Talking LeBron

July 15, 2010

We finally heard of “The Decision” last week. LeBron James chose to leave Cleveland to join the Miami Heat. Like many, I was ready for the buildup and the actual decision. What I was not ready for was the backlash against James.

As is the case with virtually any topic across this country it seems, Americans need to lighten up. I am still shaking my head about a poll I saw on TV this past weekend. The question was who has tarnished their reputation more, LeBron James or Tiger Woods? Give me a break!

The decision was quite simple. James made a choice he has every right to make because he is a basketball player, not the savior of Cleveland. Those who are lashing out at James, including those in Northeast Ohio, need to take a step back and reflect. They need to ask themselves if this decision makes them miserable.

I have always believed that there is a tendency among many people to blame others for their misery. While doing this, they put all their hopes in things and people who are unable to fulfill the expectations. James is a basketball player who is not responsible for people’s wealth, happiness, or success. Those who think differently likely have the same mentality that blames government and elected-officials when the only thing to blame is the person’s own bad life decisions.

Photo: ‘Betrayer’ LeBron James, a grown man who made a personal choice...shame on him?

I also have a problem with those who are making an issue out of the one-hour show James and ESPN produced. The same media members who kept James and his decision in the news on an hourly basis are now making statements of how big of an ego he must have to make his announcement in that type of setting.

I have no problem with what he did last Thursday night because he saw an interest in what he had to say and he used that to raise millions for the Boys and Girls Club.

I do have a problem with the name calling, jersey burning, and shouts of disloyalty. Again, take a step back and think about it. Are not these actions just as disloyal to LeBron as people believe he was to Cleveland?

Here is another problem I have. We often hear fans complain that professional athletes care more about money than they do about winning. But here is LeBron taking $15 million less to try and win a title in Miami. Shouldn’t LeBron’s reputation now be enhanced? Apparently not for the hypocrites out there.

Speaking of hypocrites, millions of people leave their hometowns to look for success every day. I have a feeling there are many former Cleveland natives speaking out against James. When they left, they did not get treated like this. When people move on and better themselves, we wish them luck and send them on their way. More should do so for James.

Then there is Dan Gilbert, the majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His open letter to the fans is a disgrace. It could be used by elementary school teachers to illustrate immaturity.

Gilbert calls LeBron selfish and disloyal, and a betrayer. Those same words could describe Gilbert. Funny that the letter does not thank LeBron for the millions of dollars that Gilbert made off of him.

Lets go back eight or nine years ago. Back to a time when the Cavs were about to fold. Back when they were lucky enough to win the draft lottery and draft LeBron. James saved that franchise and Gilbert has profited from that. An owner with class would have said that he was disappointed and then went on to thank LeBron. Not Gilbert. His reaction actually helps me better understand why James left Cleveland. Do you think Jerry West or Jerry Buss of the Lakers would act like Gilbert?

James gave Cleveland seven years. Cavs’ fans and the new James-haters out there need to get over it. While taking a look in the mirror.
  
Good News For ACC

Your favorite ACC school just doubled the amount of television money it has been receiving. The conference has signed a 12-year television rights deal with ESPN worth approximately $1.86 billion.

Reports out of the ACC office is that each school’s take has doubled. Breaking that down evenly means that the conference will receive $155 million a year from the deal, more than doubling the current take of $75 million. That’s $13 million per school which, for now, puts the ACC ahead of the Big 12 in the No. 3 spot in TV revenue behind the Big Ten and SEC.

Conference commissioner John Swofford also announced that the ACC will not be establishing an ACC television network.

Photo: Dan ‘cry baby’ Gilbert