LeBron James captivated a nation (and possibly the world) last Thursday night and held them captive for 28 agonizing minutes (let alone the previous week and a half, and after promising only 10) before announcing simply that he was "taking his talents to South Beach" and the Miami Heat.
Enough has been said about the "basketball" nature of the decision. Chicago, New York, New Jersey, and Cleveland all had their pros and cons, but Miami had friends, sunshine, and no income tax. Whatever, that aspect of the decision can only be analyzed retrospectively. We won't know the basketball ramifications until we see these teams on the court. There's been a lot of movement; many teams won't play anything like they do this year - the comparisons and match-ups will be very interesting to learn and watch develop across the league. But right now, it's all speculation.
The one thing we can analyze now is how this spectacle took place and how arguably one of the world's most popular athletes imploded his image faster than anyone since Tiger Woods... okay that was pretty recent, but you know what I mean. The backlash was immediate and sustained, turning "The Decision" into "The Catastrophe." A couple things stuck out to me -
1) The incredible lack of respect for the city of Cleveland, OH:
A friend (correctly) noted that LeBron James "does not owe Cleveland a damn thing." The Cavaliers got lucky with that draft pick, it's true. But he does owe the fans of Cleveland respect. And that respect demanded honesty and good faith, neither of which was exhibited in "The Decision." LeBron apparently failed to answer a single phone call or text message from Cavs ownership dating back to the end of the season. He left them hanging all the way to the end, and you can't convince me that he was entertaining going back. When Tom Izzo came to visit the Cavs, LBJ didn't even go to the meeting. During the announcement his comments regarding the fans back home was minimal, but he did manage to refer to himself in the 3rd person several times and indicate that he asked his mom what she thought would make him "happiest." C'mon son.
2) Immaturity isn't the right word, and I don't know what is, but Rick Reilly said it best in a short column today:
"James loves to have fun. He's not a killer, like Michael Jordan. He's not a harping-on-the-court-coach, pain-in-the-rear like Kobe... The fake camera shots, the dancing, the chalk. He was like that in high school and he's still like that. So why should anybody be surprised when he wants to play with his friends in a city that's 97 percent fun?... Wade can be the killer... James will just dunk, swat layups and do his Kid n' Play impressions."
Back in May I said, "Lebron couldn't will himself or his team to fight anymore, and that is a big question mark." Now he doesn't have to. He's got Wade now. Reilly continues, "You may want him to be something else, but he's not. What are you going to do, sue?"
The Alex Rodruigez/LeBron James analogies are fascinating. Phenomenal talent, can't do it by himself, goes somewhere else to be in the shadow of a city's giant for the purpose of winning a championship. Took A-Rod a while - let's see how LBJ does.
In short, I blame the media for allowing this television debacle happen. I blame every public relations profession in LeBron's camp who knew this was a bad idea and didn't speak up and say "Hey guys, have you ever considered that this may be a bad idea?"And if that person doesn't exist then I blame LeBron James' camp. I also blame the state of American sports and the perils of "fan-dom." We care too much, as evidenced by silly blogs like this, and the American sports industry feeds off of it.
When it really comes down to it, I really don't know what to think. I completely understand LBJ's decision. He's going to have a helluva time playing his game with his friends in South Beach, but the pressure is on. He has got to win and win soon. I simply cannot comprehend the methodology. Nothing indicates that he "made the decision" that morning - everything points to premeditation.
Let's assume for a moment that the LBJ/Bosh/Wade trifecta was concocted way back at the 2008 Summer Olympics as put forth by some writers. Let's imagine then that LeBron, knowing this was the plan, actually did quit in the Boston series, an idea put forth by many, including Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and myself. Now put "The Decision" in that perspective, and it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. It would be as if the NBA were turning into the WWE. Conspiracy theory, I know, but what if?
Side note: while Dan Gilbert was more than likely out of line in the above-linked letter, let he without the sin of overreacting after feeling extremely betrayed and cheated throw the first stone. I don't agree, but I can't judge.
As sports media agonize over this "LeBacle," David Ortiz won the Home Run Derby last night and had this to say afterwards (paraphrased): "I wanted to do this for the fans, that's why we're here. They come to see us, and I'm happy we were able to put on a good show." Wow, now that's what I'm looking for! A stark contrast to "LeBron's gotta do what LeBron's gotta do." We care so much for no discernible reason whatsoever, and that just feels good. Alas, maybe I'm asking too much.
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