Has there ever been another athlete — anytime, anywhere — who lacks self-awareness as badly as LeBron James?
From the large “CHOSEN1” tattoo on his back to proclaiming himself the greatest player of all time, James apparently is unaware of his own shameless vanity and arrogance. Anyone else would be mortified.
Now he has done it again. Earlier this month, The “Chosen1” wore a special uniform patch that read, “All-time Leader in Field Goals.” It’s a patch that honors … himself!
Hooray for me!
He’s the first player to wear a patch (or any other designation) honoring a personal statistical achievement.
Not surprisingly (at least to the rest of us), he got roasted online.
“LeBron James ridiculed by NBA fans for adding ‘arrogant’ personalization to Lakers jersey” — Daily Mail.
“The most narcissistic athlete in the history of all sports,” said WFAN Sports Radio host Craig Carton.
Narcissism is defined as a mental health condition characterized by a long-term pattern of grandiosity, an excessive need for admiration …
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar never wore a patch that read “All-time scoring leader.”
John Stockton never wore a patch that read “All-time assist leader.”
Michael Jordan never wore a patch that read “5-time MVP.” Or “6-time Finals MVP.” Or “6-time NBA champion.”
Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal — they never wore patches.
They certainly wouldn’t have thought of such a thing and, even if someone had suggested it, they would have recoiled at the idea.
But there was James earlier this month wearing a jersey patch noting he was all-time field goal leader, a dubious feat he accomplished simply by playing longer than anyone ever. It certainly does nothing to dispel the perception that he’s chasing stats.
While he’s at it, there are some other patches he should sew on his uniform:
- All-time Missed Shots Leader
- All-time Turnovers Leader
- All-time Leader in Playoff Losses
You would have thought James or his handlers would have learned by now. This is not the first time he has embarrassed himself.
In 2018, James posted an Instagram message TO HIMSELF as he neared the milestone of his 30,000th point: “Wanna be one of the first to Congratulate you on this accomplishment/achievement tonight that you’ll reach!”
A few years ago, he hinted he might retire (no one believed him) and then he announced, “The day I can’t give the game everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done. Lucky for you guys, that day is not today.”
Lucky for you guys?
Remember when James declared that the greatest-of-all-time debate ended when his team won the 2016 NBA Finals? “That one right there made me the greatest player of all time,” he said. “That’s what I felt.”
The reaction from former players: That’s something left for others to say, and, besides, there was this player named Michael Jordan (not to mention Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Bill Russell and many more) …
James made a career out of moving from team to team to surround himself with all-stars to help him win championships. When he made the first of those moves, he held an overhyped press conference/pep rally in which he famously announced, “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach.”
He once wore a shirt emblazoned with the words “LBJ MVP” shirt and another one that read, “Check my $tats.”
When a college player dunked on him at a Nike camp, camp organizers confiscated video of the camp (but it’s still out there).
James and his handlers are probably coming up with new ways to attract attention. Perhaps a single spotlight that will shine on him as he runs (and flops) on the court. Or flashing neon lights sewn into his uniform.
At the outset of the season, the NBA gave James a patch that honored his record-breaking 23rd season in the league, which will be removed from his jersey after each game and sold as a trading “card” to collectors. Asked why the NBA would give James a patch, former star player Reggie Miller said, “I have no idea. That’s odd …”
Yes, it’s just plain odd.
