2. The media loves a redemption story
One thing that’s always been true about our great nation is that we’re a nation of second chances, and that we absolutely love comeback stories.
So does the media.
The mainstream media has a tendency to build up the great ones, then tear them down at the first sign of trouble. It happened with Kobe, Magic, Tiger Woods and several others.
As Woods won the Masters a few months ago, his first major tournament win in 11 years, he seemed to make his public rehab seem full-circle, and LeBron can do the same.
Most consider LeBron to be one of the two or three greatest players of all time. If the Lakers finish with the best, or even the second-best record in the league and looked primed for a championship, I’m sure the media will talk about how LeBron has made a “comeback.” If the Lakers do win the world championship, the media will milk that “comeback” talk for all it’s worth.
Whether it would really be a comeback or not, one thing’s for sure: such talk will draw ratings and interest, and the media is all about clicks, views and ratings.
LeBron has a chance now to put another notch on his belt and take his legacy to a somewhat higher level in his final prime years. If he succeeds at that, last season’s struggles will make it seem that much sweeter.