Heat Seeker: Is LeBron James the NBA's Greatest Villain?

2011 was supposed to be "the year."

The year LeBron James silenced all the pundits who said he shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Michael Jordan until he had a ring on his finger.

The year he shut up Cleveland fans who viewed him as nothing short of a disappointment.

The year he finally won an NBA Championship.

But by the time the final buzzer sounded in Sunday's deciding Game 6, the scoreboard had told a different story: A Dallas 105-95 victory and another year LeBron began his summer empty-handed.

Miami fans were angered.

Cleveland fans (as well as fans of likely every other team) rejoiced.

How did "King James," once thought to be the savior of Cavalier basketball, suddenly become one of the League's designated bad guys?

Ever since becoming the No. 1 draft pick nearly a decade ago, James had been hailed as having the potential to be the next Michael Jordan; no, he WAS the next Michael Jordan. By the time his career was over, he would have more rings than Saturn and live in immortality as the "Greatest of All Time."

After a couple seasons of growing pains, Cleveland's first trip to the postseason in the James Era was in 2006; a Conference Semifinals exit. "We're almost there" was the common water cooler talk among the club's fans.

2007 was Cleveland's first trip to the NBA Finals in the franchise's history. Cleveland fans expected a cakewalk; LeBron would soon be the owner of a championship ring.

The Cavs didn't win one game the entire series as Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs hoisted up the gold.

From there, LeBron's failure to capture a title became a recurring gag; Every year Cleveland watched as the Cavs would breeze through the season, only to find themselves watching the Finals on TV.

Jeering, opposing fans took delight as the man they felt was being force-fed down their throats as the next big thing had yet to have a single ring. Many claimed it was because of his lack of a "supporting cast."

Frustrations continued after the 2010 Season ended with another Semifinals defeat, this time to Boston; a series infamous for speculation regarding the severity of an injury to James' elbow. This coming during the midst of reports that James would leave the team when he became a free agent that summer.

A one hour prime-time special was announced by ESPN to broadcast his decision live.

Most major free agents need, at most, a large press conference to announce their plans for the following year.

LeBron needed a prime-time special.

As July 8 drew nearer, rumors began to swirl that LeBron had already selected the Miami Heat as his next team.

"Nah man, LeBron is the Cavaliers. No way he's leaving."

Many were heartbroken when James declared he was "taking his talents to South Beach."

The Ohio boy, born-and-bred, had turned his back on his state, teaming up with Dwayne Wade and fellow Miami free agent signee Chris Bosh to form basketball's incarnation of The Legion of Doom; Almost everyone who followed the sport named the Heat NBA Champions on the spot.

As expected, Miami cruised to the playoffs. But after Sunday's loss, the 2011-2012 Season will be another quest for LeBron's first ring.

A quest many hope never comes to fruition.

Do fans boo LeBron because he deserted his hometown to reboot his career with a different franchise? Or is it the fact that they're insulted by the constant comparisons to MJ, a basketball fan's personification of God, to a man who has yet to taste gold?

But maybe it's James' destiny not to win "The Big One." Perhaps his capture of a championship is akin to The Rabbit getting his paws on some Trix or Wile E. Coyote catching the Road Runner; It's just not to be. We all know the result, but we'll keep watching.

 

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