Regarding James's assessment, I have always thought that this is not a pure player. It is easy to understand that most of the decisions James has made since his debut are basically about how to maximize his own value, especially commercial value. I've never seen a player whose influence on the field can reach this level, and James must be the first man in the field. One might say, is this criticizing James? It also depends on how you understand it. If you look at this from the perspective of the planning of your entire life, James is bound to be successful. And if you look at it from the basketball field, this kind of basketball with other factors mixed with other factors is still a little bit unpure.
This is actually one of the reasons why some fans like Durant and do not like James. Durant's ability, from individual ability to team ability, the comprehensive level is not as good as James's. But his love for basketball is higher than James's. Because durant from the court to the court, almost all parts of life, are closely related to basketball. For James, basketball is a tool to increase influence and a weapon to change the backward class. For Durant, basketball is a friend, a refuge from reality.
There's no denying that James does have an innate charisma and talent. After being drafted by the Cavaliers, James is already the brightest sports superstar on the planet. This is not an exaggeration, from James leaving the training hall, to entering the arena, to the press conference after the game, and even the fan meeting, almost all of them are full of fans. James has unparalleled popularity, and for a young player who is not yet 19 years old, it is just a daily routine.
Many people worry that James will be confused in this so-called pursuit, after all, without strong self-control, children coming out of the slums will indeed have a hard time resisting these so-called temptations. But James is different, when the agent communicates with him and is ready to discuss how to deal with these fanatical fans, James will always confidently respond: "It doesn't matter, I will deal with it." James has long been adept at such scenes, especially in media interviews, as an alliance politician.
Say something that may not be clear to everyone. After most players enter the league, the team will arrange for special teachers to guide them on how to deal with these annoying media. A lot of players, including Kobe Bryant, aren't really very good at it. They like to immerse themselves in the basketball court and speak with strength. Instead of facing the media camera, constantly smirking and speaking cautiously. But James is different, he doesn't even have to learn much, he knows what language to use to respond to the media that is ready to make things difficult for him. Some say that if James loses his job, he can certainly do a good PR.
James on the court knows how to use his influence to make money, and James on the court also knows how to equip his arsenal. For James, the two are mutually reinforcing. Efficient output on the field, improving their personal image and value, in exchange for higher returns off the field. During the summer league, the team's head coach had James play the number one position. One of the more accurate reasons for this is that James, in addition to his strong physical fitness when he entered the league, his big picture view and passing skills were also very good. The Cavaliers at the time were trying to see if James could swing from the number one position to the fourth position.
Soon, James personally realized something was wrong. This style of play can not fully play to his own advantages, for him personally, this is a kind of play that is not cost-effective. Similarly, he fed the situation back to management. Then at the start of the regular season, James moved to the third position, the position he was most familiar with. It can be clearly seen that James is adjusting his work in a purposeful and planned manner in order to export his value most efficiently.
So why did James become the cardinal's best man to play positionless basketball? Because James has built his own system very chicken- and thief-like, this system has the efficiency of the times, but also has a clear personal character. James' own system requires supporting roles based on his ability, including long-term assistants, guard tops, and shooters who play without the ball. In James's system, the traditional concept of position has failed, because James can appear in any position. Can be organized, can score points, and can even act as an inside line.
Here we have to mention James's talent, his small forward height, perverted superhuman physical condition, and passing ability, which gives James the ability to control any situation that occurs on the court. As long as there are loopholes, James can fill them in time. In this case, the problem of the team vulnerability is perfectly solved. In the past, the situation that the team was prone to collapse in one link and all the links were broken will inevitably not reappear in James. Here, whether you say egoism or team effect, James has achieved the optimal solution.
I have never doubted that James' success has an aerony side to it, but he can adapt to the changing times, which many players in the same period could not do. For example, if Anthony had started to correct his high-ball playing style from the early stages, adapting to a part of the no-ball and improving his defense, he would not have wandered in multiple teams in the middle and late stages. James realized this early on, so he honed his technique after each season, from back-to-back skills to foot details to the optimal value of passing. Even his maintenance of his body, you can understand this as a kind of egoism, prolonging his career while changing to improve his influence.
To be honest, if the last game of this year's regular season is not scolded by everyone, or the Lakers may even have a little turnaround, James will inevitably play again. An elderly scoring king, the blessing of his honor is too great. Some say it's nonsense, but I'd say James' desire to score this season is second only to his peak. Why? James has given up defense completely this season and put all his energy into offense. Just to say, do you think it's reasonable for a small forward with a defensive efficiency of only 113.5, ranked 299, to average 30.3 points per game?