Miami Heat." Critics raged that by making his decision into a highly publicized event, he revealed a narcissistic need for attention or that he was tactless and alienated fans. Regardless of whether his handling of this decision was proper, James' move to Miami gave way to "The LeBron James effect" in which NBA television ratings increased along with dramatically more traffic flow to NBA and ESPN web pages, mobile downloads and video streams. Professional basketball interest reached highs it had not experienced since Michael Jordan's popularity and eventual retirement in 1998.
“I won’t play this game forever. But the things we’re doing in the communities… they will last.”
The King James effect continues to ripple through the South Florida area. Last year, the Heat Group commissioned an economic analysis of its impact upon Miami, concluding that it is responsible for producing around $1.4 billion yearly, in addition to creating 21,000 jobs for local residents. The positive effects of this include more than $589 million annually in labor, $171 million in federal, state and local tax revenues and $918 million the for GDP.
In addition to these economic fruits for the area, LeBron James is dedicated to philanthropy, which casts him decidedly more as a hero than a villain considering his charitable record.
Proceeds from the ill-received Decision special went entirely to charity, resulting in over $2.5 million for the Boys and Girls Club of America, and they presented him with the “Champion of
Youth Award”in 2011. James was the only NBA player to be included in Parade Magazine's "Most Charitable Athletes," and he remains one of the league's biggest supporters of charitable work. He founded the LeBron James Family Foundation that provides aid to single parent households in the Ohio area, stemming from the memory of his own childhood struggles. He also created the “Wheels for Education” program to combat school dropouts and encourage American youths to value learning.
James possesses a forward thinking and concern for the community, all too rare in the world of professional athletes. He has admitted, "Kids are a huge passion of mine. I always said growing up, 'If I ever have an opportunity … I will always try to give back as much as possible.'" As to his future after basketball, James admirably admits, "I won't play this game forever. But the things we're doing in the communities, the things we're doing in the gymnasiums, in the computer labs, they will last. When I'm done playing basketball, I can still go back ... and see what we were able to accomplish ... That's important to me."
Those closest to James claim he is nothing like his villainous typecast, citing the fact that he has never been arrested despite being raised by a single mother with addiction problems and never knowing his father. They also defend his behavior by stating that obviously anyone in their twenties will be inclined to immaturity. In this light and considering his charitable works, shouldn't James be heralded as a hero and true champion of the American dream? As a three time NBA MVP, nine time NBA All-Star and as of January 13, 2012, the youngest player to reach 20,000 career points, Le City Deluxe hails LeBron as Miami's king and proof that talent, ambition and hard work can always trump mistakes, criticism and adversity
How did LeBron James earn the title of villain? It's hard to pinpoint the precise moment or provide a reasonable explanation. Perhaps it was his immaturity and occasional lack of social graces that soured his image. Perhaps it was his moodiness and frequent sullen expressions on the court that turned the public against him.
For a time, James accepted this characterization as part of his public persona, stating in interviews, "You start to hear 'the villain,' now you have to be the villain, you know, and I started to buy into it. I started to play the game of basketball at a level, or at a mind state that I've never played at before ... meaning, angry."
While James felt this characterization was undeserved, explaining, "It basically turned me into somebody I wasn't," it did serve to mold his image into something more fascinating and more complex than mere positive popularity could have brought him.
As early as 2008, LeBron James' Vogue cover with supermodel Gisele Bundchen sparked controversy after being blamed for contributing to the negative racial stereotype that African American men are dangerous and criminal.The shot seemed to reflect a King Kong motif with James posed as the angry, oversized gorilla, clutching a delicate white female, played by Gisele. While Vogue spokespersons denied any racial undertones, claiming it was meant to celebrate two professionals at the top of their game, critics could not help but relate the King Kong-esque image to James' self-endorsed "King James" title. The image was widely panned as being racially insensitive, and many chastised James for not being more careful with his image.
Meanwhile, James explained simply that he was, “just trying to show a little emotion.”
James' most controversial moment came in 2010 with his interview special, "The Decision" in which he revealed, "I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the