editor Note and Contact Details Below:
Dan Kuschell's Strategic Success Secrets, is THE source where truly ambitious, driven, doers and A-players with a love of strategic marketing and a sincere desire to build wealth (for a lifetime) with a desire to grow and learn, gather to connect and share cutting edge, timely resources, and real-world application. Real. Transparent. Genuine. Straight forward. Get Dan Kuschell's #1 Resource, "Building Success Online" for FREE. Click here. Go to http://prosperitybasedliving.com/dankuschelltv/AmazingSecrets/ or http://www.prosperitybasedliving.com/.
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