LeBron James and the Decision: One Year Later

Pretty much since the day I was born I have been a Cleveland sports fan. It wasn't something my father forced upon me like so many dads try to do with their kids, but rather something that I wanted to be even though I was born and raised in Western PA, the heart of Stillers country.

I'm a little too young to have experienced firsthand, or at least remember, the many heartbreaks connected with Cleveland sports in the 1980s, but thanks to both my father and ESPN Classic, I'm well versed in those epic letdowns and they no doubt serve as the roots for my undying allegiance to Cleveland sports, a loyalty which has only intensified and caused me more pain as I've grown up and gotten older.

I was heartbroken when that bastard Art Modell took the Browns away in 1996 and rejuvenated when they came back in 1999, then quickly sick again when the Steelers pasted them 43-0 in their very first game back, and ultimately even more crushed after they blew a late 31-13 lead against those same ugly colors three years later in the playoffs.

Likewise, I faithfully endured those first-round exits and dismal seasons by the Cavs during the Jordan-era. I've paid my dues as a Cleveland sports fan and I'm as scarred as they come.

Yet, none of those memories cut as deeply as what transpired a year ago today, the night LeBron James shamelessly went on national television and stabbed an entire fan base, organization and city in the back with his decision to take his considerable talents to South Beach.

For me, that was the low point of my time as a Cleveland sports fan and something I'll never forget or forgive. A year later, it still makes me sick to think that once upon a time I actually rooted for—and defended—the self-annointed King.

Now understand, it's not just because of "the Decision" that I'll forever despise LeBron as an athlete and root for him to fail in every way possible on the court for the rest of his career. Sure, it was tasteless and awful and ridiculous in just about every aspect, but really that was just the cherry on the pie. No, I don't loathe him solely because of "the Decision"—I loathe him because of how he went out as a Cavalier on the basketball court.

Outsiders can say what they want, but James' bags were packed well before July 8 of last year. He knew there was really no way he could justify leaving Cleveland for South Beach if the Cavs made a legit run at the Finals in 2010, so he quit.

He set the stage with his phantom elbow injury in the first round of the playoffs against the Bulls, then eventually checked himself out in the second round against the Celtics. Anyone that disputes this claim is either lying to himself, works for ESPN or just didn't follow the NBA or James' career with any regularity.

It was truly one of the most bizarre performances I've ever seen from a superstar athlete. We were all witnesses, and I'll maintain to the day that I die that James threw in the towel and quit on his team and the city of Cleveland.

In the end, losing LeBron James to South Beach last summer only intensified my passion for the city of Cleveland and their sports' teams. It takes character and resiliency to be a Cleveland fan, which are two things the Chosen One clearly lacked. People can crack on Cleveland all they want. I'm proud to be a Cleveland sports' fan and I wouldn't change it for anything.

So happy anniversary, LeBron James. I'm glad you no longer play for my favorite NBA team and I hope you never win a championship.