Blinded By Hate

In my years as a sports fan, I've learned that hate and loyalty can completely blind people from the facts. We have a hard time accepting defeat, and always try to justify it with an excuse. We are also quick to dismiss someone we don't like as a person as horrible on the court. This is a huge problem. 

It takes a lot for me to get offended. However, when I see on Facebook, or have a conversation with someone and they utter the words "Kobe sucks", "LeBron sucks", or "Floyd sucks", it makes me throw up in my mouth a little. You may not like the individual, but you're frankly being unreal with yourself and others around you if you think any of those three "suck". You my friend are blinded by hate, and this is an intervention. 

I'll be the first to admit, Kobe Bryant absolutely sucks off of the court. He has made more mistakes in his personal life than Bill Hendrickson had wives and kids(word to HBO's Big Love). From snitching on Shaq when he got in trouble in Eagle Colorado, to giving himself a nickname(how corny is that), his off the court career has been horrible. However, on the court, he is brilliant. He has had some of the more epic nights that our generation has seen. I would go into stats, but I'd be here all day, so check his player profile right here http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kobe_bryant/bio.html. Bottom line, he is the closest that we will probably see to Michael Jordan that we will ever see, don't let your hate keep you from seeing that.

In my opinion, LeBron James really hadn't done much to educe the hate he has received. A lot of people felt he had a lot of hype coming out of high school and that caused a large group of haters. Then came "The Decision" where he announced where he was "taking his talents", and that brought all of the haters out in full force. I definitely feel that he has room to improve on the court, but if you don't think he is one of the top 3 players in the world, you are crazy. He has the total package of what you would want in a player. The league has never seen a dude his size be able to do the things he can. The fact that I said he has room to improve should really make the entire league shudder with fear. So, please don't let the fact that he left Cleveland, or was anointed "the chosen one" in high school keep you from seeing how great he is right now. 

I have been a die hard boxing fan for as long as I can remember. I am going to say this, and would defy anyone to disagree. Floyd Mayweather is the best boxer of our generation. Point blank, period. A lot of people see him on HBO's 24/7(he's the only reason that show is great actually), they hear all the trash he talks, and it turns them off. Yet, they always watch, so he's doing something right. One of the biggest complaints I hear is that he doesn't knock people out and his fights are boring. That is absurd to me. The game of boxing is hit and don't get hit. I can't be mad at a dude who is quick and crafty enough to not get hit, yet give you a 4 piece combo after avoiding your shots. If you can do that, why stand in the middle of the ring and trade haymakers? That is just dumb. It is really sad that people have taken the fact that he has embraced being the "bad guy" and let that distort the fact that he is a genius in the ring. 

I guess what I'm trying to say to you all is, don't let your hate distract you from that fact that we are watching some of the best to ever do it in their sport. Kobe, LeBron, and Floyd all have their faults off the court and outside of the ring, but you can't ever come up with a logical reason that they "suck" when they are performing their craft. So please, accept this intervention, and stop sounding stupid to those around you when discussing these guys.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.