The Meaning of Lebron as Cowards

There were lots of better pictures out there that were representative of the idea of Lebron as coward, but I couldn’t resist trying to rub it in these guys’ faces one last time.
Frankly not very many people have actually called Lebron a coward, but while only one or two commentators have actually used those words, pretty much anyone that has negatively commented on the movement of Lebron to Miami has spoken in metaphors or synonyms to coward.
But why do we hear these kinds of sentiments when the idea of coward, something that is inextricably linked to an almost dead idea of honor is still used in professional sports.  We never see these ideas used in school or in our work place or pretty much anywhere else.  When was the last time someone described anyone you know as a coward, or someone’s behavior as dishonorable?
It seems to me that sports is the last refuge of these old ideas of honor in American culture, it’s still where specifically men challenge each other on “the battle field” and find superiority by defeating their opponent.  With all the discussion of “how” someone plays the game, their “attitude” and how they interact with their team mates these ideas are still prevalent.
So what many have seen with Lebron, including or should I say especially former players like Sir Chuck and Jordan is someone that instead of rising to the challenge of trying to overcome or defeat another player, Wade in this case, he has chosen to join him.  The equivalent of an American soldier saying that this island hopping shit is just too much and joining the Japanese side.
This has clearly tainted the Heat as an organization too, as they have suddenly become evil in the minds of many, a place that harbors cowards and traitors, like a pirate ship.  Even Chris Bosh whom no one blames for leaving the Raptors is now covered in the stink of this deal.  He is routinely described as a third wheel, the toady that follows the bully around doing his dirty work, the sycophant.
I think it will be very interesting to see how this narrative plays out over the coming years, if these ideas can even be sustained in sports or if the new age of “best friend” players will destroy these last vestiges of the honor culture even in sports.
Sorry this post was completely lacking in humor, maybe I’ll change the motto of the site to “The blog that used to get hand jobs from your older sister in the garage” just so everything ends on a light note.