2011 NBA playoffs were highly entertaining! The final game broke the previous record for the most watched NBA finals game.
In my opinion, spectator interest was due to the fact that the finals consisted of two top NBA teams.
Many basketball fans tuned in to see Lebron James, or King James, come up short at his first attempt to win his first championship ring with the Miami Heat.
It has been well documented that since James left his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers last summer to join his friends in Miami, his positive image of NBA icon changed from one of the most beloved players of all time to one of the most hated and despised superstars in NBA history.
I believe many basketball fans feel this way not because he decided to leave Cleveland, but the way he went about it.
Last summer was the Lebron Show with the media analyzing and predicting what James's next move would be.
After the 2010 NBA series ended, it seemed that Sport Center was continuously discussing the future of superstar, Lebron James.
In James home town of Cleveland, where he played high school basketball, he was then drafted from high school straight to the NBA with the first pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
For James, it was a dream come true for him and his home town fans.
But after several seasons of the Cavaliers failing to make it out of the first round of the playoffs, Lebron's contract was up.
James decided to test the free agent market.
Many teams throughout the league hoped to sign James and there was much speculation to where he would finally sign.
In retrospect, Cleveland fans remained optimistic and believed that there was no chance that James would turn his back on his beloved home town and sign with another team.
James withheld his decision and waited until he finally provided the media his answer.
Lebron James did something unprecedented that was never seen before in NBA history.
James scheduled a live one hour broadcasting interview on ESPN, which he himself named, "The Decision.
" From right then, James quickly lost the respect and admiration of many NBA fans.
James turned his announcement on his NBA future into a media circus.
In the interview, James waited to the last minute to tell the interviewer of his decision.
The interview was a marketing circus since James simply dragged out telling the audience of what everyone wanted to know.
Many basketball analysts concur that past hall of fame players such as Michael Jordan or Larry Bird would have never allowed fans to endure this media circus.
A number of well respected ex-NBA players were quick to criticize James for making his decision on national television.
Ultimately, James went on the air announcing that he was taking his talents to South Beach.
His statement stunned the NBA nation, especially Cavalier basketball fans.
Cavaliers fans were totally outraged and chaos broke out in the streets of Cleveland with fans burning Lebron's number 23 Cavaliers jersey.
James egotistical and obnoxious behavior did not end with his outrageous national one hour broadcasting fiasco.
James immediately packed his bags and left his hometown of Cleveland for Miami without saying goodbye, without apologizing, without giving an explanation to his once dearly loved Cavaliers fans.
It seemed that James disappeared into the cold night, never to look back.
James abandoned his hometown where he had played for ever since he knew how to dribble a basketball, for the sunny beaches of South Florida.
Although Cavalier fans would have been angry with Lebron no matter how he departed, I strongly believe think his long dragged out announcement on national television added significantly to their resentment.
When Lebron informed the interviewer that he would sign with the Miami Heat, the owner of the Cavaliers was shocked and extremely disappointed.
The Cavaliers owner was infuriated with James, and could not believe he turned his back on a once flourishing relationship with himself and the city of Cleveland.
In addition, when James left the Cavaliers, he also left the team in shambles.
If James had any consideration of the Cavalier's organization, he could have worked out a deal with management to sign and then trade him.
Therefore, the Cavaliers would receive some talent in return.
Unfortunately, James shunned the team and the people who adored him and he ensured that Cavalier fans would detest him for leaving.
When James arrived in South Beach, he was greeted by his friend, Dwayne Wade, and Miami's another big free agent, All-Star power forward Chris Bosh.
This configuration of superstars would soon be called The Big Three having three all-stars/U.
S.
A gold winners on a single NBA team.
Many basketball fans felt that James was being a coward, joining an elite, pre-bought team because he failed to win a championship in Cleveland.
In adding to the fire of angry fans, The Big Three held a celebration at the Miami Heat's sold out stadium with the three all-stars prancing around the basketball court.
James declared to the city of Miami that he was there not to bring them one, or two championship rings, but to win five or six championships.
If James had any respect remaining from his NBA fans who adored him, he quickly lost admiration from his supporters.
Critics and NBA analysts were quick to bash James's decision to play for Miami, saying that Lebron took the coward's way out.
Opinions of the Lebron soon changed, saying he could never be compared to the all-time greats such as Michael Jordan.
Jordan remained loyal to the team that drafted him, Chicago Bulls.
Jordan did not become frustrated with his struggling early years as a member of the Bulls.
Jordan waited until all the pieces fell into place, setting the Bulls up to win 6 NBA championships.
Personally I feel that James received an astonishing huge amount of criticism from every angle.
I clearly do not agree with how James made his decision to leave the Cavaliers.
However, it is difficult to understand that this once glorified NBA superstar has overnight become one of the most despised players around the league.
No matter what anyone says, James remains one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball.
Although he has still not captured the NBA's elite prize, the championship trophy, fans must remember that Michael Jordan received his first championship ring at 27.
Entering the 2012 NBA season, ironically, Lebron James will be turning 27.
In short, only time will tell if Lebron James will match the career of all time great Michael Jordan.