It will be a nice change of pace to see Miami Heat “fans” come to American Airlines Arena in brand new LeBron James jerseys, rather than the empty chairs they typically wear. LeBron announced Thursday to a worldwide audience on
It will be a nice change of pace to see Miami Heat “fans” come to American Airlines Arena in brand new LeBron James jerseys, rather than the empty chairs they typically wear.
LeBron announced Thursday to a worldwide audience on the self-proclaimed worldwide leader of sports network that he would indeed be signing with the Heat.
A franchise known for bandwagon fans, one that was known for not selling out home playoff games, one that was graced with a championship banner a mere four years ago now has two of the three best players in the world (James and Dwyane Wade), along with an All-Star power forward (Chris Bosh).
Is this sour grapes? Yes.
But not because the team I cheer for, the New York Knicks, was not given a rose at the conclusion of Thursday’s fiesta.
I’m bitter that this great assemblage of talent is to be wasted on a franchise whose fans are known for their ability to supernaturally appear and disappear.
But I don’t blame LeBron, the person. He made a decision that he has obviously put plenty of thought into and of which he hopefully understands all the ramifications.
However, I think LeBron put himself into a no-win situation throughout this entire process. He wound up being the last player to announce his decision, thus creating clear descriptions of what each potential choice would say about him.
The narratives were being written while he remained silent.
He needed to be the guy leading the charge, the first one to sign the dotted line.
He needed to be active instead of reactive.
When the rest of the top-tier free agents made their destinations known, LeBron was left looking either indecisive or egotistical — uncertain about his future or simply craving the spotlight all to himself as the world waited, craving his announcement.
All of his options suddenly had heavy cloud cover.
If he decided to stay in Cleveland, he would be considered loyal to a fault. His hometown fans would continue to worship at his feet, but basketball analysts would ponder if he really did care about winning championships. There would be those who would say that he doesn’t hold winning in as high regard as Kobe and Jordan. He just wants to remain popular and please others.
If he decided to go to the New York Knicks, the entire country, other than a small portion of the northeast, would have said he was simply about ego. There would have been better opportunities to win championships out there, but he wanted the glitz and glamour, the celebrity status on the world’s biggest stage.
And if he decided on the Miami Heat, he would be going to what is essentially another superstar’s team. Wade is the local hero and LeBron will never be as popular.
He made the decision to head to Miami, which I believe will crush him in a historical sense. No matter how many championships they are able to win — and it’s clearly not a given that they will win any, the delicate dynamic down there will have to be brilliantly managed by Pat Riley — LeBron can now never be considered the greatest player of all time.
This also hurts him in the present as far as nationwide fans are concerned.
When he used to come to Madison Square Garden, the building would be buzzing in anticipation of his arrival. The crowd would ooh and ahh, even cheer his spectacular displays of ability.
No more.
The building will once again be buzzing when the Heat come to town, but those “oohs” will now be resounding “boos.”
He has made himself into the biggest heel in the NBA.
Sure, there may still be some toddlers who will keep their Cleveland “23” jerseys, but anyone who has a rooting interest outside of Miami will no longer be saying “Yeah, I’m a (Team X) fan, but I love LeBron, too.”
He may even have put himself in a tougher situation to re-gain his national fans than Tiger Woods.
Though a Knick fan, I, for one, was hoping he would stay in Cleveland. That city deserves to have something go right, whether it’s within the sports world or not.
I wrote last week about how they have a love for LeBron that no other city could touch.
He was their son.
While the rest of us are simply infatuated with his skills, their love has been unconditional.
I feel for Cleveland as I felt for Seattle when their team was ripped away from them and taken to Oklahoma City. Only this might be worse if the Cavs nosedive in the standings and can’t make any roster changes.
At least those in Seattle don’t have to watch the skeletal remains of their once exciting team trot out for 82 games a year.
However, I also can understand that if LeBron had stayed a Cavalier for six more years and not gotten closer to winning a title, his resentment towards the city and the organization would have been not just predictable, but logical.
How could he not develop some sort of “You’re lucky to have me” attitude?
After Bosh declined the option to go join LeBron in Cleveland, there would be no happy resolution to this entire scenario.
At least not one that would be in everyone’s best interest.
LeBron ultimately needed to decide what would make him the happiest. He apparently felt that would be Miami.
It’s unfortunate that what he decided would make him the happiest has made the fewest number of other people happy.
