Is LeBron James an 'epic failure'?

Much of the nation is indulging in schadenfreude after the Miami Heat superstar failed to deliver the NBA championship he promised

LeBron James
(Image credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Basketball fans are heaping scorn on Miami Heat forward LeBron James, after his team lost Game 6 of the NBA finals Sunday night, and thus the series, to the Dallas Mavericks. James was largely lackluster and disengaged during the many critical fourth quarters in the series, causing critics to question his resolve. James became one of sport's most polarizing players after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 to join fellow all-stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami, then boasting in the pre-season that the Heat would win a string of championships. His team fell short this year — but is it fair to say that James failed? (Watch James' reaction after the loss.)

Absolutely. He didn't deliver what he promised: People are rightfully reveling in LeBron's misfortune, says Paul Banks at ChicagoNow. For anyone but King James, winning 58 games and taking the Eastern Conference title would constitute a great season. "But given all the world-must-revolve-around-me hoopla and preseason braggadocio that led into this season, anything short of winning it all is an epic failure."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us