Cleveland Indians option Trevor Bauer, Scott Barnes and Corey Kluber to minors
March 21, 2013Gag order still in place regarding Phil Dawson negotiations
March 21, 2013I hate rehashing the LeBron James story. I really do. When he left Cleveland to join the Superfriends in Miami, I like the rest of you was beyond angry. The deep hatred that I had for LeBron had nothing to do with the fact that he left, but the way that he left. The clown show that followed with that horrific WWE-style introduction “Welcome to Miami” press event made everyone sick. I mean, who didn’t want to punch Chris Bosh in the face during it?
That first year in Miami was actually enjoyable to me, because everyone around the NBA immediately despised LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Bosh. Nobody was rooting for them. Nobody. Watching the Heat lose in the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks felt like a victory for all the little guys who got burned by the stars who left for greener pastures. Then last year happened.
You all know what occurred. LeBron got the monkey off his back in the Finals, shed his un-clutch label, danced around like a kid on Christmas Morning, and was crowned a champion. I hated it. Hated every single second. I couldn’t watch. Except for some reason, I did. I had one friend in particular who during the season told me he was actually rooting for LeBron and the Heat. His rationale was that he did so much for basketball in Cleveland and he loved him so much as a player that he just couldn’t stop rooting for him. Like anyone else would have done, I told him he was absolutely insane and a traitor.
Something changed though this summer. Now that LeBron was a champion, the villainous character that he had become nationwide almost immediately turned the other way. The scarlet letter was ripped off of his lapel. It wasn’t so cool to hate him anymore outside of Cleveland. People began to see that softer side again. The endorsements and commercials increased and “LeBron redux” was everywhere. This time, he did it as a champion. Yet people in Cleveland still understandably hated the man.
Last night’s hotly contested Cavs/Heat game was LeBron’s most recent return to the 216. However, for the first time, there were people in LeBron “Heat 6” jerseys who walked the Q without getting their faces kicked in. Sure, the boos outweighed the cheers, but there were actual people cheering for him. Once he became a champion, it is like the anger subsided a bit. The realization that he is the greatest player in the world began to outweigh that ridiculous TV show debacle that made him the country’s most despicable athlete for almost two years.
I’ve said this before, I am NBA Free. I am for the most part divorced from Pro Basketball, but its not as if I don’t know what is going on. The Heat entered last night’s game on an unbelievable 23-game winning streak, the second longest in NBA history. All I hear and read from the most trusted names in and around the NBA circles is that LeBron’s greatness on the floor is becoming the stuff of legend. As incredible of a player that he is, his 2012-13 season is rising to heights that haven’t been seen.
Here is the thing. I don’t really hate LeBron anymore. Do I root for him and want the Heat to win titles? Of course not, but I look at it objectively; the guy is the best at what he does.
I turned the game on last night at 71-49. In the blink of an eye it was 77-77. The comeback wasn’t all LeBron James, but he certainly was the catalyst. When he hit that big three and Byron Scott took a timeout, James just stared into the crowd. The fans were seething with anger. Had I been there, I may have felt that same way. But in front of my TV, all I could say was “wow.” It was easy to dislike his b.s. theatrics and that new dance he seems to do at big spots. The play on the floor? You have to appreciate the greatness, don’t you?
Go ahead. Call me a moron if you’d like. But the hatred for all intents and purposes has been weaned down to simple dislike. I am also in the camp of people that think that LeBron will return eventually. He knows that there is one and only one stain on his career – how he left Cleveland. The summer of 2014 will be here before you know it, and LeBron will most likely have at least two titles in tow before he opts out of his contract. He will be given the opportunity to come back to Cleveland and right the only wrong in his illustrious career. I will be on the side of those who will welcome him back if it does indeed happen. The people who say they don’t want him to return are fooling themselves.
You wouldn’t want to see LeBron and Kyrie Irving together in Wine and Gold? This isn’t about hurt feelings anymore. This is about winning championships. This just in, having the best player in the world on your team dramatically improves your chances.
51 Comments
Outside of Cleveland, it appears that just about everybody has forgiven James. The same people who disliked him intensely now like him a lot. And why is this? James has not done a single thing to mitigate or atone for his disgusting, ego-pathologic, selfish behavior leading up to his grand Announcement. He’s the same schmuck, but now he’s widely revered instead of reviled.
I guess that’s what winning does for you. You can be a complete ass, but if you win games, people don’t care.
Oh well, such is life. I still care, and I don’t ever want that dirtbag back here.
how about No More LeBron Pieces…?
Admitting you aren’t tuned in to the NBA and then saying the Heat came in riding a 22 game win streak, ended all credibility for this article. It was 23 coming in and now stands at 24. If you don’t watch/follow/enjoy the NBA please don’t write pieces about it, because when you admit you don’t and then make a small error like that it loses all its steam.
just remember that tomorrow you are stuck living your life, while LeBron still gets to be LeBron.
Seriously? All credibility? Come on. The article wasn’t about the streak, or the game. It was about TD’s feelings toward LeBron. Pretty sure he has credibility there.
How ironic would it be for Clevelanders to refuse to cheer when he comes back because of how he left, screwing us out of a championship, and thus missing out on enjoying the first championship since ’64?
(Of course, nobody would admit still hating him during the victory parade. “No, brah, I loves LeBron. I was with him all along! He’s my dog, yo! Go Cavs!!!! YeeeeeaaaAAAAAHHHHHH!”)
Hey, Jordan was a giant a-hole, but people still loved him. You can get away with anything if you win.
Yep, you’re right. James might be a complete dirtbag, but he can still take pleasure knowing that the rest of us are stuck here in our miserable little Unchosen One existences.
“and then make a small error like that it loses all its steam”
they keyword there seems to be “small error”. You’re way too upset
but, when you go to the store and they are out of milk, that’s LeBron’s fault (not sure if he has a calcium deficiency or he just likes spilling milk and laughing diabolically).
” …that’s what winning does for you.”
That’s the heart of it. The man-child with the freakishly distorted world view still preens to the crowd at mid-court and teases reporters about where he might sign, he can’t help it. But winning sweetens us up, means sponsors can now dare to suggest he’s a regular guy like we love to pretend about the greatest athletes. Out with the white-suited pimp at poolside, The Decision killed the funny on that angle. Let’s go with this: hey America, stop your hatin’ cuz he’s just a cuddly stay-home daddy who hangs with the fellas at the sepia-toned corner barbershop, all to an old-school R & B soundtrack. Yeah, that works.
On one hand, I don’t want him back because I would like to see if the likes of Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, and Trisitan Thompson can do against others. Also I think Chris Grant will draft a SF this year. And if said player happens to be Shabazz Huhammed for example, then I’ll bet he won’t be pleased playing second banana behind Lebron.
On the other hand, Despite all of the begging that some Cavs fans are doing now, I don’t think he’ll come back. Partly because of his decision, but I think contract concerns will occur with the players that we have. Suppose Kyrie, Dion, Trisitan, and Tyler puts up superstar, or close to superstar numbers. More than likely they’ll want to resign to big contracts. If the players that we have now become the players that are key to the Cavs success in the future, then how will they be able to afford our key players, and afford the rest of the roster, and afford Lebron as well? True, the Cavs could just trade, but good luck getting what you want out of the trade (lottery picks, and players that fit your system), and good luck finding a team that wants to trade with you.
So TD, why not address those other issues that foolish people have towards not wanting Lebron back?
The only superstar we have on our team is Kyrie. And that is that unless we find some rare gem in the draft or lure free agents. Dion, Tristan, and Zeller will never be superstars. They may have some nice games and have All-Star-like games every once in a while, but let’s not kid ourselves. Kyrie is a cut above the rest.
I agree that it’s hard not to appreciate greatness when I see it. Eventually I stopped hating Michael Jordan, because what would be the point? Might as well tune in & enjoy a good show
He was embarassed in the worst possible way during the finals against the Mavs, he openly admitted the decision thing was mistake, he was the backbone of the Olympic team, and he has fully realized his talent on a night in basis.
Failure + Apology + Redemption = America’s favorite story.
Ahh, so I take it you can see the future? Then tell me the exact stats of Dion, Tristan, and Zeller for the next five years, please. After all, you may be right, but you have no proof to show that those three “will never be superstars”.
Did you miss the part where he said he is aware of what is going on in the league?
Well, he did say the tv special was a mistake, and he wish he had done it another way. And of course, he’s worked hard and kept his nose clean since, which should be the extent of what we ask athletes to do. Anyone who still holds a grudge is the one who has the problem, not him.
No sale, Steve. James finally relented to persistent badgering and mumbled some half-hearted pseudo-apology just to get the media off his back. He’s not sorry for what he did and he’s not sorry for how he did it, he’s only sorry that so many people didn’t like it and criticized him for it. End of that story.
Yes, he has some redeeming qualities, and he has kept his nose clean, I’ll give you that. But it’s my grudge, and I’m sticking to it.
I agree TD. For me, after that first year, I considered the matter closed, and he was just another NBA player not on my chosen favorite team, and as a result, I did not like him.
With Michael Jordan, the anger subsided eventually as well, and it got to the point where I just had to respect him as a competitor, and then once it got down to the last couple Finals vs. the Jazz, I found myself rooting for the Bulls, just because I wanted to be able to say I saw “Greatness”
What is driving me nuts is the fact that ESPN is still pushing the “Cleveland hates LeBron” meme, like we’re a bunch of children who can’t get over losing their favorite toy. I know that’s the easy story for them, and by this time in life I should know better to not expect anything less from them, as they aren’t worried about journalism, only sensationalism. Dari Nowkah (remember when he made an appearance on this message board) has been bringing it up for 2 days in a row on Mike and Mike. I found that especially ironic, since he took the time some years ago to come to a local message board and tell us to get over it, and now he apparently can’t be bothered to do some research and see if the meme he is pushing even has any merit.
Anywhoo…a Tourney question for you- assuming KU makes the Sweet 16, which team concerns you more between VCU and Michigan? I’m a Michigan homer, and VCU scares the daylights out of me…
you’re from the 440? You lost all credibility with me. Everyone knows true Clevelanders are from the 216
/s
Rather draft another few legit players and build a champion the right way instead of begging and putting all our hopes on a guy we’ve all hated and has already burned us.
don’t get it. If he’s an athlete on the court, I don’t expect more. When he creates a national entertainment special about him and humiliates the city (and screws my local team with his little surprise to increase ratings) that’s not the extent of what I ask. He stepped off the court into another place, with different consequences. He opened an unprecedented door to be vilified.
Personally, I have no strong feeling about what he does now, even whether he comes back. But don’t condescendingly tell the customers that it’s their problem. He’s an entertainer. It’s his problem. He’s known it, his sponsors sure know it, it’s ridic to deny it. And if the customers want their grudge, it’s theirs for as long as they want.
YAAAAA.
TRUUUU.
Right up until the moment James announced his decision, I was positive he was going to stay here. My reasoning was that nobody — NOBODY — could be so callous, selfish, and egomaniacal as to put the entire region through all this drawn-out drama and then screw us over like that. If he was going to leave, he couldn’t possibly string us along like that. Such a thing was incomprehensible. Nobody would ever do such a thing.
Like Mr. Wonderful says on “Shark Tank”: He’s dead to me.
If the goal of being in professional sports (fan or employee) is to win games and
Pen ultimately win championships theres no better way to do it then to have Lebron on your team. For 7 years he took a team full of D-Leaguers and washed up Vets (OK some exceptions in there, but you get my point) and made them instantly competitive and then eventually a Title Contender. When you surround him with talent, he will deliver a championship. That is why Chris Grant HAS to try to bring him back in 2014. Even if the odds of him coming back are 1/20, if he does come back you instantly become a title contender, the franchise triples in value and the fans will come roaring back after they start 2014 on a 12-2 run.
If the goal of being a fan is to “like” the players on your team, then that’s another thing. In which case you can never forgive the guy (and I can’t blame you). But winning does go a long way towards forgiveness. For a city that has gone 50+ without a championship, I think we should all hope he comes back.
“He’s not sorry for what he did and he’s not sorry for how he did it,
he’s only sorry that so many people didn’t like it and criticized him
for it.”
This is quite a burden of proof you are willing to take on.
And that’s quite a burden of disproof you are apparently willing to take on.
The only reason the city was humiliated was because of how they reacted on national TV. If Clevelanders were as tough as they act, and instead of crying and burning jerseys on national TV they picked themselves up by the bootstraps and said “we’ll move on and figure out another way to build a contender”, no one in this town is humiliated.
It was a national entertainment special because people wanted to see it. You do remember how many bars in Cleveland were packed to watch that, right?
Sure, he opened up the door to be vilified. And he’s realized he screwed up, and is trying to go about doing things the right way. I’m not sure what else he should be doing.
And he’s not telling the you that it’s your problem. He’s minding his own business. I’m saying that anyone who still holds a grudge has some odd priorities.
Of course, its only callous, selfish and egomanical because he chose another place over us. If he did it to tell Clevelanders how much he loved them, and that he was sticking it to those awful folks from New York, Miami, and Chicago, well then he’s a hero.
Well, actually that you’re the one attempting to disprove something, namely his claim that he hadn’t chosen the Heat like he did.
But the burden of proof is on the accuser, and you are the one accusing him of misrepresenting his true feelings about the decision.
OK… I will call you a moron! This is exactly what he wants. Everybody to be forgetful and back on his bandwagon. “Oh Lebron, please please come back. We so desperately need your talents.” Here’s what I say, “F YOU, F GLORIA, and F THE BANDWAGON YOU AND YOUR POSSE RODE IN ON!” Until a man rectifies his mistakes he will never be forgiven in my book. And no I’m not saying Kyrie and Lebron wouldn’t make a great duo, I’m saying until it happens stop putting his ugly mug on the only site I can go on as a Cleveland fan. Please remove yourself further from the NBA and leave this kind of writing to ESPN.
Jordan won like a gladiator. he wanted to rise above every challenge. LeBron wants to find the easiest path. But he is finding his inner-Jordan by the year.
I think LeBron is the best to ever play – right now. After his Jason Terry diss I realized that he now has that killer instinct. He will be unequivocally the best ever when he retires.
You want proof?
YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE PROOF!
Naaaaaaaah, I don’t think it’s quite the same.
But hey, look, I figure you must still be upset because Art Modell wasn’t elected to the HOF. So if you want to vent, that’s okay. I’m here for you.
Okay, Dwyane (if that really is your name), we get it.
24 straight is amazing, then again so is 500 straight minutes without committing a foul….
I’d rather see Kyrie, TT,Dion and whoever we get this year beat lebron in the finals than have him come back to “save us”.
TD at some point between now and the 300th time you write a piece about Lebron you are going to have to drop th”NBA free” line. Keeping a keen eye on the best player in the game and then writing about said player is hardly free. Your free like Scott Weiland is herion free. Just saying own what you do.
I am SO over this crap. Like the fan in the bleachers in ‘Major League’… Who gives a (bleep) He’s gone
I think all he is saying Lunch is that it is usually somewhat apparent if a player (especially an NBA player methinks) has superstar potential. I would say Kyrie is the only sure-fire superstar (barring injuries), but the other three you mentioned certainly have potential to be good or even great players. I believe Dion Waiters is capable of being an all-star. I think Double T is also capable, but it’s hard to see him as one of the best at his position. And Zellers doesn’t strike me as someone who will ever pan out as an all-star, but with that being said, he definitely could be a great role player.
VCU. I picked them to go to the Final Four. KU cannot handle that kind of pressure.
I am NBA Free. I dont watch the Cavs. I dont watch national NBA games. But I am a huge sports fan, have Twitter up all day, etc. I’d be a moron to completely ignore the fact that the Heat have won 24 in a row. Its a huge national sports story.
I cannot for the life of me understand this idea that some folks would rather not have the best player walking the face of Gods green earth, out of some sort of principle. I was one of those a long time ago maybe, but I’ve learned some things over the years.
Sports has no principles, and it has no innate sense of fairness. Nothing is fair, If it were, the Ratbirds wouldn’t have celebrated another SB this past year. So with that in mind, I don’t give a damn HOW it hapens. I don’t care if we win one by default as every other team has been obliterated via nuclear detonations. I don’t care if we win by smashing the other teams stars in the kneecaps Tonya Harding style. I care that we win. Period. Players come, players go. Some you like, some you don’t, but at the end of the day, I want to win.
You think Miami fans are sitting at the parade after a title thinking: “boy those guys don’t have upstanding character and principles!” Hell no. They are snorting cocaine off whatever flat surface they can find and getting their party on. I want to party too!
I just think we are upholding ideals of a bygone era here. Sports ain’t like it was in the 50’s.
As an aside: everybody talking about LeBrons preening and such, I assume you take Kyrie to task for his increased verbosity in crunch time this year as well? Screaming “that’s what the f*** I do!” after a game winner…pointing to the court in Charlotte after the game winner there as if to say “this is my house.” Or is Kyrie exempt because he wears our colors? Just wondering.
I didn’t pick either to make the title game, but Louisville vs. VCU would be an absolute joy to watch.
I cant believe I read this article. And EVERY comment.
TD – Has everyone forgotten those last ECF’s against Boston? And his pathetic performance? And that image that’s burnt into the back of my brain of him ripping off the uniform and throwing it on the ground the second the final game ended. As if he couldn’t get the name CLEVELAND off of him quickly enough.
We thought he could be the “Chosen One” who could bring a championship back to our town. But he WASN’T and he DIDN’T. He shrank away from that challenge. He never was who we all thought he could be.
He and the team around him WEREN’T GOOD ENOUGH while he was here.
He’s your ex-girlfriend, who’s looking great these days, but she always treated you terribly when you were together, and here you are begging for her back. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. She doesn’t owe us anything and she’s just going to do what’s best for her (which I honestly can’t blame her for). But you have to get over it. She doesn’t care what you think or how you feel. She’s moved on and so should you.
Are all these people rooting for her and clamoring for her to come back home – are they going to be all upset again when it doesn’t happen? When she spurns us again? How will that feel?
If she decides to take us back, fine. That’s her choice. But I can’t sit here and hope and dream she’ll come running back into our lives. She doesn’t deserve our angst, our anger or our passion. So don’t appease her with it.
You follow the story of Lebron, you read “the most trusted names in NBA reporting”, you have a watchful longing eye on the slim possibility he comes back in 2 years. You are very very far from “NBA free”. I just think it is such an odd thing to keep pronouncing in the middle of yet another story about the NBA. Remember Acceptance is the first step to recovery.
If you didn’t want to have a discussion about it, I’m not sure why you came to a forum instead of just speaking to the wall. I get that you don’t like your opinions getting challenged, but you’re just being childish.
But we have had a discussion about it. I said my bit several times, you said yours several times, and we disagree. Fine. Let’s move along. There’s no need to beat this thing to death.
again, that’s really condescending. It was an entertainment special that Lebron and his people created it, and then used as a forum for his aggrandizement, at the expense of the Cavs. The customers of the team were punked, and since they are the customers, they can decide whom to support, whom to hate.
“He’s minding his own business …” really. When? He does nothing but promote himself and his “brand,” drum up interest in what he might do next. You’re making this guy out to be the opposite of what he tries so hard to be. He has a right to be that brand, that tease, that global icon. And customers, especially those here, have the right to hate that act as a fraud and to hate him. You’re logic seems to be that it’s immature for his former slavish fans to do anything but turn away from his ongoing winks and hikes of his skirt. Me thinks you are the one who has to let that go.