It seems to be spreading rapidly throughout the league. Much like twitter, players can be found jumping ship faster than Lindsey Lohan can violate her probation. Great players in this league are balking at the ultimate challenge bestowed upon them; to lead a team to a championship.
In case you’ve somehow missed the news (ESPN may have caused you to stop following sports entirely with their questionable coverage at times), LeBron James passed on greatness and took the easy way out playing second fiddle. Once considered to have a competitive drive second to only Kobe Bryant, James fooled us all when he essentially conceded that he no longer wanted to be “the guy” and sought the best chance to win championships.
This is the guy that promised to bring a championship to Cleveland?
All Star point guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets is also disgruntled with his team’s outlook. The Hornets were a pleasant surprise not too long ago, taking the San Antonio Spurs to seven games in the semi finals in 2008.
Unfortunately for the Hornets, that’s merely a distant memory.
Former head coach and Paul’s mentor Byron Scott was fired early this past season after a poor start which resulted in missing the playoffs entirely. Now Paul is growing tired of the losing and sources say the young point guard wants out. Paul is also a good friend of James and recently signed with James’ marketing team.
Need I say more?
While Paul’s situation is worse than James, I can’t help but wonder what has happened to the competitive fire that has inspired so many greats before us. With the exception of power forward David West, the Hornets have surrounded their franchise player with little talent to compete in the power heavy Western conference. Paul’s frustration with the Hornets deficit in talent is certainly understandable.
But why so quick to pass on the challenge?
This generation unlike the ones that preceded it seem to be quick to panic. Whether it’s the fear of ending up like Patrick Ewing or Reggie Miller, Hall of Fame players with no rings to their name, or simply the preference to take the easy way out, players don’t embrace the challenge of being “the guy”.
Former greats have shared my sentiments. From Charles Barkley to Magic Johnson to Michael Jordan, all expressed disappointment in James’ decision. As previously mentioned, Reggie Miller and Patrick Ewing may have never won a title, but they are still great players who will forever be remembered for the way they dominated their generation. They may have never been a champion, but they are respected for their pursuit of one as the unquestioned leader.
It’s not even as if the relationships have evolved. Players were always friends. Just look at Magic and Larry Bird. The two of them were best friends, but on the court they were competitors who wanted nothing more than to beat the other.
Once upon a time great players took pride in the task of leading their team to a title. Nowadays players prefer to form all star laden squads (see Miami Heat). As if All Star weekend, the FIBA championship, and the Olympics weren’t enough.
If Chris Paul gets his wish and is traded to form his own three headed monster, the league will become even more top heavy with fewer contenders. Sounds like a dream come true for the league.
VIAGRA provides a cure for impotent men, but unfortunately that is useless in this instance. It won’t fix the lack of a competitive drive that has spread around the league, leaving many who’ve followed the NBA for so long reminiscing more than they’d like.
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