From Deseret News archives:
He's not MJ, but LeBron is King James
And a disproportionate number of hometown fans wearing the visiting team's uniform.
That's life when royalty pays a visit.
Thus, when Cleveland's LeBron James was introduced at EnergySolutions Arena, he received an ovation not quite fit for a king, but it was still on the friendly side. There was a smattering of boos but a similar rally of cheers. They had come to see if he was really as good as he looks on TV, many of them wearing rust-and-white jerseys with James' trademark No. 23 same as Jordan.
Remember the old advertising campaign that said "Be Like Mike"? A James-related Web site asks a similar question: "Are you like LeBron?"
You wish.
As for James, he's way too sophisticated to admit to wanting to be exactly like Mike. Even so, it's hard to miss the similarities. He didn't score 51 points against the Jazz, Wednesday, as he did nearly two years ago, but he still registered a triple-double: 32 points, 13
assists, 15 rebounds in the Jazz's 103-101 victory. Just like the Jordan days, the Jazz still had to worry about him all game.
There's another thing about James: He's still six championships shy of Jordan, but he's just 22, too young to rent a car in some places.
Yet he's old enough to shoulder the burden of being the next MJ, in many ways. And he gets treated a lot like Jordan. Even by the officials.
If a lot of Jazz fans tend to become a bit enamored by a guy whose goal is to send them home dejected, that's life. James gets his due in all arenas. But nowhere on the road is James more revered than Salt Lake. When he hung 51 points on the Jazz in January 2006, he received a standing ovation after leading the Cavs to a 108-90 win in Salt Lake.
It was like a Marine thanking a drill sergeant for his abuse. Thank you Sir, may I have another!
"That's not common," said James, Wednesday, when asked about the standing ovation two years ago. "Especially in a building like this. I think they respected how I play the game of basketball. I respect that. This has been one of the best crowds I get on the road."
Recent comments
the closest thing to jordan right now is kobe bryant he is almost as...
Ramon | May 1, 2008 at 9:49 a.m.
Lebron James is not Michael Jordan and he can never be as good as him...
Scott R. | Nov. 15, 2007 at 6:58 p.m.
LeBron is overrated. If we would've given the ball to Quincy Lewis...
Blake | Nov. 8, 2007 at 4:32 p.m.
- Vonn skis out in slalom 12:40 p.m.
- Boyle's album tops Britain's charts 12:35 p.m.
- Woods says accident 'my fault' 12:28 p.m.
- Preventing small plane crashes 12:13 p.m.
- Giving heart to women who exercise 11:55 a.m.
- 4 police officers shot dead in Wash. 11:50 a.m.
- Leno losing his audience to DVR 11:43 a.m.
- Northeast scallopers decry cuts 11:29 a.m.
- $ needed to ease U.N. climate deal 11:17 a.m.
- Sen.: Troop hike must help forces 11:12 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Man dies in dirt bike crash
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
440 - Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
413 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
116 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - BYU is champion of the state
94 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
89 - Hall's legacy measured today
76 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73
As a BYU student, and one who takes all those dang calls and mail about...
Hahahahahahahahah!
its just laughable seeing how bitter maxie is about last year with his 15...
Good for you...Tiger...keep it PRIVATE. It's nobody's business.
And you wonder why we like Tim Tebow so much. We also win championships and...
Seriously, if the table's were turned and the Utes won and the QB said that...
Mike Weir is a terrific man. Even though he is not LDS, he represents BYU...
Right on | 12:00 p.m. Nov. 29, 2009 If ANY Ute player or fan had his family...
Max Hall's actions and the true vitriol that seems to exist between students...
... deserves to have him be their QB. And guess what, those of you who...

