It seems that way…doesn’t it?
Doesn’t it seem like there were rumors from the day that LeBron arrived in Cleveland that he would be going somewhere else as soon as he could?
Cleveland was always on a clock.
Now…I know that isn’t really true. There was a true and glorious honeymoon in Ohio for what appeared to be the best luck that could befall them in many a year. A basketball child prodigy that made good. But even during that time period, it seemed that Cleveland was on a clock.
As James got better and better, the pressure increased to support him with teammates that could help drive the Cavs toward an NBA title. The single superstar theory was put to the test. James supporting crew gradually got better and better. Last season the Cavs threw the kitchen sink in by adding Shaquille O’Neal and Antawn Jamison. The theory, or perhaps LeBron James himself was ultimately found wanting.
Nary a Scotty Pippen was found. No Kevin McHales were discovered. Mo Williams was more of a Danny Ainge addition than a Dennis Johnson get. Whether you blame the strategy, James himself, or the players James was surrounded with, it never really worked. That is, if you were expecting an NBA championship. Still, it was a great ride and entertaining to watch from a distance.
Fan Reactions – Coward?
From the top radio sports show in New York to the streets of Cleveland, the fan response was primal, emotional, and personal.
Even the radio pundit on New York’s top sports radio station WFAN, The Fan, was calling LeBron a coward for spurning New York, home of the far-too-long, far-too-inept Knicks. Callers echoed his feelings.
LeBron jersey burnings were sighted in Cleveland. A Big Red T for Traitor or D for Disloyal would be emblazoned on LeBron’s forehead forevermore.
Let me say, New York fans deserve a better team than they have been forced to watch for many a year. Yet the idea that this franchise was the best choice for LBJ is debatable at best. I personally thought Chicago would have been an intriguing place to land.
Jeff Van Gundy’s Comment
On ESPN, Jeff Van Gundy said that he thought someone like LeBron would want to play against the Dwyane Wades of the world to get to the championship, instead of joining him and Chris Bosh in Miami.
I had to think about that statement a while before forming anything but a knee jerk reaction. There is no doubt that the decision that LeBron made and the way he made it says something about himself. Even one of his oldest friend’s say that LeBron has a hard time making decisions and always has. It seemed to be the case here.
After watching James flip-flopping and mollycoddling around, Dyawne Wade could no longer wait on LeBron and decided to return to Miami. Chris Bosh, a second tier superstar (is there such a thing?) soon followed suit. It appeared it was only then that James made up his mind.
I don’t blame him for the decision he made. You could argue it was the right one. This Miami team will certainly have the three of the very most talented NBA players and at still young ages to build around. They will be a force to reckon with for years to come – even if you played 9 girl scouts around them.
And maybe the decision making process says something about all three stars. I don’t actually know how it all went down. Maybe they had it all planned this way for a while.
I know one thing for sure. The true leader and heart and soul of the revitalized Miami Heat will be a man named Dwyane Wade.
And that might be the best thing for all three.
