LeBron James: When Will the Hatred Finally End?

In 2003, Michael Jordan retired for the final time. Like many basketball fans, my bedroom was littered with Jordan posters and memorabilia. With my childhood hero gone, who would take his place?

The draft for the next season approached, and when the Cleveland Cavaliers announced they had selected LeBron James, fans across the country were ecstatic.

This would be the guy to replace Michael. This is the player we can all count on to be great.

Each season for the next several years came and passed without a Cavs championship, but we all watched LeBron grow up before our eyes as an elite basketball player. He wasn't Michael. Not yet. But many fans still believed he could be close.

As July 8, 2010 crept around the corner, NBA fans around the globe watched ESPN specials, Sportscenter repeats and numerous talk shows hoping to find out if LeBron would stay put in Cleveland or if he would leave for greener pastures.

Millions sat in front of their television to find out the answer to this question. We all hoped he would do the noble thing. We all wanted him to cement his spot in history as the hometown kid who stayed with the Cavs through thick and thin.

He can't leave the Cavs. He just can't. He is worshiped in Cleveland. He is The Chosen One.

All it took was one sentence for everyone in the country to hate LeBron. He did nothing illegal. He committed no crime. The only thing he was guilty of was having a huge ego and rubbing his choice into Cleveland's face on national television.

The celebration before the season started was in very poor taste. The comments made by both Dwyane Wade and LeBron throughout the season added fuel to the fire. The newest Big Three gave the NBA a villain to cheer against at all costs. After they lost in the Finals to the Mavs, the country was elated with joy.

With the Heat's first season in the books, there are still huge amounts of scrutiny against LeBron. We hate him for his tattoo. We hate him for his nickname. We hate him for his immature comments.

Or do we really just hate him for not winning? For not being Jordan like we hoped he would?

It's time for the pure hatred of LeBron to stop. Outside of Cleveland, nobody has a real reason to despise him. He's had "Chosen 1" tattooed across his back for years. He's been nicknamed "The King" for as long as I can remember. He has always been immature (Dancing on the court while the game was still being played, anyone?).

The only reason that anyone should still hate LeBron is the way that he left Cleveland. It tore the heart out of every basketball fan in Ohio, and he could have handled it much better. I fully expect Cleveland to always hate LeBron, and I don't blame them.

But should the rest of America?

After almost a decade in the league, I've realized that he is not Michael. He is not even Kobe. And it's stupid for any of us to still believe that.

I hate all the new "Heat fans" that joined the bandwagon. I hate all of the publicity that the Heat get, even in losing the Finals to an obviously better team in the Mavs. I hate that the team overshadowed the young stars of the league in Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose.

But one thing that I don't hate anymore is LeBron James. Why should we? For having the exact same personality as he did when he was with the Cavs?

It's clear that America will never look at LeBron like they did when he was with the Cavs. That is understandable. But what will it take for us to forgive LeBron?

To me, the answer is simple. He must prove he is a winner like we have all hoped for years.

Just win.

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Snowball and Pepper Take-on the Treadmill and Hearts Everywhere Smile

Filed under: Videos, Animals

Cats don't need exercise. They're perfect just the way they are. But for some reason these little guys can't help but be totally enthralled with the treadmill. And it makes sense if you think about it. While we might be all motivated, going for the run of our life, getting healthy, getting in shape and buff, to a cat the treadmill is a totally foreign contraption. Humans, on a moving walkway inside the house, huffing and puffing and fighting to walk in place.

So seeing it from Snowball and Pepper's perspectives, it makes complete sense that they would stare and poke and prod with their little furry mittenesque hands. They're simply looking out for our well being.

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Lady Gaga on 'SYTYCD,' a 'Torchwood: Miracle Day' Sneak Peek & More TV News

'So You Think You Can Dance'? Well, Lady Gag will be the judge of that.

Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told Entertainment Tonight that the over-the-top artist will stop by to guest judge on the hit Fox reality show later this season.

Gaga certainly knows a thing or two about what makes a memorable performance, but no word yet on whether or not she'll do a number on the show herself.

Lady Gaga joins the ranks of fabulous 'SYTYCD' guests this season, including Kristin Chenoweth, Carmen Electra, Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin and Megan Mullally.

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NBA playoffs: New York Knicks back in the mix after major rebuilding | David Lengel

The most infamous NBA franchise are where they used to belong but the might of the Celtics stand in their way

On Sunday the New York Knicks will play the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs ? New York's first appearance in the post-season since 2004. On the court for the Knickerbockers will be two bona fide NBA superstars, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, in the prime of their careers, a scenario that was the stuff of fantasy a year ago. For these Knicks, this post-season series is their signature on a season that marks their return to relevance in New York and the NBA.

Ten years ago the Toronto Raptors bounced the Knicks from the opening round of the playoffs, and fans consoling themselves inside Madison Square Garden, known here as the World's Most Famous Arena, sensed that the times were indeed a-changing. Still, those diehards couldn't have possibly known what was about to hit them ? over the next decade, the building on 34th street would house the most infamous franchise the NBA had to offer.

In a league where oligarchs can't write blank checks at will, and where payrolls are kept in line with revenues via a salary cap, missteps by men in suits managing those spending restrictions can cripple a team's ability to rebuild for years. Until this season, this has been the long-running theme of pro basketball in New York City.

The problems with the Knicks and the salary cap management pre-dated Isaiah Thomas, the former general manager, probably one of the most disliked characters in Knicks history. The team owner, James Dolan, hired Thomas in December of 2003, and almost immediately upon his arrival, the Hall of Fame point guard exacerbated the Knicks already difficult salary cap situation.

New York slipped further and further into NBA purgatory as Thomas dealt for high priced, low return players such as Stephon Marbury and Eddie Curry. Unable to dig out from the mountain of bad contracts, the Knicks couldn't dream of bidding for top free agent talent, and New York, wearing skintight salary cap shackles, had sadly become irrelevant ? unthinkable in a city known for passionate support of its basketball team.

Thomas became head coach for two seasons, and in 2008 was let go. Donnie Walsh, a Bronx boy in exile, who had managed the Indiana Pacers to 16 post-seasons, was brought in to shake up the team. The mission ? forget about winning for the time being, and dump the salary duds in time to make cap space to compete for the free agent class of 2010, a group that included the best player in the world, LeBron James. In two short years, Walsh was able to accomplish what no Knick executive had done, clear the deck.

The dream of landing James was just that, as he nixed New York to join his buddies in Miami. The consolation prize was Stoudemire, a player viewed with suspicion by Knicks fans, but who, early in 2010, proved that New York had their first true franchise player since Patrick Ewing. Young and athletic talent surrounded Stoudemire, making the most of the head coach Mike D'Antoni's high-octane offensive style, lifting the toxic clouds off of the Garden.

In late February came the fruition of a long-rumoured deal in the form of a three-way exchange with Denver and Minnesota, bringing Anthony, without a doubt, one of the top five players in the NBA, to New York along with proven point guard Chauncey Billups. The Knicks got a second franchise player in their bid to keep up with the Joneses in Miami, but relinquished several talented players in a trade that some believed was unnecessary ? Anthony, a player with strong links to NYC could have come to the Knicks as a free agent after the season without New York dealing any of their young guns.

New York has struggled since the trade, having to come together as a team quickly with a rebuilt roster, just in time for the playoffs. The trade for Anthony is seen as part of a long-term plan, but questions linger about chemistry between Stoudemire and Anthony, and whether the Knicks can acquire the missing pieces to propel New York to their first title since 1973. For now, the Knicks will have at least two post-season games in New York, and that long-sought opportunity to breathe playoff life back into the Garden.

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW

Boston Celtics v New York Knicks

Boston come into these playoffs knowing their window of opportunity for a second championship in four seasons is closing ? the dynamic core of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are slightly vulnerable in their old age. Plus, their center Kendrick Perkins was controversially dealt away at the trade deadline, upsetting the head coach, Doc Rivers, some former team-mates, and the applecart. There are other issues with Boston, such as the health of Shaquille O'Neal. Still, they should crush the undersized Knicks whose time is yet to arrive. Celts in five.

Chicago Bulls v Indiana Pacers

Derrick Rose will be the NBA's Most Valuable Player, and if that doesn't give you confidence in Chicago, the Bulls owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, will. He said in early March that his team can win four championships. Not one, four. Chicago does play smothering defense, which should keep the Pacers best player, Danny Granger, in check. Bulls sweep.

Miami Heat v Philadelphia 76ers

When is a 58-win season considered to be a disappointment? How about when you have three of the NBA's top 15 players, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on the same team. Can the Sixers pull off the upset? Well, they have a better head coach in Doug Collins, an excellent point guard in Jrue Holiday, and a nice big juicy target to shoot at. Miami's out in a shocker. Sixers in seven.

Orlando Magic v Atlanta Hawks

Orlando's Dwight Howard is awesome and Atlanta is a dump. I really don't like it there, so I'm taking it out on the Hawks. Seriously folks, Atlanta will double team Howard, and the big man will kick it out to multiple Magic men to drain three's all night long. Magic in five.

WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW

San Antonio Spurs v Memphis Grizzlies

If you would have told me before the seasons that the Spurs would win 61 games I would have said to go have another puff on ye old pipe. The clock is ticking on San Antonio but if they do go out, it ain't going to be against Memphis. For the Grizzlies, there's history to be made here ? Memphis have never won a post-season game. Spurs in five.

Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Hornets

Can someone tell me why Kobe Bryant hasn't been suspended for muttering anti-gay slurs at a referee? A $100K fine? Big deal ? that's like taking a buck 75 off me. You can't allow that sort of thing to go on in the NBA or anywhere. Let me see, if I go into work today and scream that at someone, I wonder what would happen? The Lakers legend Jerry West criticised the team earlier in the season saying: "The reason you 'can't play defense' is because you can't", and even the coach, Phil Jackson, agreed. It will catch up with them, but not yet. Lakers in five.

Dallas Mavericks v Portland Trailblazers

It's easy to chalk up an easy series win for Dallas. Not so. Portland has a lot of kitchen sink to throw at Dirk Nowitzki in Marcus Camby, Gerald Wallace and LaMarcus Aldridge, and this will be no walk in the Pacific Northwest for these Texans. Blazers in seven.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Nuggets

Good series, a lot of fun. Contrary to expectations, the Nuggets have been excellent since Anthony was traded for half of the Knicks, and there's been lots of jabs at him from the Rockies. One question for Denver ? who will take the big shots down the stretch? Oklahoma has an easy answer ? Kevin Durant won the NBA scoring title. I like Denver here, with a bit of bias coming me from here in NY. Nuggets in seven.

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David Lengel

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LA Lakers end losing streak with win over the San Antonio Spurs

? Five-game losing streak ends with 102-93 victory
? Win marred by knee injury to Andrew Bynum

The LA Lakers have ended their five-game losing streak with a 102-93 win over the San Antonio Spurs, but the victory was marred by a knee injury to the starting centre Andrew Bynum.

The 23-year-old, who has undergone three knee surgeries in as many years and missed the first 24 games of the season, pulled up in the second quarter and sat on the court for a few minutes before limping to the locker room. Bynum will now undergo an MRI scan, but the team sounded confident he would be on the court for the playoffs. Bynum had been a key component in the Lakers' 17-1 stretch before the recent losing spell.

"I went in at half-time to talk to him and he said: 'I'm going to be alright,'" the Lakers coach Phil Jackson told reporters during the game. "I think he has a good idea about it because he's been through this before."

Kobe Bryant scored 27 points against the Spurs, who rested Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, as the Lakers (56-25) pulled into a tie with Dallas for the second seed in the West. With the game tied 83-83 midway through the fourth, the Lakers went on a 19-5 run to finally put away San Antonio, who had long secured the top seed in the conference.

The Lakers, the defending NBA champions, can secure the second seed with a season-finale win against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Lamar Odom, who will be starting in Bynum's place against the Kings, finished with 23 points. Pau Gasol added 17 points and 17 rebounds but the Lakers are still searching for the form that took them to two consecutive NBA titles. "The playoffs [are coming] at a perfect time for us," Odom said. "We need a little break to recuperate, watch the tape and get better."

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