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# Lessons From LeBron
- URL: https://www.philsimon.com/lessons-from-lebron/
- Published: 2011-06-13T15:49:24.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-22T14:16:33.000Z
- Description: What the NBA finals and Heat teach us.
- Author: Phil Simon
- Tags: Trends, Basketball, Marketing

In what was one of the most compelling finals in recent NBA history, the Mavs beat the Heat. In no particular, here's what the entire LeBron-a-thon this year teaches us:

- Studs and duds doesn't work as a strategy for building a team. The Mavs have one legitimate star and a bunch of very good players.
- Unsuspected stars emerge. [J.J. Barea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9%5FJuan%5FBarea?ref=philsimon.com) was on no one's radar this year and was one of the more important factors in the series.
- Controversy makes for great marketing. Think about it: How many of you watched just because you wanted him to lose?
- Make a big spectacle of yourself and you'll make enemies. Lots of 'em.
- Everyone has a voice via Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.
- LeBron has to do some growing up. Case in point: Mocking Dirk's illness.