LeBron James' "Ring Culture" Comments Reek Of Insecurity, Hypocrisy
Lakers star has to inject himself into conversation during championship series
It's mid-June, which means the NBA Finals are in full swing.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have a chance to win their first title since moving out of Seattle on Thursday night against a very impressive Indiana Pacers squad.
Of course, it wouldn't be an NBA Finals without LeBron James needlessly inserting himself into the news cycle.
After another disappointing season in Los Angeles that culminated in a first-round gentlemen's sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, "The King" decided his name wasn't on the tip of everyone's tongues enough for his liking.
James pontificated on his own podcast that the "Ring Culture" that's prevalent in the current discourse of the NBA is taking away from peoples' legacies.
And by people, he definitely means himself.
This is another pretty clear example of LeBron's overwhelming insecurity about having his legacy compared to Michael Jordan.
Michael Jordan is famously 6-0 in the NBA Finals, while LeBron has a losing record to his name.
Why can't LeBron just be happy with his accomplishments instead of trying to constantly combat the narrative of internet trolls?
James is, at worst, the second-best basketball player of all-time according to 98% of NBA fans. Isn't that enough to not throw a hissy fit every time someone brings up his failings in the Finals?
It clearly bothers the Lakers star, and it's something that has always mattered to James, even early in his career.
Why else do you think he infamously jumped ship to go play in Miami in 2010, burning his hometown in the process during a live, hour-long special on ESPN?
Then, as soon as he gets to Miami, he and his running mates Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade put on their cringeworthy stage show, boasting about, you guessed it, how many RINGS they're going to win.
After winning not one, not two… actually, on second thought, two championships, LeBron decided to go back to Cleveland, only to tuck tail four years later for the West Coast.
And speaking of Cleveland, why does LeBron think ring culture is so rotten when he has this to say after winning a lone championship with the Cavaliers?
Like it or not, LeBron James leaving northeast Ohio to form a super team with Wade and Bosh is a big part of why "ring culture" is so pervasive in online circles these days.
Also, LeBron, as someone who spends an unhealthy amount of time on the internet, I can tell you that's all anyone discusses when comparing Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
Nearly everyone this side of Barry McCockiner agrees Brady is the GOAT even though Manning has him beat in yards per game, MVPs, and All-Pro selections.
Why? BECAUSE HE HAS MORE RINGS!
For crying out loud, we just watched Connor McDavid lose back-to-back Stanley Cups and people are already starting to question his legacy at the ripe old age of 28.
This isn't solely an NBA issue, but LeBron is so self-absorbed and insecure he can't see it for himself.
So, enjoy the NBA Finals, ladies and gents, and don't let LeBron James take away from the fun.