LeBron James has been kingly, and will remain so, in his demeanor and all-time talent. His mental state and toughness has constantly been questioned. At this point in his career, he’s finally overcome his fear in the bigger moments of the game. In the greatest and most scrutinized moments in his career, he’s playing the best we’ve ever seen him.
LeBron credits “The Godfather” for calming his nerves before the biggest games of his career. He says he connects with Michael Corleone. Jow might that be?
In “The Godfather”, the aforementioned Corleone is the son of Vito Corleone, the Don of the Corleone Family mafia.
god•fa•ther
noun
- A male godparent
- A man who is influential in a movement or organization, through providing support for it or by playing a leading or innovatory part in it.
To sum it up, Vito got his start from killing Don Fanucci in his hometown who extorts the citizens. The rest is history, as he accumulated wealth and power to the point where he was able to do a favor for anybody, or make them an offer they couldn’t refuse. This offer was either his way or death at the hands of Luca Brasi, amongst others. The other part of his notoriety lied in his wisdom. Sagacious as he was ruthless, he taught his sons and others, plenty.
Michael Corleone, the most legitimate of his father’s sons, is the most able to lead the family as Don as heir yet doesn’t even want to be in the Mafia. His brother Sonny, loves it, but is a hothead, and his brother Fredo is insecure. But Michael, he’s a college-educated Marine.
There comes a time when Vito is gunned down in a coup of sorts, and dies with a heart attack. Though the only family member not interested in joining the mafia, his deep affection for his father leaves him unable to avenge his inevitable death. Though his wife was disturbed by her husband’s choice, he became Don Corleone after ordering the murders of his father’s killers.
Being skipped over as Don, his brother Fredo tries to kill him. In an effort to do what he had to do to protect his family after a shooting late night that almost left him and his wife dead, Michael orders Fredo’s assassination. Making all of the right decisions for the Corleone family with the discipline of a Marine, the ruthlessness of his father, and his own intellect, intuition, and moral conscience, Michael lifts the Corleone family to unprecedented greatness.
Now, how might LeBron view this as it relates to him? He too has to make all of the right decisions on and off the court with the discipline he learned from the Heat, the ruthlessness of a Don, and his own intellect, intuition, and moral conscience. He willingly took it upon himself to bring his organization to greatness. His family is also affected by these decisions, believe it or not, as evidenced by his statement that his sons have the final say of when he retires. He too has had brothers who resent him, a public who criticizes his every action.
He also has complete control within the organization because of his play on the court and ability to be personable, genuine and accessible. He’s the possessor of politician-like eloquence and speaks as sagaciously as any athlete we’ve ever seen. He not only makes his teammates better but brings in a boatload of money for the city and the organization.
The way LeBron plays is like he’s playing for Cleveland, for his teammates, for the fans, his family, himself. He plays like he owes somebody this championship.
He will forever be the King. This Sunday, he may fulfill his self-prophesied importance as the Chosen One. This series, he’s evolved into the type of man arguably as big as either, he’s the Godfather.
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