LeBron James is a heel. All the new Space Jam film does is confirm something most of us already knew. The movie itself is terrible because it tries to pigeonhole James as a good guy when he’s most definitely not. His lines are forced, and his performance is lifeless. There was a reason Tim Curry was never cast as a hero.
The evil hotel concierge in Home Alone 2 just had a face and demeanor you knew was bad. Similarly, James has certain characteristics and mannerisms that make him unlikeable. However, he’s trying to be good in Space Jam. From his delivery to facial expression, the performance comes across as unbelievable.
That’s because LeBron James is a natural heel. Even when he is droning on about good and trying to save the world, you’re waiting for him to bust out a “Psych” and reveal that he is actually a bad guy. It Is what you want. James is at his best when he’s the villain.
Related: Great basketball shooting performances that didn’t count
LeBron James is a heel
Day 1
From the moment they started showing LeBron’s high school games on ESPN, he had people who hated him. The ‘King’ nickname, the Hummer and the patches covering the tattoos all fueled public disdain for the guy. He tried to downplay it during the first run in Cleveland, but he was a heel from the moment he stepped on the court for many basketball fans.
Peak heel LeBron
When LeBron James joined the Miami Heat and finally went black hat, it was awesome. It was arguably the most enjoyable time to watch him play. His game and attitude seemed so much more natural. This was the NBA equivalent to Hulk Hogan ditching the red and yellow schtick and joining the NWO. It was great.
Fake positivity
And then LeBron started talking about how he couldn’t play basketball from a place of hate and that he didn’t want to be a villain. This may have been true, but the way LeBron verbalized the message was so pretentious and overbearing that it somehow made people dislike him even more.
Going Hollywood
This felt cheap. James signing with the Los Angeles Lakers was just like when a wrestler insults the hometown sports teams. Sure, it solidified Lebron’s status as a full-blown heel, but it was kind of a lazy way to do it.
Space Jam
Space Jam did nothing to change anyone’s impression of LeBron James being a heel. Now, he probably hoped that it would. But his stiff, unnatural acting simply cemented the fact that this dude will never be loved by the public. At least during his playing days.
The Lebron James heel legacy
At the end of the day, LeBron James is a heel. He was one from the moment he entered the NBA. All the new Space Jam movie did was stoke the flames of hatred people have about him. Maybe if he was a better actor, we wouldn’t think this way. Michael Jordan was a dick, but he could also turn on the charm.
LeBron has no charm. He doesn’t seem like a good guy or a hero. Everything he does feels villainous. There is nothing wrong with that. If anything, it’s damn cool. Well, it would be if he embraced it. Instead, James pretends like he’s the hero despite the fact no one wants or needs him in that role.
More Basketball: Looking back at three major roster decisions that defined the Golden State Warriors dynasty
