Taking it back, taking it all back

(Picture courtesy of fleersports.com)

That's right, after a long time away from the blogging world because of depression (due to the Chicago Bulls early exit from the playoffs and the Chicago White Sox underachieving) I am finally back with a statement of Tiger Woods proportions. I am here today to announce that I am taking back all previous comments about LeBron James.

Before any of you in the media ask any questions and before some of our readers question me as a person let me explain.

I take back all previous notions of crowning Kobe Bryant the best in the game today. I take back all previous comments about LeBron James being the Lo Bosworth to Kobe Bryant's Lauren Conrad. I take back all the late night arguments in local establishments. I take back all of my fist pumping and jaw jabbing about Kobe. Though I still would take Kobe if there was a few seconds left in the game with my team down by two, I will admit my decision is hard fought.

I am sorry for looking past LeBron, and I now realize that I too fell victim to Skip Bayless-itis (a serious problem in America). I got wrapped up in Kobe's World. I was blinded by the bright yellow in my eyes.

And now I'm ready to say I was wrong.

My sudden change in heart was not based on LBJ winning his second MVP title. It was not because of his amazing presence during interviews. It wasn't even based on what he did against the Chicago Bulls in the first round playoff match up (although it was amazing; LBJ played 40.8 minutes, shot almost 57% from the field, and nearly averaged a triple double in the series).

It was what he did during his MVP acceptance ceremony today that pushed me over the edge.

While on stage and talking about his success, LeBron invited his teammates up on the stage and accepted the award with them. He proved that he is the best team player in the league and perhaps of all time. That little act carried a lot of weight and kicked me in the heart. LBJ is more than your average super star out for money, girls, fast cars, and down town adventures. He is a caring teammate, a super star that has kept a clean image, a man that loves the game of basketball and will do anything for his friends.

That is something you just don't see in sports very often.
His ceiling has no end in sight and I hope we never see it. He is the best player on the court right now, and very well could be the very best player to ever step foot on the hardwood when it is all said and done.

For those that know me personally, they know of my infatuation with Kobe Bryant and my undying love for MJ. They know that making a comment like the one I made above carries a lot of weight and is hard for me to admit. They know that, for me, Michael Jordan will carry a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. Some of my fondest memories as a child include staying up late with my dad and watching the magic he possessed on the court night in and night out. I loved his abilities, his passion, his undying love for the game, and most of all I loved his mentality.

LeBron James has all of that and more. He is a team player and has a real nag for involving his teammates. He is not just some ball hog that dribbles up and down the court with an eye on the iron. He feels the game out. He knows the game inside and out. And most importantly he has fun.

Take the dunk against the Bulls in game two of the first round of the playoffs. Just in this little clip you can see the passion, the greatness, and the physical attributes that only he possess. The man is a monster, a menace, a physical specimen, and quite possibly already in the Top 5 players of all time.

As much as it hurts me to admit I was wrong about LeBron, it is absolutely necessary. He has gone above and beyond the expectations I had for him. He has gotten better with each season and is the face of the NBA. He isn't a thug, or a sally. He isn't overly cocky or arrogant. He is simply LeBron; a man that plays with more fire than I've seen in my 21 years of life.

So LeBron here's to you proving me wrong. Here's to admitting that you are the greatest player on the court today. Here's to your second MVP trophy. Here's to your soon-to-be championship run. Here's to you finally taking the crown and placing it on your head. Here's to you bringing the NBA out of the depths of disaster and rejuvenating the league.

Here's to you donning a Chicago Bulls jersey next year while every crazed fan in the Madhouse on Madison screams "MVP! MVP! MVP!". Here's to me being one of them.

-Jerry Scherwin Jr