Lebron James Labels Himself 'Easiest Target In Sports'
Lebron James says he is sure that he is the easiest target in sports.
James, the 29-year-old Miami Heat forward, may have two NBA rings but the fact that he had to be carried off of the court with four minutes left in Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals made him the object of scrutiny. The Heat's 110-95 loss came about after both teams were forced to play without air conditioning in an arena that exceeded 90 degrees, according to Sports Illustrated reports.
While the Spurs played through the lack of air conditioning due to an electrical issue, James was noticeably absent from the court after being carried off due to cramping in the fourth quarter. After the Heat's loss, various memes appeared online making light of the James' pain and early exit.
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However, James is not surprised by being poked fun of on social media and beyond.
"I know I'm the easiest target that we have in sports, I'm aware of it," James told ESPN's Michael Wilbon on Friday. "I really am. I believe it."
Still, James' is no stranger to this type of pressure after joining the NBA straight out of high school in 2003. When he left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Heat in a surprise move in 2010, James became even more heavily scrutinized.
He revealed why he is not letting the added pressure and scrutiny affect his game in the championship finals.
"For me, all I can control is what I control. For me, as one of the leaders of our team, one of the biggest competitors of our team, and knowing what it takes to win, for me, I'll maintain my focus and get ready for Game 2," James told ESPN's Wilbon. "(There's) anger in the sense that I wasn't able to be out there for my teammates to possibly help them win Game 1 of the Finals. But what I can control is what I do to prepare myself mentally going to the next game."
It seems James has learned from former NBA stars Isaiah Thomas and Jerry West when it comes to overcoming the pressure and negativity that comes with his level of fame.
"I can't play the game of basketball and live my life on what other people expect me to do or what they think I should do, that doesn't make me happy. What makes me happy is being able to make plays for my teammates, to be able to represent the name on the back of my jersey," James told ESPN. "That's what makes me happy. What everybody else thinks? That doesn't really matter to me."
Although James managed to be his team's leading scorer with 25 points in Game 1,the lack of air conditioning in San Antonio's AT&T arena. The former NBA Finals MVP shut down most of the press awaiting him after the game and opened up to a pool reporter about his issues during the game.
James said he would be ready to face the Spurs for Game 2 on Sunday in their arena.
"I look forward to Game 2 and go from there," James told a pool reporter after the first game.
