Did ESPN Crown "King" James Way Too Soon?

Did ESPN crown LeBron James as King way too early? LeBron James might win multiple titles with the Miami Heat or any other team he suits up for. In fact, he could go down as one of the better basketball players of all time. But did the ESPN love affair with LeBron push him way too hard and too fast for even the King to accommodate? Is the better question, did the ESPN love affair push LeBron so hard down our throats that many of us resent the guy for a horrible reason?

Before we discuss, check out this ESPN commercial on YouTube. It's meant to be funny. But there's truth in the commercial in how ESPN has treated LeBron with "kid gloves" over the years. In fact, many of the highlight reels have been nothing but tributes to "The King." LeBron was such a regular on the nightly Top Ten best plays that even the anchors often eluded to the fact that they couldn't have a Top Ten without "The King." ESPN seemed to saddle up to LeBron and The LeBron brand just as if they were Nike nestling up nice and cozy with Jordan. In other words, ride the guy because he's going to one day be Jordan or even better.

I love to see a colorful sports anchor with catch phrases. It's true that LeBron James probably had the natural nickname of "King" James well before ESPN ever placed him on television. Although with games televised on ESPN when he was just in high school, it seems the ESPN culture building process of LeBron mania started many many years ago. LeBron even hosted his own "The Decision" show on ESPN when he announced he was leaving to go to Miami.
Maybe this was a return favor for the continuous shout outs ESPN handed to LeBron over the years. Who knows? Maybe athletes just realize the significance and power of the sports network that can not be denied these days. It's part of the culture for athletes these days to watch the channel that covers athletes religiously. Except with LeBron, there is a different standard. He's the annointed "King" even if he doesn't have the resume to prove it. Kids should be excited to see their plays on ESPN and not the other way around. With LeBron, it always seemed that ESPN was selling the brand with their worship on a nightly basis.

Maybe ESPN is just into predictions these days-or love affairs with young up and comers. I'll have to admit the entire ESPN love affair with LeBron James has me completely sickened these days. But I was sick about it well before then.
You hate to see anyone put on a pedestal that often--but hey, if someone is going to be put on a pedestal at least the guy is royalty, right? I get the feeling there are a lot of people out there like me who want to see LeBron fail because of this very reason. I generally hate to see people fail. LeBron seems like a pretty decent guy. He's one of the rare jewels in basketball who will pass first and shoot second. He's willing to share his part of the glory with other NBA All Stars.
So he can't be that bad. So why does it bug me so bad that he might live up to the reputation?

I get the feeling that the overhype of James on ESPN might have also led to the bad overall public image LeBron carries to this day. Anytime anyone loves something so much-there is going to be a natural resentment from others. And ESPN anchors and reporters seemed to love LeBron to a fault-almost as if he they were afraid to criticize the guy.
Almost the same way a weather guy loves to see a tornado. It seems LeBron was always put on a pedestal well before he achieved anything other than a great highlight and some gaudy stats.

Fans in other markets had to take note that ESPN anchors were more than willing to push LeBron our direction well before his time. Well before the guy ever stepped foot on an NBA floor, we knew who he was because of the massive campaign put forth by ESPN. Maybe that's why ESPN landed "The Decision" special. Part of the situation might lead you to believe that the love affair is mutual for LeBron. I get the feeling he goes with it because it isn't hurting his image. If a major network is going to proclaim you King without asking money for it, why wouldn't you go with the flow? It makes sense from a business standpoint for LeBron to not rock the boat.

"King" James did this. "King" for the slam. "King" for the big shot. "King", "King", "King!" If there were ever a complete over-saturation of an athlete, LeBron is living proof. Perhaps ESPN thought they missed out on a unique opportunity to over promote Michael Jordan. Perhaps they thought James was the next great thing-that could be true but has yet to become reality. The guy certainly makes for good highlights and good television because of his high powered slams. But didn't it seem as if LeBron was being shoved down our throats well before he ever won a single title?

It's 2011 and LeBron still hasn't put on his first NBA Championship ring. He might win his first this time around-but the so called "King" didn't do it by himself or with what some would lead you to believe as his scrawny teammates in Cleveland.
It might take the addition of Wade and Bosh to aid "The King" in his first title run. Even then, there's a possibility it might not be enough. In fact, this whole "King" label is something not many people would want to live up to. I think if I were LeBron, I would have asked the media to stop using that nickname a long time ago. It's insulting to Kings everywhere. Even former Bulls center Stacy King is probably running around ticked off. Don King isn't thrilled either.

We've seen some major Blake Griffin worship these past few years on ESPN. Maybe Griffin is filling the void until LeBron finally captures his unofficial crown as the King. Maybe Griffin is just an undeniable highlight dunking machine as well. That doesn't mean he is the best player the NBA that fans will ever witness. It just makes me wonder what kind of worship ESPN would have tossed toward guys like Kareem, Jerry West and Moses Malone. The irony is that a guy like Pete Maravich would have probably been the Sports Center hero in that era because he was flashy. He might not have been the best basketball player ever-but ESPN would have eaten the dude alive with highlight appearances in every block because of the dazzling passes he illustrated in college and the pros.

In the TV highlight era, dunks and buzzer beaters can make an ordinary player seem like a huge star. LeBron is certainly not an ordinary player. He certainly has the skills and attributes we rarely see from a guy of his size. But ESPN crowned him as the "King" way too early-elevating his status to something he'll probably never be able to live up to. I would like to think that trend of unrealistic expectations and build up will start and end with LeBron. Maybe ESPN learned a powerful lesson by creating an image that LeBron can't possibly live up to. I think many people are rooting against the guy because of that reason-and that's unfortunate. He might have even left Cleveland without being in such a huge ordeal minus the over-hype. But just like any other "King", LeBron is subject to the approval or disapproval of his subjects.
It's the kind of image only a few titles can overhaul. Then ESPN will be right and the "King" name might fit or be remotely justified. Even then, there will be a wide school of thought that his portrayal was always five steps ahead of his actual talent and accomplishments.