Memo to Cleveland Cavaliers Fans: Slavery Is Dead!

And no, I'm not talking about racism.

I'm talking about that one-way sense of entitlement that sports fans (and owners... especially ones named Dan Gilbert) selectively and conveniently acquire regarding players. All I've heard out of Cleveland since LeBron's "Decision" are words like "traitor," "disloyal," "cowardly," "betrayal," and those are just the ones repeatable on a family site.

I've also seen LeBron jerseys burned...which, while I get the point of the expression, just seems kind of rightfully silly to me to burn something that you paid good money for. But...if it's yours, you have the right to burn it. I just wish they'd send 'em to me instead and I'm a Lakers fan.

Better yet, there are some little kids somewhere who could care less about sports' politics, free agency, curses, or even rings and would love to have a LeBron jersey.

I've heard Cavs' fans accuse LeBron of being a taker and not a giver. I have no idea what they're talking about. When I was a kid, my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Flintstone, talked to me constantly about work ethic. They stressed that when working, I should work hard, work fast, and most importantly give a day's work for a day's pay.

Cavs fans, I ask you—in what regard, over seven years, did LeBron ever take and not give?

I seem to remember before his arrival, the Cavs were a mediocre team, at best. When he left, while the Cavs still have no rings, they had the best record in the East and one appearance in the NBA Finals.

I also remember ALL of you cheering and high-fiving on every single one of LeBron's skywalking thunder dunks, 35-foot treys, hustling come-from-behind spectacular blocks, and game-winning shots—and yes—his chalk clap.

Yeah...LeBron caught a case or two of chokitus in the most recent Celtics' series. But I didn't notice anyone else wearing a Cavs' uniform taking the mantle of must-win from him.

And we've all heard the nasty rumor as to why LeBron's head seemed to be on another planet then. Since I don't want to get sued, the only comment I'll make is that if that rumor is true, then I don't know a man, Superman, or a even a King that could have played that part of the series, with a certain teammate, unnerved or undaunted.

Or maybe that series just proved the age old fact that every Batman needs a Robin.

CONTINUE...

Reg DeVone is co-owner/admin: Sports Jabber.

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