Why The Hate?

I still do not understand the LeBron James hatred. It goes beyond the usual distaste for an opposing player from a rival team. No, many people really hate the man, all without the benefit of knowing him personally. Granted, he does come across poorly on camera. And, with the public, if you do not succeed in the media spotlight, it can sink your reputation. He does not have the charm and charisma that many athletes possess. Nor does he cater to reporters for their approval.  LeBron seems to march to the beat of his own drum. And, his detractors do not like the sound of his music....... Some of the hatred can be traced to his "Big Decision" a few years ago. You remember it. It was the big decision when he was a free agent on where he was gonna play after he left the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was courted by many teams, including the Chicago Bulls, and the staged "drama" played out in the public court. He chose Miami, which pissed off a lot of cities who wanted him. Chicago was the most vocal (well, really, Cleveland was because they were losing him) and the fans ridiculed the pomposity of LeBron for making his decision such a laughable farce. This, I had to agree with, for he was poorly advised by his agent and public relations people. He came off looking arrogant and self-important....... What was lost in the fury of him going to Miami was the fact that he did nothing wrong in changing teams. While the haters cried foul that he was deserting Cleveland for big money, the truth was that he simply took a better business offer somewhere else, something that all of us do also. All of us, given the chance, would take a business opportunity with a rival company if the terms suited our future. Whatever your job is, if the company across the street offered more money, more recognition of your talent and abilities, and more success, would you not take the job offer, regardless of the loyalty to your employer factor? Of course you would. Who wouldn't? LeBron was looking to his future, his chance for the Big Brass Ring. Again, how he did it was wrong---- with a foolish announcement that he and his advisors mistakenly thought was of world importance---- but, the actual deed was well within his right in the right-to-work world we live in. Its called Free Enterprise....... By the way, most of the proceeds Team LeBron made with the TV special went to charity....... So, let's look at his on-court playing. Do people hate him for this? Yes, many do. He has been called a cheap-shot artist, a cheat, a crybaby, and highly overrated. Non of this is true. Those criticisisms come from opinion, not fact. Crybaby? He complains aboutbbad calls not going his way, something every athlete does, going back to grade school. A cheat? Where and when has this happened? No examples come to my mind or any other person I have asked. Cheap-shot artist? Well, I've seen many a player go cheap on him. But he has never been in trouble with the league for his behavior. In fact, most players he has played against respect his talent. He is quite professional on the court. Does he have enemies in the NBA? Yes, he does, for everybody does who is so high profile. The common saying about LeBron James is: "He is no Michael Jordan!"....... You remember Michael Jordan, don't ya? He was the Greatest Basketball Player Ever. And, he certainly was. Jordan was poetry in motion, a man of extraordinary talent and skill. He walked on a basketball court and slayed his enemies. Watching Michael Jordan play basketball was like watching history in the making. Plus, Jordan was a charismatic man whom the media adored. He made good copy, with a handy quote and a welcome quip. And, a ready smile. The camera loved him---- which, remember, is very important to a public figure---- and his face gleamed out to millions of ready fans and non-fans of basketball. Such was the love Jordan inspired, that his darker personal life never came to the surface during his playing days. The rampant infidelities, the absentee father, the gambling addiction, etc, were all swept under the carpet because Jordan was so beloved. As long as he produced magic, Michael Jordan was Mr. Clean-Cut, the hero of millions....... Unlike LeBron James. LeBron is the anti-Jordan, a man viewed as sullen and uncooperative to the public. He is selfish, his detractors protest. If he only acted like Michael Jordan, then, he would be OK, so they say. My answer is, "Why should he be like Jordan?" We already have the real article, why do we need a rerun? LeBron James lives his life on his own terms, and until evidence is brought forth against him, he does not seem to hurt or abuse the people around him or his public with his behavior. Locally, we have behavior of a certain hockey player, Patrick Kane, that is reprehensible on so many levels. Yet, he is constantly let off for his conduct because he benefits the Blackhawks by playing well. This seems to be forgotten in this town because Kane serves the interests of his fans. When that stops, look for him to be thrown to the wolves (which he royally deserves). Until then, the media loves him and will overlook his foibles. LeBron does not get that pass........ One more thing about the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James connection. Is LeBron better that Michael? Is he a better all-around player than the Original King? I think Jordan was a better player in most categories but LeBron haters are not comfortable with the comparison. They feel it is an insult to compare him to Jordan, as if acknowledging LeBron's strengths somehow tarnishes the glow of Air Jordan and his legacy. When comparisons of athletes from different eras, with different playing styles, are made, the older generation gets defensive and vitriolic. "How dare you say he was as great as Michael Jordan?!! Jordan was the greatest ever!!!" And, then, they will spew out statistics that support their righteous indignation. They may be right in their defense but the core of the debate is one of defensiveness and a feeling that their hero may be eclipsed or forgotten by the public. And, they blame the young upstart, the perceived threat to the legacy of The Great One. I find this most notable in the LeBron Haters Club. They instantly segue into the "He's no Jordan!" Or, "Jordan was better!" argument. Never mind that it is a winless debate on both sides of the aisle. Jordan is Jordan and James is James. There is no need to pit one against the other in a phantom contest....... So, the hate of LeBron James goes dribbling on, probably, for as long as the man will be playing. Whatever more he achieves on the basketball court has yet to be written. In due time, he will retire and with that will come a public rehabilitation of his character and a new-found respect for his abilities......  By that time, the next basketball sensation will be on the scene, someone the press and public will call "The New LeBron James." This person will take the same grief and slings from the arrows that LeBron experiences now. And, he will be hated by some. The argument from those people will be, "He is no LeBron".......

Boredom's Companion

Fred was set to go fishing and we all had to know about it. You know a guy like Fred. Someone who is absolutely in love with the sound of his voice. Fred is never short of opinions and theories. Everyone knows someone like Fred, be it a neighbor, a relative, or the blowhard at work. The ''Fred'' character insists on telling you----without any prompting on your part---- EVERY FACET OF HIS LIFE. Be it the home life, what his wife does at work and the people she deals with [Never mind that you have never met Mrs. Fred, nor desire to] or, the long-ago story of when Fred was 22 and encountered a situation identical to yours. Well, not identical---- the ''Fred'' type of person needs to TOP your story with his. All the endless and repetitive yarns of Fred are spun, none to your actual interest. Well, my ''Fred'' was going to the Canadian border to do some fishing. Apparently, the fish taste better with a Northern flavor. Fred is going with his buddies, a group of people who must be the carbon copy of Fred because no sane human being would spend a week with Fred without heavy alcohol and narcotics to buffer you. They will fish and talk. And, talk. AND, TALK. All the while casting their lines to catch some unsuspecting carp that will just be swimming by. Eventually, a fish will be caught and hauled aboard the boat. And, Fred and his mates will offer up endless chatter about various other times they have caught something similar. Meanwhile, the poor fish, if he hasn't already died from the catch, most likely, will try to fling himself off the boat back into the water to escape the boredom of the talk. With luck, the mini-''Jaws'' will succeed. But, sadly, probably not. The last thing the fish will experience in life will be hearing Fred talk about a fish he caught in 1969. The fish does have one advantage over us humans. The fish will not have to look at the pictures of the trip that I will see when Fred comes back......... Herb likes movies and old TV shows. So do I, which is why he likes talking to me. Herb is an amiable fellow, I'd say around sixty. He kinda of resembles the ''Stay Puft Marshmallow Man'' from ''Ghostbusters'', although, Herb doesn't have the sparkling eyes. His are mostly half-closed, like he is just about to fall asleep but is barely able to keep awake. Herb likes to talk , too. But, unlike Fred, Herb actually has interesting things to say. Sometimes. Many times it is all dribble, with me looking at him and thinking, ''What the fuck are you talking about?'' Herb is another type of guy that you know. Someone who is essentially a good guy, but excruciatingly BORING, with a capital BORING. But, he is decent and knows his movies and television. Boy, does he ever!! Whenever we rap, he will ask if I saw such-and-such show last night, or, if I have seen any good movies lately. Usually, my answer is a negative because I am in the cycle of not watching much new programming and have been settling in for my nightly viewing with a nice return to past entertainment pleasures. Herb will then tell me about what he recently watched. More than tell me: He will recite verbatim EVERY PART OF THE MOVIE OR SHOW HE HAS SEEN. From what the actors were wearing to how they delivered the lines, my mini Roger Ebert dissects his viewing down to the smallest detail. This would be fine if Herb could tell a story. But, to my hearts regret, Herb couldn't ad-lib a fart in a bean eating contest. His retelling of the fine entertainment is enough to drive you up a wall. Recently, Herb told me about his viewing of a show recently in such boring detail that I actually started weeping openly. Herb asked if everything was alright and I covered up my true thoughts by saying his story reminded me of a painful past incident from my life. Which was awkward because he was describing a ''Gilligan's Island'' episode. But, like the tough soldier I am, I nodded my head and listened, all the while hoping that his mile-long sentence would have a period coming so I could jump in and change the topic. It didn't happen. Herb went on talking. And, I grew conscious of the fact that I would never get these minutes of my life back again......... By the way, Fred and Herb are good friends. When they talk, I wonder who is really listening........ Barbara is a ''Millennial'' child. Meaning, she talk in codes and phrases that I do not understand. Stuff like ''OMG!'' when something is unbelievable to her. There are times, after I am done talking to her, that I have to Google her terms to see what she was talking about and to make sure she is not calling me an asshole.  Barbara is harmless, though, just very immature for someone her age. Barbara is also someone who has no filter when it comes to telling you a story about her life. She is one of those people that tells you EVERYTHING on her mind. Literally, EVERYTHING. She will start a conversation on one topic, and then, swerve into another, and then, take the next mental lane into another, and before you know it, my brain is trying to unscramble information. I feel like a fly caught in a spiders web. Every time I try to mentally unscramble, Barbara just pours more info on, as I helpless try to escape her clutches. Eventually, I cry ''Uncle!'' and just smile and pretend that I am listening to every word. My brain can do that with some people: while they are spewing useless talk, I am going through in my head the things I need to do, like, stop for gas, get some groceries, call that hooker. Barbara, God love her, never picks up that I have gone into a vegetable state of mind and I am just breathing with the phantom air ventilator until she concludes her tales. Meanwhile, like in the movies, calendar pages, signaling time, are flying around, along with my growing a beard........ I tell these stories myself because we all have these types of people in our lives. Well-meaning, good- natured people that you dread getting stuck talking to. They mean well, but they bore the shit out of you........ To not listen, though, would be impolite, and we all weren't raised that way. Plus, these people, inevitably, have no one else to tell their life stories to. I keep telling myself this when I get trapped into listening to them. Whenever I happen to stumble in their sight and cannot run away [I don't run] I say to myself that this time might be different, that they may actually peak my interest and tell me something that will stimulate me. Alas, I am wrong and my dreams die quickly as I listen to how the newborn had diarrhea, or a funny scene in the movie happened this way, or the fish lodge was out of quarters. But, I listen because I want to be nice. My only job is to try to stifle the yawn I am brewing........ And, I'm sure they are thinking,''Jim is very quiet and serious. Maybe, I will tell him about my Great-Uncle, who was quiet and serious''...........

The Champ

As I write these words, Muhammad Ali is being laid to rest in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a big media affair, with thousands of people milling around. Some are media barons, just doing their job and hoping that some incident will occur that they can capture. Some are celebrities---- actual friends of Ali, and the celebrities looking for a little publicity to, I guess, further their public image and career. But, most are fans of Ali's. They are of all colors and nationalities. One thing about Muhammad Ali must be said: He spanned the different cultures of the world and all types of people embraced him. All in all, it looks like a big media show honoring the self-styled ''Greatest Of All Time''. I'm sure it would please him.......... I have always had mixed feelings about Muhammad Ali. Unlike the public and media, I have a long memory. I remember the good and the bad in people........ The GOOD in Ali was dazzling. He was a triumphant fighter, in the ring he was, as the cliche says, ''Floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee''. A massive talent, he danced and jabbed. He taunted and played possum. He was wounded and then came out swinging to the Heavens. And, he was a superb entertainer, both in the ring and out of it. He loved the cameras and they loved him. Always quick-witted, he had a handy quote for any occasion. Some were thoughtful and funny. Some were damned and goddamned as being arrogant and judgmental. His back and forth camera sparring with Howard Cosell was legendary. On Saturday afternoons, ABC had ''Wide World Of Sports'' on its schedule. It seemed, once a month, the Ali-Cosell Show would parade across the airwaves for the home viewers. It was a comedy act, mostly, with Cosell as the Straight Man and Ali as the Comedienne. Back and forth they both went, with each trying to top the other in verbal exchanges. They were playing for the camera and the audience. And, both responded most generously........ There was also Muhammad Ali the champion boxer. He slayed him opponents with a ferocious intensity. He went up against the finest of his times. Names like Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Ken Norton became partners in the ring with him. A few times he lost, like with Frazier. But, he mostly succeeded. Ali first came to prominence in 1964 when he astonished the world by beating the heavily-favored Sonny Liston for the championship belt. The public was stunned that this loudmouth, who already was dividing people with his opinions and behavior, had knocked out Liston. It wasn't until many years had passed that the true story came out. Sonny Liston was Mob owned. And, in a classic example of the Mob controlling the fights, right out of a movie, Sonny Liston was ordered to ''take a dive.'' The Mob placed all of its money on the underdog, Ali, and cleaned up the action. Whether Ali was in on this or knew about this, is an open question. But, he had to have known that Liston was not giving out his best in the ring that night......... Still, after this fight, Muhammad Ali grew in stature. He became a public hero for the times, especially, among the black population. He was a classic story right out of a fairy tale. He came up from nothing, with the odds stacked against him because of his color, and he rose to the highest levels of acclaim. Black children looked up to Ali as a Role Model. And, he deserved to be on that pedestal because he DID overcome a lot in his time. He DID face hardships and prejudice. He DID have nothing going for him except his talent and his remarkable personality. He was a smart, proud black man, in an society that did not want that. He was a THREAT to many.......... Then, he made a major mistake. This is where the BAD Muhammad Ali came courting. He foolishly joined the Black Muslims under the vile leadership of the ''Honorable Elijah Mohammed''. You would have to look long and hard to find out where he was so ''Honored'', for he was a race hustler and separatist who hated all white people. Like any good race hustler, Elijah Mohammed mixed reality issues with his prejudices to create a doctrine that fed into his pockets with money [Green is the true favorite color of race hustlers]. He called all white people ''Devils'', and called for black men to take up arms against the white establishment. Malcolm X [another racist that flowered under the ''Honorable''] and many others of the Black Muslim movement preached this hate. And, sadly, so did Muhammad Ali. In fact, he embraced this garbage so much that he renounced his real name, Cassius Clay, and became Muhammad Ali. He claimed that Cassius Clay was a slave name given to him by white people, overlooking that his parents gave him that name........ Muhammad Ali went full-throttle into the movement. Not only changing his name but storming the media with the words of the ''Honorable.'' Overnight, he became a polarizing figure. He turned into the very racist that he claimed white people were. He preached the gospel of the ''Honorable'' and became estranged from his family and friends. The movement controlled him and brought out a hateful side to him. Even his loyal trainer in boxing, Angelo Dundee, was taken aback by his harsh dismissal of boxing and all that it gave him. Ali even had the audacity to say he didn't believe in violence----- ignoring the fact that he made millions in a sport that is violent, and also, forgetting that he favored the violent overthrow of the white establishment. He spewed venom and rage, mingling it, like his mentor, the ''Honorable'', taught him to do, with real issues and real problems in every day black life. He exploited his very own people that he said he was trying to help. Finally, he refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War, therebye, paving the way for him to be stripped of his heavyweight championship title. Throughout the 1960's and early 70's, Muhammad Ali remained someone you either loved or hated. And, sadly, it went by racial lines........ But, in this world, we love to bring back a champion. Because of his extraordinary charisma and boxing skills, Muhammad Ali came back with force to take the heavyweight championship title again. He did not go to jail for his draft dodging, for he employed many fine lawyers to keep him out of the pokey [most of these lawyers were Jewish, which must have made interesting conversations between Ali and the ''Honorable'']. And, Ali showed his prowess again in the ring, usually defeating his opponents in most entertaining fights. He still managed to polarize, but, his tone lowered, his demeanor softened, and, the rage and racist chants he spouted in the 60's  seemed to go away. Whether he still believed the ideas of the Black Muslim movement, we do not know. He still could have. But, he kept his personal politics private, where it should be for everyone of every color. And, his hero status grew, especially, among black young men. He encouraged black men to stop fighting each other and to get an education. He said that we should all live together in harmony. He said that white people weren't all ''Devils'' like his foolish hero stated. This new Ali was most welcome. While he still brought up the valid important discrepancies among the races that exist, he did not point angry fingers anymore. As his boxing career came to a conclusion, Muhammad Ali cleansed his public image and became universally admired and beloved. He gave to charities and spoke up for the forgotten. He put his money where his mouth was. He became the most famous person on the planet, it has been said. He could go anywhere in the world and be known. He was the World's Ambassador For Good Will......... Then, the Parkinson's hit him. Speculation is that it was tied into his boxing career. He took too many punches, stayed in the sport for too long. Like all Parkinson's victims, the disease starts slow, with mild tremors. Then, it builds to a horrible intensity that leaves the victim with a  constant shaking. Muhammad Ali went from a supreme specimen of human strength to a sad victim of disease that ravaged his body. In his final years, he would be seen less and less. This once vital and captivating force of nature could not control his body anymore. He knew it and that is probably why he didn't want his public to see him this way. While Ali never put it in public words, I'm thinking he wanted the public and his fans to remember him as he was, the mighty champion of strength and verbal wit, striding along in and out of the ring, vanishing all contenders that came his way. Part of this thinking is ego, yes. But, part of it---- again, I'm speculating here---- is Ali's recognition that we all need heroes in life. We all should be our own hero, of course. But, we need someone else to look to for inspiration and guidance, at times.  For many, it is your parents and your children and your mates. However, Ali knew that in the black community----which, was and still is, his greatest influence---- he could not look weak and human. He must, in their eyes, be the tower of strength and achievement that he always was. Perhaps, that is why he became such a recluse in his final years. Partly because he physically could not handle being out in public. But, also, because he was MUHAMMAD ALI, THE GREATEST. He could not let them down to see he was human, like the rest of us......... As I have said above, I always have mixed feelings about Muhammad Ali. I admire the fighter and showman. He was a hell of a lot of fun to watch and listen to. But, I also see the other side to him. It is always hard for me to forgive hate in its rawest form. He did a lot of damage in his time between the races, at a time when it was most volatile. And, him not serving in the military I find shameful. His feeble excuse about not serving the interests of the United States Government because of its racist behavior towards blacks can only go so far. Jackie Robinson served in World War Two and experienced a hell of a lot more prejudice than Ali ever did. But, he served his country honorably and was a vocal critic of Ali during the Vietnam War for not going into the military......... Perhaps, time does heal wounds. But, not all of them. As Ali is laid to rest today, his legacy is yet to be written. It won't be until several generations have passed and, hopefully, racial relations have gotten better........ I will pick his Greatest moment. It is not in the boxing ring or a quote of his. It is his appearance at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The torch was to be lit to start the ceremonies. Speculation ran rampant at the time whom would be the one to do the honor. To the wonderful surprise of everyone, it was Muhammad Ali. There he was, older, feeling the effects of his Parkinson's Disease, holding the flame torch. The crowd in the stadium went wild, as did hundreds of millions who watched around the world. The Champ smiled a big smile. You could tell he was honored and touched by the reception he was receiving. It did bring chills to you and a few tears in the eyes. He lit the torch. And, for one last, historic, glorious moment, Muhammad Ali was the Greatest again..........