Let me state right off the bat that I have great respect for Stephen A. Smith, an accomplished sports columnist and commentator. But I do take issue with recent statements that he made during a debate with Skip Bayless on ESPN’s First Take today. An ESPN editor was fired and an ESPN anchor was suspended due to language used to describe the “down to earth” performance of New York Knicks sensation, Jeremy Lin, against the Hornets last Friday night. Moderated by Jay Crawford, the debate between the two outspoken sports pundits was about instances of insensitivity within the media coverage of Jeremy Lin, who is Asian American.

Instead of taking on the topic of the media and its coverage of Jeremy Lin, Smith chose to use the debate as an opportunity to criticize the ultra-sensitivity of black folks. The gist of his argument is that the black community’s ultra-sensitivity has created an environment in our society that has led to lost jobs and ruined careers in the media and now other “groups” (such as Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Gay & Lesbian Americans) are basically following in our footsteps in terms of their outrage over racial statements in the media (by the way, I’m African-American).

Now, I disagree with Stephen A.’s arguments on many points, in fact, I find much of what he said quite insulting to African-Americans. But what I found most troubling about his statements, is that they could easily be seen as insulting to Asian-Americans. Why? Because the original topic of the debate he and Bayless were having this morning on ESPN’s First Take was not about African-Americans, it was about the insensitivities in the media about Jeremy Lin, who, the last time I checked is an Asian-American!

The fact that Stephen A. Smith would take a debate about the coverage of Lin (an Asian-American) in the media and turn it into an indictment of black people’s “feelings”, really demonstrates how many of us (African-Americans) always want to make discussions about race and civil rights about us. When we do this, as Smith did this morning on ESPN, it’s as if we’re being dismissive of how others feel about issues that impact them as much as it impacts us. Other minority communities such as Asian-Americans have their own voices and can (and should more often, I might add) express their own thoughts about issues of race, especially in the instances when those issues directly involve them!

I understand why we as African-Americans are often front-and-center in regards to the issue of race. Our history in this country makes us (justifiable so) very loud and strong voices because, arguably, we have suffered the most when it comes to racism in America than any other group. But (and this is a ‘BIG’ “but”) our country has gone through a dramatic change demographically. We’re not the “only show in town” sort of speak, when it comes to racism. Hispanics are the largest minority community in the country. Asian-American are one of the fastest growing communities in this country. To make every debate concerning race about African-Americans is condescending to others and frankly, arrogant.

Though I’ve been critical of Stephen A. Smith in this piece, he is actually one of my favorite commentators because he’s one of very few blacks in the media that keeps it real. He tells you what he thinks and you can’t help but respect that. I tend to agree with Smith on a lot of issues. But not this time. To be clear: I don’t disagree with everything he said during his debate with Skip Bayless but I believe that Smith made the wrong argument at the wrong time this morning on ESPN’s First Take.

While Stehen A. thought he was making such a passionate and profound statement that would enlighten and serve as a dose of “tough love” to the African-American community, it’s more likely that his argument was tuned out by those in the Asian-American community who were turned off by his audacity to use a much needed debate about Jeremy Lin and the media as just another opportunity to single out the thoughts, feelings and actions of black folks.

I know that the Book of Hov is supposed to be about the lyrics of Jay-Z, but I have something that I want to get off my chest. In a way this piece is an indirect connection to Jay-Z and Hip-Hop. I want to talk about the controversy that surrounds boxing superstar, Floyd Mayweather. Floyd is a lightning rod, one of the most polarizing figures in professional sports. He is without a doubt, one of the greatest boxers of our generation. Undefeated at 42-0, Mayweather has dominated the boxing game yet he doesn’t get the respect that I think he deserves. He recently made some ‘controversial’ statements on Twitter about Jeremy Lin, the Asian-American breakout point guard with the New York Knicks. Reactions to Floyd’s statements on Twitter have been harsh. I believe that there are many factors that contribute to the ‘hate’ Mayweather receives. But the two major factors are: race and generation.

In response to the hype surrounding Knicks point guard, Jeremy Lin, Mayweather tweeted:

Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise.

While this is a rather blanket statement, I think Mayweather makes a valid point. Lin’s ethnicity is certainly not the only reason why there’s so much hype behind his performance, but it has definitely played a major role in the media hype and fan excitement. It’s not a negative assertion; it’s simply an honest assessment. I agree with Mayweather, Lin is a good player. He has taken advantage of his opportunity and he’s balling. It’s a great story. Sure Lin has performed well. That’s a given or there wouldn’t be media hype at all. But anyone who fails to acknowledge that Lin’s race is playing a large role in all of the hype is either incredibly naïve or in severe denial.

If a black hockey player, came out of nowhere, and performed the way Lin has done in that sport-in New York City, and a white pro boxer stated that the media coverage is largely because the hockey player is black, I would completely agree with him.

Anyone who has paid attention to the media coverage of sports and every other aspect of life knows that race almost always plays a role. The issue of race is one of the most compelling elements of any story. The media and society as a whole are absolutely obsessed with race. There are several aspects of the ‘Lin-sanity’ story that is compelling. The guy has a unique background. He’s a little-known Asian-American player who went to Harvard and has become the most exciting player in the NBA this season. Lin is an underdog that is now a hero in New York City, the basketball Mecca of the world.

As I stated, it’s truly an amazing story. But what’s intellectually lazy is not Floyd’s statement, but the dismissive reaction to it. I hope Jeremy Lin continues to do his thing, helping to make the Knicks relevant again because that’s good for New York, the NBA, sports, Asian Americans and pop culture. But to think that race is not the leading, driving force behind the hype is just delusional.

Here’s what else Mayweather tweeted:

I’m speaking my mind on behalf of other NBA players. They are programmed to be politically correct and will be penalized if they speak up.

Well, I don’t think NBA players need Mayweather to act as a spokesman and I wouldn’t say that NBA ballers are “programmed to be politically correct” (otherwise some of them wouldn’t routinely make statements that are not politically correct) but I do believe that too many black pro athletes are either too reluctant, too ill-informed, too ignorant, too afraid or just too arrogant to “speak up” about issues of race in sports and other areas of life. They don’t want to get “penalized” and often don’t seem to care enough as long as the big paychecks keep coming.

Mayweather is not afraid to “speak up”. Whether you agree with his perspectives is based on your own opinions, experiences and prejudices (we all have them). I don’t agree with everything Mayweather says but I respect his courage to say what’s on his mind, particularly when it comes to issues of race and America because I understand where he’s coming from.

The following tweet by Mayweather really gets to the heart of the issue of race and sports in America:

Other countries get to support/cheer their athletes and everything is fine. As soon as I support Black American athletes, I get criticized.

I think this statement indirectly addresses a personal (and I believe justified) ‘beef’ that Mayweather has with the media and sports fans in America. This personal beef is indicative of how the media and society view the black pro athlete and black males in general. The above tweet is not about Jeremy Lin. It’s much bigger than that kid. It’s about Manny Pacquiao.

Ever since the explosive growth in popularity and performance from Manny Pacquiao, it seems that the whole world is desperately waiting for a superfight between him and Mayweather. The fight, if it ever happens, will easily be the biggest fight of our generation. The fight hasn’t happened (in fact, both boxers are slated to fight Cotto and Bradley in May and June, respectively) and if you ask both camps, the other fighter is solely to blame.

The back and forth is common in the boxing game and people will choose sides. Is Mayweather just scared to fight Pacquiao? Is Pacquiao trying to avoid Mayweather’s requests for blood testing? What about the roles that legendary promoter Bob Arum or Golden Boy Promotions is playing in all of this?

Here is what I believe has angered Mayweather: The American sports media clearly seems to be rooting for Pacquiao if and when the fight takes places. The general consensus is that Pac-man will destroy Floyd but this stance by many fans and those in the media seem to be driven more by wishful thinking than objectivity.

I think Floyd is astonished by the amount of hate he receives when it comes to his on-going drama with Pacquiao. Mayweather was born and breed in the U.S., an outstanding fighter who is a master in the ring. His skills are impeccable. His career has been illustrious. He has style and charisma. He’s smart (in and outside of the ring) and funny. He’s the cream of the crop in terms of prize fighters and yet it seems that the vast majority of American boxing fans and American media persons want to see him lose badly, to Pacquiao, a less charismatic and less skilled foreign fighter from the Philippines.

Why is that?

For the record, I love Pacquiao. I think he’s a great fighter. I would love to see him and Mayweather square off. It wouldn’t surprise me if Pacquiao won and I wouldn’t be suicidal or anything if it happened…but I’m riding with Floyd, every day, all day. And why shouldn’t I? I can guarantee you there’s not a Filipino man, woman or child in the country of Philippines that’s rooting for Mayweather if the fight was to happen.

I think it’s downright offensive and pathetic that so many American sports fans seem to be clamoring for Mayweather to get knocked out by an exciting, likable but foreign fighter. Sports have historically been an outlet to demonstrate pride and patriotism. The fact that an American sporting audience would blatantly root against an American born and bred fighter is mind-boggling to me. Filipinos in the Philippines rooting against Pacquiao would be banned from their country!

(To be fair, I can understand ethnic pride on the part of Filipino-Americans and other Asian Americans, but the truth is Mayweather probably has more in common with many of them than Pacquiao does).

Now, I know what some of you may be thinking: “Duane, you’re trying to make this a black vs. white thing”. Well, that’s far from the truth. In fact, I’m totally astounded by the hate and lack of respect for Mayweather by some black boxing fans and black members of the media. Example: Michael Wilbon, who I actually have a lot of respect for, has publicly called Mayweather a coward several times for not fighting Pacquiao. Huh?? What?? How can a man in his 50’s that has never in his life stepped in the ring, call a younger, stronger and faster man-that I would bet any amount of money could beat his ass with one hand-a coward? It seems to me that an old school cat that likes to talk so much about how he’s from the “Southside of Chicago” would be much more street smart than that.

See, I think the lack of country support for Mayweather speaks to a deeper-rooted issue in America: There’s a deep resentment of young black males in America and this is in full display with the young black pro male athlete. Sports is a microcosm of society, and young black pro males athletes represent all of us in the eyes of the media and face the scrutiny and character assassination that we all face every day- times 100.

The resentment of the young black male is not absolute or exclusive to a certain group. In other words, I’m not saying, for example, that all whites or only whites hold resentment for young black males. Quite the contrary, in fact, there appears to be a significant portion of older blacks that resent our generation. It’s more than just a generational gap- it’s a generational war! The plight of the young black pro male athlete in terms of favorability in America, is only complicated by the refusal of older black fans, media persons and former athletes to defend him, instead, they choose to stay silent or even far too willing to join in the fray of throwing stones at him!

The media hype and fan excitement behind young, professional, non-black athletes like Jeremy Lin or Tim Tebow are partly substantiated by their performances and partly driven by people’s insatiable desires to put on a pedestal someone that “looks like them”…along with their resentment of young black professional athletes.

“Anyone but another black guy”.

I’m only 35 years old, but I can faintly remember (and have constantly been told of) a time when black people supported, defended, celebrated, uplifted and compassionately criticized each other. We celebrated the smartest, toughest, strongest, funniest and most talented among us. And we carried the weakest among us and pushed them until they got stronger. Now generations in our community are so harshly divided based on such trivial things such as the choice of music, clothes, language, location, class, etc., that we no longer feel connected to each other from a cultural sense. We don’t root for each other. We hate and pray for each other’s downfall.

I can understand the resentment of the young, black male athletes like Floyd Mayweather by the ‘larger’ society. I don’t condone it, obviously, but I understand it, because it’s consistent with the ‘larger’ society’s M.O., sort to speak. But I will never understand or accept how older black sportswriters, former players turned analyst, doctors, lawyers and janitors can routinely throw young black male athletes under the bus on television, on radio, in print, online in discussion boards, in barbershops and on street corners.

More black men (under the age of 40 and from a variety of backgrounds) need to stand up, step up, speak up and speak out in defense and support of themselves and each other. The way I’m doing for Floyd Mayweather. Because it’s clear that not too many others will.

Mayweather’s recent tweets and many of the statements he has made in the past reflect a sentiment shared by many pro athletes and “regular” young black males alike. There’s a phrase popularized back in the day in Hip-Hop culture: “Keep it real”. It’s been overused and misapplied, but it’s still one of my favorite sayings. Truth can be subjective but honesty is authentic. When one keeps it real, he’s brutally honest about how he feels and isn’t afraid to speak his mind even if he gets hated on. Few black pro athletes truly keep it real for themselves, each other and all of us. Floyd Mayweather does.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, I’m sure you witnessed or at least heard about LeBron James’s collapse in the NBA finals. He, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and the rest of the Miami Heat failed to live up to the hype losing to the Dallas Mavericks in NBA finals. Dirk Nowitzki and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks had a great series. Congrats to Dallas. The post coverage of the finals over the last several days has largely been about the poor physical performance and mental state of LeBron James. Fans, critics, haters and casual observers all have something to say about “the King” and most of what I’ve heard and read has been negative. I can honestly say that I was rooting for the Miami Heat in their series against Dallas, but in particular, LeBron James, because I feel like all of the hate he’s received since “the decision” to leave Cleveland for South Beach has been serious overkill. With that said, clearly, James didn’t play well in NBA finals and there’s really no excuse for it.

LeBron James failed.

I wrote my book, I Will Not Lose! The blueprint for greatness when good is not enough (inspired by the song lyrics of Jay-Z) because I felt the rapper’s words about struggle, success and hustle can have a life-changing impact on people’s lives-when put in the proper context. In promoting the book I set out to reach 5 distinctive groups of readers: entrepreneurs, students, professionals, street hustlers…and athletes.

One of the most celebrated and criticized professional athletes in this era, LeBron James, just happens to be a close friend of Jay-Z.

A couple of days ago I heard Skip Bayless, a former sports columnist who now debates sports topics on ESPN’s First Take (and is one of LeBron’s harshest critics) say that he thinks LeBron needs to seek out a top sports psychiatrist to help him get through his lack of mental toughness which has impacted his ability to perform on the biggest stage in the biggest moments. After hearing this, I first thought, “that’s actually not a bad idea”, but then it hit me: “LeBron doesn’t need to lay on the couch and talk to a shrink who specializes in sports-all he needs to do is pull out his iPod and listen to the lyrics coming from the “mouthpiece of hustlers”- his big home, Jay-Z!

Jay-Z’s most insightful song lyrics can give LeBron James the blueprint for overcoming his struggles, meeting or even exceeding his personal (and the world’s) expectations and undoubtedly solidifying his place as one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball.

Don’t think so?

Here are just 25 song lyrics by Jay-Z, if studied and applied by LeBron James, could be a game changer for the young baller’s career:

Responding to the haters

Drake, here’s how they gon’ come at you
With silly rap feuds, trying to distract you

“Light It Up”

Jay-Z was talking to one of rap’s newest stars, Drake, in this lyric, but his advice applies to what LeBron is going through.

To LeBron: Don’t allow your critics to distract you from your ultimate goal, which is to win. It doesn’t really matter what the media or the haters say. You didn’t get it done-you know that. It’s up to you to make it happen. Don’t let the words or actions of others keep you from maintaining or renewing your focus.

“I see”, I said, “Jealousy”, I said
“Got the whole industry mad at me”, I said
Then B.I. said, “Hov remind yourself
Nobody built like you, you designed yourself”
“I agree”, I said, “My one of kind self
Get stoned every day like Je-sus did”
What he said, I said, has been said before
“Just keep doing your thang” he said
Say no more..

“A Dream”

In this lyric, Jay-Z is having a conversation with his friend, the late Notorious B.I.G. in a dream. Biggie tells Jay to embrace who he is and to keep doing his thing in spite of all the hate. I don’t know if the song lyrics recount an actual dream Jay-Z had during his rise to the top of the rap game after Biggie and Tupac passed, but the lyrical conversation can serve as good advice for LeBron.

To LeBron: Nobody’s built like you. You have to embrace (with confidence) who you are as a basketball player BUT be willing to improve and add much needed elements to your game. The “whole industry” appears to be “mad” at you because of “the decision”, your swagger throughout the regular season and the fact that you fell short in the NBA finals. Your struggles don’t validate their criticize-with-an-agenda act. Just keep doing your thing.

And as for the critics, tell me I don’t get it
Everybody could tell you how to do it
They never did it

“Already Home”

To LeBron: 99% of your critics have never won a championship of ANY kind with most of them never playing the game you play on a professional level. They have no credibility. Period. The media and the boisterous community of haters are full of people who have not won anything…NOTHING. What good does it do anyone who wants to be a winner to listen to losers? If you want to be a winner, listen to top performers in your game (and in other industries) who have actually WON. For example, as much as I respect Charles Barkley, if I were you, I would respect Magic Johnson’s criticism a whole lot more because he has 5 rings…and Chuck? 0.

All I need is the love of my crew
The whole industry can hate me
I’ll thug my way through

“All I Need”

To LeBron: There has been much criticism toward Maverick Carter and others apart of your team. Have you and your team made mistakes? Of course. Could you and your team have handled leaving Cleveland to sign with Miami better? Hell yeah! But guess what? It’s done and over with now! You and your team have to move on as does the city of Cleveland, the state of Ohio, and the rest of your critics. Let the haters, hate, LeBron. As long as you have the love and support of your crew, you can get through this period of adversity and accomplish your goal.

To the LeBron’s team: Don’t just stand up for LeBron. Stand up to LeBron. Don’t tell him what he wants to hear but what he MUST hear if he’s ever going to truly reach his full potential as a basketball player, businessperson and a man. Hold him accountable- and yourselves!

To the media: LeBron’s team are not just his “boys”, they’re professionals who happen to be his friends. I’m always appalled by the idea that friends “from the ‘hood’” are incapable of taking care of business. LeBron’s team helped him get this far in his career and they can help him get over the hump. Stop trying to diminish the competency of LeBron’s team.

Seeking support and guidance

Came from the dirt
Emerged from it all without a stain on my shirt
You can blame my old earth
For the shit she instilled in me
Still with me
Pain + work
Sh*t, she made me milk this game for all it’s worth

“Guess Who’s Back”

In this lyric Jay-Z tells the listener that though he came from a condition of struggle, he was able to “emerge” determined and unstained largely because of values that his mother instilled in him. There’s no other person in your life like your mama.

To LeBron: I can’t speak on your relationship with your moms, but I’m sure she taught you well and helped give you the confidence to “milk the game” for all it’s worth. Your team’s loss and your disappointing performance in the NBA finals is a defining moment in your career. You can turn that negative into a positive. The journey to success takes pain + work…but it’ll be worth it.

I see his hunger pains
I know his blood boils
He wanna-run with me, I know this kid’ll be loyal
I watch him make a few ends to cop his little sneakers and gear
Then it’s just enough for re-up again
I see myself in his eyes…

“Coming of Age”

To LeBron: Do you have an older, wiser and more experienced person in your circle who has gone through what you’re going through and can give you guidance in both times of struggle and success? You seem like a pretty smart guy but you’re young and with youth come ambition mixed with carelessness. Seek out guidance and direction from those who have been where you are and can help you maximize your strengths and improve upon your weaknesses.

Rumble, young man, rumble
Life is a trip so sometimes we gon’ stumble
You gotta go through pain in order to become you
But once the world numbs you, you’ll feel like it’s only one you
Man, you got the power to do anything you want to…

“Power” (Remix)

To LeBron: In your quest for a championship, you have and may continue to stumble. Still, rumble, young man, rumble. As it has become obvious to you by now, you’re going to have to go through pain before you can become the kind of ball player and champion that you want to be. After awhile, all of the criticism you face will numb you. Indeed, you do have the power to do anything you want to and that includes leading your team to a NBA championship.

Facing and Overcoming Failure

When the, streets is watching
Blocks keep clocking
Waiting for you to break
Make your first mistake
Can’t ignore it

“Street is Watching”

To LeBron: Every one of your critics is waiting for you to make a mistake on and off the court. You simply can’t ignore the critics. You have to face the criticism head on and get on top of your game. In the future, get your mind right and your game tight and keep the haters waiting and waiting and waiting for your downfall.

And a drought could define a man when the well dries up
You learn to work the water
Without work, you thirst ‘til you die

“December 4th”

To LeBron: It’s not your success but your struggles that truly defines who you are. What your legacy will end up being is ultimately based on how you handle and overcome adversity.

This is the number one rule for your set
In order to survive gotta learn to live with regrets
On the, rise to the top, many drop, don’t forget
In order to survive gotta learn to live with regrets

“Regrets”

To LeBron: You didn’t win in Cleveland. You and your Miami Heat didn’t win the NBA finals this post season. I know it hurts and you’ve been feeling the burden and getting criticism, but you have to come to grips with your present situation and move on confidently in the future. You have no choice but to live with regrets when it comes to everything from “the decision” to your performance during the NBA Finals. Don’t become overwhelmed by your regrets- own them, so that you can survive physically and mentally to play another day.

The chain remains, the game is intact
The name is mine, I’ll take blame for that
The pressure’s on but guess who ain’t gon’ crack”
Ha ha, pardon me, I had to laugh at that…
…This ain’t no tall order, this is nothing to me
Difficult takes a day
Impossible takes a week

“Diamonds from Sierra Leone” (Remix)

To LeBron (and the rest of the Miami Heat): Stay strong and most importantly- stay united. You’ve faced pressure and tons of criticism from the moment you got together. But through it all unity is your most powerful weapon moving forward. The pressure will only intensify at this point but you cannot crack! Of course you all will have to work hard to even get back to the finals, but winning it all can happen as long as you stay focused and on the same page.

I looked ‘Death’ in the face years back
I held tears back
I gathered myself and stared back
I’m from where you don’t crack
The weak don’t live
You gotta bounce back
Homie, the streets don’t give

“NYMP”

To LeBron: I don’t know every intimate detail of your personal life, but I’m willing to bet that you’ve dealt with adversity far greater than what you’re facing now. Your struggles on the basketball court in the NBA finals don’t compare to the issues you likely faced before you became “King James”. There’s nothing wrong with tears but don’t drown in them. Sometimes you have to hold back in order to move forward. The weak don’t win championships-only the strong will survive. You have to bounce back from what happened in the finals because you have no choice. The streets and the media won’t let up. It is what it is. Stare back, unflinching, into the eyes of adversity. Take on the challenge.

Was thought to be a pleasant guy all my f*ckin life
So now I’m down for whatever
Ain’t nothin’ nice!

“D’Evils”

To LeBron: Since your days in high school, you have been “Mr. Nice Guy”. Now, without choice, you’ve become the villain. So be it. It’s time to embrace that role and develop a killer instinct that’ll take you to that next level.

Who in the f’ knows how to be successful?
Need a “Personal Jesus”, I’m in Dépêche Mode
They say it’s celestial; it’s all in the stars
Like Tony LaRussa on how you play your ‘Cards’

“American Dreamin”

To LeBron: There’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint to accomplishing a goal. But even if you have a strong team on your side along with wise and experienced mentors in your life, you need to have that inner-strength deep inside you that’ll guide you in the right direction. You should lean on the power of your faith to get you through your troubles.

I paid my dues
I made the news
I came in the door for dolo, blazed the crews
And the streets say, “Jigga can’t go back home”
You know when I heard that?
When I was back home…

“Streets is Talking”

To LeBron: You gave Cleveland 7 strong years. You gave the Cavaliers franchise new life and gave the city of Cleveland as well as the entire state of Ohio a reason to be proud of hometown pro sports franchise. When you left, regardless of how you did it, they treated you like a bum! You paid your dues in Cleveland. You made the news in Cleveland. You don’t owe that city or that state anything.

If you truly don’t want to go back to spend time with your family and friends, that’s your choice but don’t let ANYONE keep you from doing what you want to do and going wherever you want to go. If they say you can’t come back home…go back home! Do it just on the strength of showing the haters that their hate can’t stop your grind and shine.

Maintaining
Putting myself in a position most of these rappers ain’t in
I’m living, the ill streets blues got you hunger paining
Nothing to gain and a whole lot to lose, you still singing.
Fool!

“Feelin It”

To LeBron: You can direct these words toward your enemies on the court and the ones in the streets (the haters and the fans). You left Cleveland because you wanted to win and didn’t feel like you ever would there. You, Wade and Bosh came together because you all wanted to put yourselves in a position to win it all. You’ve done that.
Now you have to go out there and win!

To the critics: You don’t succeed because someone else fails. Essentially praying for the next man’s (or woman’s) downfall won’t somehow erase unhappiness you have in your own life. Having so much emotionally invested in the next man’s (or woman’s) performance only reveals the void in your life.

Renewed confidence and swagger

I’m tight grill when my situation ain’t improving
I’m trying to murder everything moving
Feel me!

“Hard Knock Life”

To LeBron: As I stated earlier, it’s time to put the nice guy role to the back burner. Regardless of what you say, you won’t please everybody anyway. If your basketball career is not where you want it to be then you need to become tight grilled and get more focused than you ever have during any other point in your life.

All these little rappers don’t know how prepared for them I am
I’m feeling like the world’s against me Lord
Call me crazy, but strangely, I love the odds

“Oh My God”

To LeBron: You must be more prepared than the player guarding you in the big stage moments in the game. It may feel as if it’s you against the world, accept the challenge. It may seem strange, but your renewed confidence and strong expertise on the basketball court will help you overcome the odds. Embrace those moments when others expect (or hope) you fail.

In the midst of all your misery, n*igga, stay fly
Never let ‘em see you frown
Even smile when you down
Shit, I floss on my off-days
F*ck what they all say

“This Life Forever”

To LeBron: Going through a tough time professionally in your life? Whatever. Stay fly. Don’t give the haters the satisfaction. Shine brightly even during dim periods throughout your career.

I ain’t never scared
I’m everywhere
You ain’t never there
And n*gga, why would I ever care?

“What More Can I Say?”

To LeBron: The haters can hate but while they hate, you should continue to have nothing but love for what you’re trying to accomplish both on and off the court. While many of them sit at home on the couch rooting against you as if their lives depend on you failing, you should just keep doing what you do…and getting even better at it. Put that fear-of-the-moment stuff to rest. You shouldn’t be scared of the big stage. The true fear is from the haters who seem to be literally praying you don’t succeed. Why should you ever care?

I move onward, the only direction
Can’t be scared to fail
Searching perfection

“On to the Next One”

To LeBron: You have to move forward. It’s as simple as that. You can’t be scared to fail because if you do, it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever succeed and win. Don’t settle when it comes to your personal skills or team goals. Never stop working to get better and better and better and better…

Dark Knight feeling: die and be a hero
Or live long enough to see yourself become a villain
I went from the favorite, to the most hated
But would you rather be underpaid or overrated?
Moral victories is for minor league coaches
And ‘Ye already told you ‘We Major’, you cockroaches!

“So Appalled”

To LeBron: These lyrics reflect what Jay-Z has gone through in his musical career but I think it easily applies to your situation. When it came to the game of basketball you used to be a hero in the eyes of many but your “decision” as well as other things have turned you into a villain. You used to be one of the most popular ball players in the league, arguably, the fans’ favorite, but now you’re the most hated. It’s all ridiculous to me, but I will say this: You MUST win!

You’re not playing the game of basketball for moral victories, you’re playing to become a champion. You need to understand why and how you went from hero to villain, but more importantly, your greatest focus should be on doing whatever it takes to win regardless of what the haters say.

You’re now in a game where only time can tell
Survive the droughts I wish you well- hold up
Survive the droughts? I wish you well?
How sick am I? I wish you health
I wish you wheels. I wish you wealth
I wish you insight so you could see for yourself

“American Dreamin”

To LeBron: Insight is the key to your breakthrough. Your team can have a greater impact. Your mentors can have a greater impact. The love of your family and friends can have a greater impact. The song lyrics of Jay-Z can have a greater impact. But the greatest impact must come from you. It’s your insight, pain + work that will make the biggest difference in your professional basketball career. Want to be a champion? Winning starts now.

The game is ours, we’ll never foul out
Yal just better hope we gracefully bow out

“Do It Again”

To LeBron: In the 2010-11 season, you, Wade, Bosh and the rest of the Miami Heat came, saw…but got conquered. But the future of the game belongs to you and your teammates if you all are willing to work hard and hold each other accountable. No one can beat you, only you can beat yourselves.

To the media, haters and opposing NBA teams: If the Heat can get it together and play the kind of basketball that they’re capable of playing with every man on that roster held accountable by the team and himself, all I can say is…

Yal just better hope they gracefully bow out!

Go father
Go further
Is that not why we came?
And if not, then why bother?

“Mr. Carter”

Enough said.

While haters, the media, casual observers and even LeBron James’s fans spend too much of their time psycho-analyzing him, I believe that all he has to do this summer is come to terms with his personal performance on-and-off the court during the last 12 months or so and devote a serious commitment to working on his physical and mental game.

All LeBron James needs is his family, friends, mentors and faith…and a daily healthy dose of music by the big homie, Jay-Z.