People, there's still thousands of gallons of oil gushing into the Gulf Coast, ways-of-life are being destroyed by the day, the war in Afghanistan is still up for a serious debates even amongst those who voted President Obama into the Oval Office. You get the point. There are real issues going on in the real world. But in our reality TV culture, LeBron James "decision" on his hoop game future took on must-see viewing. Where would he go and why? It was obvious having a press conference did not include the possibility of an announcement saying he was staying in Northeastern Ohio. Unless you were a hopeful Cavaliers fan.
Being from Buffalo, NY I understand the pain of fate in the athletic arena. Four straight Super Bowl losses, a skate in the crease in triple OT of the Stanley Cup Finals and other slights will do that to a fan. Especially the talk of "small market." LeBron jersye's were burning within minutes of his decision. Dan Gilbert, the Cavs owner wrote a scathing diatribe reserved in most situations for scorned lovers or disgruntled employees. () Wait, he is the owner right? Although he shouldn't have written the letter in the way that he did the pain within it was real and understandable. LeBron is an Ohioan. He's one of their own. They must feel betrayed and embarrassed in the public fashion in which LeBron chose to inform them of his single-quickly-in-a-new relationship status.
The way he broke the news to the Cleveland faithful was dirty pool; it could have been done in a press release without the indignity of Cleveland fans being whored out on television and laughed at by an American public that largely does not understand the Cleveland's, Buffalo's, Detroit's, Denver's or Milwaukee's. These professional sports franchises are more than a team; they are a real and believed reflection and representation of a town and its people. They are an extension of the locality. When the team is ballin' out of control so are the residents. When the team is down so is the city psyche. That team is their hot club, their grand opening, their VIP room. They bring glory to a place many look down their noses to see. But even in their pain, Ohioans have to remember the truth.
The truth is that LeBron James is one of them, by birth, and his birth certificate will shout that out until the end of records being kept. He is also one of them in circumstance. How many Ohioans have had to seek greener pastures in another city or state because there was a lack of employment or because they could make more money elsewhere? LeBron is of Ohio, he is from Ohio, but he is not owned by Ohio. Scream, curse, burn his jersey; fine. But to act like LeBron owes something to the city and its people is senseless. The same people that booed him and the Cavs of the court in game 5, and rightfully so, now "boo" him for bouncin' out. He stunk against Boston and folks were within their rights to boo. And he believes he has a better chance to win elsewhere and struck out for greener pastures. That is the American way and it's done all over this country on a daily basis regardless of one's class, race, gender or religion.
LeBron hooped hard for seven years in Cleveland. Nothing lasts forever. Fans say they loved LeBron, supported him, raised him even. But what's a selfish love worth? True love would mean wishing the man well. LeBron choosing to ride D. Wade's coattails to a title is another topic altogether, but if that's what makes him happy so be it. If he does win a title he will do it as a native of Ohio that went somewhere and did well.
