Joe Chacon's Blog
Another year and another "Sportsman of the Year" award has been given out by Sports Illustrated. The recipient of this years award is LeBron James.
According to the official definition of the award, it is presented to "the athlete or team whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement."
So, in the eyes of Sports Illustrated, LeBron James did this better than anyone in 2012.
In scouring message boards and other news outlets, it appears many believe Serena Williams is the people's choice for the award. Williams won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, Olympic gold, and year-end championships.
James didn't do so bad for himself. He became just the second player to win a title, MVP and Olympic gold in the same year. But did James embody the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement better than every other player and team in the world during 2012?
It's hard to say. It is such an abstract award and to pinpoint exactly who should win it every year would be a futile effort.
For James, he undoubtedly does a lot of stuff off the court that many aren't aware of, including lots of charity work in his hometown of Akron, OH.
James is painted as a pompous, selfish player by many fans around the league, but perhaps it is time to give him a chance to be a fan favorite in the same way we've done to other players over the years.
To his credit, James has stayed out of trouble and conducts himself well on and off the court. Is he going to be hated forever?
Sound Off: Do you agree with LeBron James being chosen as the 2012 Sportsman of the Year?
Joe Chacon is a staff writer for Operation Sports and a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.
# 1
paconaifas @ Dec 6
I´ve never liked him, and never will, so, yes, he will be hated forever, at least by me!
# 2
CoreySA @ Dec 6
Sure Serena may have had a bunch of accolades, but she gives umpires nothing but problems on the court - even threatening them before, so calling her a good sport is a tad far fetched.
Not only did LeBron win the accolades, but dealt with players hitting him through the playoffs, incredible pressure as the most visible athlete in the world and maintained composure through it all. To me it isn't even close.
Not only did LeBron win the accolades, but dealt with players hitting him through the playoffs, incredible pressure as the most visible athlete in the world and maintained composure through it all. To me it isn't even close.
# 4
willithome @ Dec 6
I just have a problem with putting him with the elite. I guess when you have to be put with 2 other superstars to win a championship instead of being patient and building a legacy with the team that drafted you and not being honest with that organization then I feel you loose that legacy and that choice to be called an elite.
# 6
Gramps91 @ Dec 6
I don't like the guy, but he deserves it. He had a great MVP season and a great playoff performance.
# 7
Jadakiss88 @ Dec 6
@willithome
You have a problem putting him with the elite yet he is the toughest player to guard in the NBA, just won his third MVP award, his 1st NBA Title, and a Gold Medal in the Olympics.
I mean I understand what you are saying but watch how Kyrie's career plays out. Guarentee he won't finish he career or win a title with the Cav's. No matter how great LBJ played for the Cavs he couldn't beat anyone with that roster.
But I am pretty sure you are ready to put KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce in the elite status?
You have a problem putting him with the elite yet he is the toughest player to guard in the NBA, just won his third MVP award, his 1st NBA Title, and a Gold Medal in the Olympics.
I mean I understand what you are saying but watch how Kyrie's career plays out. Guarentee he won't finish he career or win a title with the Cav's. No matter how great LBJ played for the Cavs he couldn't beat anyone with that roster.
But I am pretty sure you are ready to put KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce in the elite status?
# 8
Bolt957 @ Dec 6
There's plenty of ringless NBA players from the past that are elite players & before LBJ won one, he was already elite. As far as Sportsman of the Year, James earned it.
# 9
tarek @ Dec 6
Lebron James is not so much elite as he is an elitist.
Whether he wins this award or that, what has become increasingly obvious is that Lebron James cares only about Lebron James.
Lebron James left Cleveland in the manner in which he left in order to maximise exposure and financial incentive. He cared little for Cleveland, he cared little for Miami, he cared only for what Lebron James got out of it. And although things didn't go according to plan (with the backlash and all) he was simply able to distance himself due to his elitist view, which is "I did the right thing for my family, and if you don't like it, you're a *****."
That is a typical elitist comment, regardless of the person or situation.
Another thing I hear is his continued and great contribution to charitable work and especially in his hometown of Akron. Now what does Lebron James get out of this.
Well, for one, donations and charitable work is all tax deductable. In addition, make no mistake that James receives financial compensation to attend charitable events (or at the very least doesn't pay at all). Here's how most of these charity events work: They need 'keynote' people, and so they beg and plead to secure them to the event. This in turn raises the profile of the event so that corporations (they can write this expense off as a tax deduction too!) buy a table or bunch of tickets and then host their clients ('hey, i'll impress you because i'm taking you to an event where you could meet Lebron James! And it's all for charity!'). So charity "work", yeah sure.
But wait, he helps his hometown too. And we don't see alot of that, it's all under wraps, private, true goodness. But Lebron also owns property in Akron. And possibly business interests. So again, he can reap tax benefits of pumping money into Akron, whilst making sure it maintains or raises the value of his investments.
Lebron James is an amazing basketball player. He certainly had an amazing 2012. But all that is in play right now is whether you buy SI and whether this exposure leads to further business opportunities for whoever was involved.
It's not about basketball, it's about business.
Whether he wins this award or that, what has become increasingly obvious is that Lebron James cares only about Lebron James.
Lebron James left Cleveland in the manner in which he left in order to maximise exposure and financial incentive. He cared little for Cleveland, he cared little for Miami, he cared only for what Lebron James got out of it. And although things didn't go according to plan (with the backlash and all) he was simply able to distance himself due to his elitist view, which is "I did the right thing for my family, and if you don't like it, you're a *****."
That is a typical elitist comment, regardless of the person or situation.
Another thing I hear is his continued and great contribution to charitable work and especially in his hometown of Akron. Now what does Lebron James get out of this.
Well, for one, donations and charitable work is all tax deductable. In addition, make no mistake that James receives financial compensation to attend charitable events (or at the very least doesn't pay at all). Here's how most of these charity events work: They need 'keynote' people, and so they beg and plead to secure them to the event. This in turn raises the profile of the event so that corporations (they can write this expense off as a tax deduction too!) buy a table or bunch of tickets and then host their clients ('hey, i'll impress you because i'm taking you to an event where you could meet Lebron James! And it's all for charity!'). So charity "work", yeah sure.
But wait, he helps his hometown too. And we don't see alot of that, it's all under wraps, private, true goodness. But Lebron also owns property in Akron. And possibly business interests. So again, he can reap tax benefits of pumping money into Akron, whilst making sure it maintains or raises the value of his investments.
Lebron James is an amazing basketball player. He certainly had an amazing 2012. But all that is in play right now is whether you buy SI and whether this exposure leads to further business opportunities for whoever was involved.
It's not about basketball, it's about business.
# 10
Zenrer @ Dec 7
@tarek
I don't think anyone could ever be so wrong. He left Cleveland because they surrounded him with NBA rejects and past-prime players and expected him to carry them to a championship, not because he cared little for them. He had every right to leave, the Cavs were hindering his 'legacy' that you speak of. The Big O said it well, you know, what is a legacy, you're either a good player or you're not, and I wholeheartedly agree with him, nobody is making any of this 'legacy' crap in Cleveland any time soon....
I don't think anyone could ever be so wrong. He left Cleveland because they surrounded him with NBA rejects and past-prime players and expected him to carry them to a championship, not because he cared little for them. He had every right to leave, the Cavs were hindering his 'legacy' that you speak of. The Big O said it well, you know, what is a legacy, you're either a good player or you're not, and I wholeheartedly agree with him, nobody is making any of this 'legacy' crap in Cleveland any time soon....
# 12
willithome @ Dec 7
I knew I was gonna get hit with some sarcasm and some backlash but I just think the guy has no class. I am a Cleveland Cavs fan but I think what he did was unforgivable and unforgetable. He set back a team 10 years if not longer! Never gave them any idea what he was gonna do! I just can't look at him and see anything but a complete a**! I know he is a great player but I just can't call him an elite cause he chose his championship team he didn't build one! It's my opinion and I don't think any of you are wrong for thinking he is a elite player I just can't put him in that status.
# 13
Bulls321974 @ Dec 7
He's the most athletic basketball player of all time, but not the best and he will never become the best player ever. Why do so many people dislike him although he's one of the best players ever? Because of his attitude. He's a gigantic loudmouth!
# 15
Bulls321974 @ Dec 7
@tarek quote: "Whether he wins this award or that, what has become increasingly obvious is that Lebron James cares only about Lebron James." You've hit the nail on the head!
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