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Great Week for Both of Sport's King James

An Opinion



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July 10, 2010

By Brenda Benedict

Brenda Benedict



LeBron James has kept us in suspense and then surprised the entire country by deciding to play for the National Basketball Association in Miami as a member of the Miami Heat for the next five years. Six teams were vying for the privilege of paying James millions of dollars a year. Even President Obama tried to influence James' decision and guide him to the Chicago Bulls.

James made the decision Thursday morning and only notified a handful of his closest family and friends up until the time of the public announcement. This was done on a hour long special on ESPN with much hype. James explained that he got up on Thursday morning and talked it over with his mom before making his final decision.

His decision was made on the basis of which team he would have the best opportunity to win a championship in the shortest amount of time. LeBron has earned the title of King James because of his skill in the sport. He dominated every game, was an MVP and scoring leader but never was able to secure a league championship.

NASCAR has its own King James, Jimmie Johnson. Johnson is the first four consecutive-time champion. I think he has been equally as dominant in NASCAR as LeBron has been in the NBA.

Johnson has had an exciting week of his own. Johnson and his wife, Chandra, were blessed with the birth of their first child-a daughter who arrived Wednesday, July 7, 2010. Even the timing of her birth seemed charmed, coming in the middle of the week which made it possible for Johnson not to have to miss a race even though he had Aric Almirola all set to jump in the car should the stork arrive on a race day.

Jimmie Johnson's dominance in NASCAR has continued this year although he is currently sitting third in the points. He has had five wins this season. Johnson comes to the race this week near Chicago having never won there. He stated this week that although he has been close to winning there before, he is motivated to win in Chad Knaus' home state. Even without a history, Johnson is favored to win this week.

Recently both LeBron James and Jimmie Johnson have been nominated for the 2010 Espy award of Best Male Athlete. ESPN, the sponsor the awards, is recognizing the dominance of both of the King James.

The difference I see in the in these two male athletes is the reception and appreciation of them by the fans of their sport. When LeBron made his announcement on television Thursday night, fans in Miami were openly cheering while fans in Cleveland where James was leaving were openly sad and angry that he was leaving.

On the other hand, Jimmie Johnson doesn't seem appreciated by fans in NASCAR. Many fans seem tired of Johnson's winning ways and are openly happy when he doesn't win.

I truly believe that Johnson wins so often and sometimes so easily because of his natural talent and willingness to work hard. But many fans don't seem to accept that and want his dominance to end. I don't understand why these fans don't look at Jimmie Johnson as a picture of skill and good driving. King James ala Jimmie Johnson, can show us excellence in NASCAR the way King James, LeBron James, shows us excellence in basketball.


You can follow me at Twitter @nascarfaithful




You can contact Brenda Benedict at .. Insider Racing News

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The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.

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