I'd be lying if I said I wasn't genuinely happy for LeBron James last night.
I'd bunkered myself in a corner, shut myself out from the real world and put everything I had into being an Oklahoma City Thunder fan. You don't have the opportunity to ride this wave often, and by the time the thrashing was in full effect in the fourth quarter, I'd already checked out of Homer-land.
Now that reality has sunk in, there's only three things to say.
1. You've got to either hope and pray or be terrified to death of the chance that the Oklahoma City Thunder squad will learn from this moment and get better. (Begins hoping and praying.) The Thunder just weren't ready for that stage, not yet. Truthfully, no championship team worth its salt is ready for that stage until they've gone through some things, and it's a journey that will be fun to "witness" moving forward.
2. LeBron Raymone James was awe-inspiring. I had to draw a line in the sand on my appreciation for LeBron during this NBA Finals, and coincidentally I had to cut off communication with anyone associated with the Heat. The Miami Heat were the better team, LeBron James is the best player in the world, and it was a humbling experience to "witness." Folks, he's still just 27. Still a scary thought that he's just entering his true prime.
3. The NBA season is over. One of the craziest seasons I've ever "witnessed." A sight to behold, a jam-packed schedule, chaos and controversy, and a damn good ride over the last 8 months is finished. Thank God we have the NBA back.
Here is your pertinent reading material for Friday. Enjoy the weekend, everybody.
SLAM Online: Hakeem Olajuwon Asks LeBron James Critics to ‘Shut Up’
Dime Magazine: The New York Post Goes Right at LeBron
Daily Thunder: Friday Bolts – 6.22.12
Dan LeBetard: Burden finally lifted for Pat Riley, LeBron James and Miami Heat
Pro Basketball Talk: NBA Finals: Season over, but LeBron/Durant rivalry just beginning
SB Nation: Kendrick Perkins Played With Groin Injury Last 3 Games For Thunder
Jason Whitlock: Humbled LeBron grows into champion
Hardwood Paroxysm: LeBron James And Our Primitive Dread
Ball Is Life: Barkley says LeBron could be better than Jordan on First Take
Adrian Wojnarowski: LeBron carries championship crown after hard look at himself and his game
Wall Street Journal: Liking LeBron
Eddie Maisonet is the founder and editor emeritus of The Sports Fan Journal. Currently, he serves as an associate editor for ESPN.com. He is an unabashed Russell Westbrook and Barry Switzer apologist, owns over 100 fitteds and snapbacks, and lives by Reggie Jackson’s famous quote, “I am the straw that stirs the drink.”
