what most people forget is that michael jordan was not very well liked in the NBA for his first few years by veterans in the league and basketball "purists" who thought he was all flash, a guy more concerned about selling sneakers and putting up huge numbers than playing real basketball, getting his teammates involved, and winning championships. michael and the jordanaires. heck, the first air jordans were actually banned by the NBA.
then phil jackson came along. phil was able to convince jordan to trust his teammates. he still "got his," but did it as part of a team. only then did he start to win titles and cement his legacy as the GOAT.
lebron hasn't found his phil jackson yet... either because that person hasn't stepped out of the front office and onto the sidelines shown up yet, or lebron isn't willing to listen yet.
i think it's partially both.... paul silas is still the best coach he's had so far, but i don't know if lebron is willing to "buy in" to criticism just yet. heck, just look at how he mocks barkley in his commercial. what, exactly, did barkley say this offseason that was wrong? lebron just doesn't want to hear it.
kobe went through it as well. read phil's book "the last season." he KILLS kobe in that book for his shitty, me-first attitude. kobe figured it out. lebron hasn't yet.
I want to post a couple of opinions, but they may not be great since I'm really tired.
First, I know people didn't like Jordan for all those reasons. In fact, even after he "figured it out", people still hated Jordan because of his elitist attitude. He was better than everyone, and he knew it...and he made sure everyone knew it. Still, I think everyone could see he had changed his game, and the results brought in championships. The fact that people still hate Jordan for the type of person he was is why I speak carefully when I bring up the next opinion.
I am going to argue that Kobe still really hadn't figured it all out until last year. I don't know if Kobe really knew how to be a vocal leader without belittling his teammates. But when Gasol came to the Lakers, Kobe quickly realized that he had another star who knew what he was doing. And Pau fits in their system perfectly. I think it took those two working together to get Kobe to really understand how to rely on a teammate.
It would have been interesting to see what Cavs would be like right now if LeBron had stayed in Cleveland and Byron Scott was coach. Better yet...if Izzo had left Michigan State to coach LeBron. You're absolutely right. LeBron hasn't had a coach who teaches him a system and can prove it's value.
I really do think LeBron could figure it out. But, he has a huge, HUGE ego in his way. I think the Heat need to get a little embarrassed this season...perhaps lose in the first round to like New York or something. Then maybe this new big three will step off the stage with the flashing lights and realize that as good as they think they are, they need more than each other to win.
I just wish LeBron would show some humility in all this, rather than have a pity party for himself and throw blame all around. That is what rubs me the wrong way with him.
Edit: I didn't forget that Shaq was Kobe's teammate at one point.