I can't speak for others, but personally I find it hard to tell my children two important life lessons after this whole fiasco. 1) Champions are born from adversity and never quit. 2) There is no "I" in team.
It's not so much that I'm pissed at LeBron. It's more about dissappointment. I thought that we had a player that really would be the best of all time when his career was said and done, and I think the way for him to achieve that status was to stay in Cleveland and win a few championships. I mean, how great of a story would that have been? LeBron's move to Miami shows me that he doesn't really care about money or legacy, and all he wants to do is win, which is respectable and something that he cannot be hated for. It also shows that he himself had doubts about him as a leader on a championship team. In short, my ill feelings for LeBron stem from his mishandling of the situation as well as the dissappointment that comes from the fact that basketball fans probably will never be able to truly know if he could have lead a team that he was the unquestioned leader of to the promised land and maybe the greatest player of all time.
Before they drafted Jordan, you could have said this exact same thing about the Chicago Bulls. That franchise was a laughing-stock. A joke.
I wouldn't be so sure about that. You can't watch ESPN anymore without some kind of mention of Lebron. LebronCenter. I wouldn't be surprised if ESPN didn't have something to do with making all of this come together the way it has. What's even worse is there will be at least 20 Heat games televised on ESPN. Even with Yao back, the Rockets won't get any (again) unless its against the Heat. Anyone want to bet one of the games played on Christmas day will be Cavs/Heat?
1) Shaq did the same thing, so did Kareem, Moses, and countless others. Why hold Lebron to a different standard? Because he did a stupid ESPN show on it? 2) Lebron joining two comparable players to form a great TEAM proves your "important life lesson" exactly. He couldn't win by himself, so he got some help. What's the ****ing problem?
Lebron wrote himself out of the GOAT discussion. While he and his friends are jizzing themselves in South Beach, Kobe is using this whole gong show to fuel his quest for another ring next season. Maybe if Lebron worked on a new aspect to his game every off-season instead of worrying so much about his image or playing with his buddies, he could have won several rings by now. Look, I'm not condemning any of this; it's his choice how he wants to enjoy his NBA career. It's just not how I would have gone about it. And whoever thinks the ESPN special is not a big deal has not thought this through. Yes, Lebron has the right to choose where he plays, the right to choose how he wants to announce it. Does having the right to do something make that something any less douchey? A lot of mean and douchey things people can do in life, they have a "right" to do it. Doesn't make it any less douchey. Unless Lebron was born yesterday, he knows how much he means to the city of Cleveland, how desperately they admire him, worship him, place their faith in him. How the kids in Cleveland and kids all over the world for that matter look up to him. For him to not acknowledge that whatsoever, to basically brush aside the city of Cleveland and use the platform for self-promotion, of course he has the "right," but it's still heartless and egomaniacal. If he had any decency or wasn't so wrapped up in himself, the least he could have done is hold an intimate press conference with Cleveland fans, in the city of Cleveland, look them in the face, and say: "Look, I really appreciate my time here and your support, and the last seven years mean a lot to me. But I've made my decision and I feel this is what's best for me." Simple as that.
I was thoroughly p*ssed and I could care less if Cleveland ever won anything. Never been there and didnt lose anything there! But it was the way he did it. Its like a guy leaving his wife and kids for his hot 22 year old secretary, and calling a press conference to announce it. He is a jerk and I hope he rietires with the same number of rings as John Stockton and AK 47. Oh and Carlos Boozer.
Interesting read if you have the time. It seems like its been in the making for 2 years now. http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/07/inside_the_decision_miamis_cou.html
Most of those who left were different scenarios. Kareem had won a championship with the Bucks, he cemented his legacy there, then he decided to move. Yes Shaq did decide to leave, but when signed with L.A. he had arguably the best PG in the league, and an insanely good 2nd option in Penny. Penny was supposed to be the next Magic, and Shaq left that behind. L.A. wasnt exactly greener pastures when he left Orlando. LeBron's case sint like those mentioned above. It was only him in Cleveland. I don't blame him for leaving, but the all time greats are recognized as having their teams built around them, or they push another team over the hump. Had he opted for Chicago, I think they go to the finals and it would automatically be his team, not Derrick Rose's. I the public opinion would be very different. As it is Chicago is a good team, with Lebron they are a great team. Since he chose Miami, it's Wade's team. On top of that, he joins two of the other top five 2003 draft class. Its really insane when you think about it. 3 players form the same draft class in their prime. LeBron chose the easiest route, thats why people have criticized him so hard. It isnt so much the fact he's left, its how and where he chose it.
LeBron is gone after year 4 in MIA(IMO). He'll be 29, looking for another BIG, max deal...that's when the billionaire thing officially starts. (look for NY, Brooklyn, etc) Do Heat fans give a ****? No. LOL.
Why would he be gone? I can see the 3 of them finishing their careers together as all miami has to do is just keep signing them to max deals. If they win, none of the three would have a reason to leave.
