LESSON OF THE WEEK: What We Can Learn from LeBron James’ Career (Act III)
Heading South: Ego, A Close Enemy & A Closer Friend
When LeBron James took his ‘talents’ to South Beach, his life changed forever. Not because of two championships that were to come, not because he assembled the best trio of players in basketball history; not even because he finally married to high school sweetheart. The narrative changed on LeBron, the sentiments altered, the respect diminished. In Cleveland, LeBron was “The Chosen One”, the home town hero, the guy who didn’t care about money or fame; just about winning. That never changed in his decision to depart to Miami, but when the narrative changed, things got tricky. Essentially overnight, LeBron went from universally loved to overtly hated.
Why?
Because he left a situation that was no longer healthy for him? Because he resigned from a boss who blatantly showed he didn’t care for LeBron other than as a revenue generator? Or, maybe because a superstar finally decided he wanted to clock into work everyday with his best friends, and be successful while doing it. The truth within this reality is this: everybody wants to see you do better, until it inconveniences their narrative. Unfortunately, LeBron’s response to the unwarranted criticism was not handled responsibly. The ensuing year, 2011, is considered the season to be LeBron’s biggest failure. The worst part about it, that’s exactly what everybody wanted. The failure wasn’t because LeBron lost a step, because the new team lacked chemistry, or because coaching & ownership lacked accountability. Those excuses were off the table this go around, LeBron failed because his ego took control. The ego noticed nobody was on LeBron’s side, slithering in at the opportunity to be his ‘friend’. Countless times since the moment of falter against the Dallas Mavericks, LeBron has stated that failure haunts him to this very day. In that NBA Finals, for as wise and insightful as LeBron is, lost sight of his truth. He played with hate, revenge on his mind, no remorse considered..
The ego enlisted as his friend, with an agenda. The ego took him as far as it wanted to ride, showed him the riches and self gratification of tapping into the ‘other side’ of ourselves. But when resistance got strongest, the ego bailed on him, because ego is a coward. The negative narrative took over LeBron’s life that season, he entered uncharted waters and ego smelled blood. The result: failure, failure to the muse. A failure so painful, not even death knows that sting. All for what? Just to prove to everyone else that you’re right.
That’s the funny trick ego plays on us all, it convinces us that being right overrides our happiness and our truth. Ego tells us that haters need to be responded to with harshness, that revenge is the only correct choice. Ego disguises as our friend; it facades as our confidant, our domain, our advice giver. Fuck that. The ego is only your friend when you hold it accountable to it’s bullshit, otherwise, the ego is nothing more than our enemy. In the midst of this lowest point, LeBron had “The Decision” to make yet again. Moving forward: he could run back to the echo chamber configured by his ego and succumb to its manipulation. Or, he could endure the pain of defeat in the chest, and learn from this experience to keep the ego close. Manipulate ego to be HIS friend, to remind him never run back to that place of darkness. Being the villain looks cool, but that’s all it is, a visual. Some people will wait their entire lives for that “About Damn Time” moment of realization, fortunately, LeBron had his just one year later. And once again, the year after that.
Take that, ego.