Why Cleveland Cavaliers Fans Should Be Mad and Jesse Jackson Should Shut Up!

LeBron James' "Decision" has been the major sports story of the summer. Since then, the uproar by Cleveland fans, CAVS owner Dan Gilbert's rant and recently Rev. Jesse Jackson's charge of racism toward Gilbert has message boards and sports phone lines hopping. 

Are Cleveland fans justified in their anger, was Dan Gilbert blistering condemnation against James warranted?  And is Jesse Jackson's racist charge verifiable? 

Let's take a look a look at the facts.

In the world of sports, Cleveland fans are truly suffering, with no major sports titles since 1964 and a long record of heartbreak from all their teams. 

The Browns are the last team to claim a major title in '64 and since then there's been the interception, the drive, the fumble, the move, and a long list of bad draft choices and a rotation of coaches, quarterbacks spinning faster than a windmill in a tornado.

The Indians too can boast of lost chances; the catch in '54, the decades of mediocrity, the 9th inning collapse in '97 to the Marlins, blowing a 3-1 ALCS to Boston in '08 and lost Cy Young winners. 

The Cavs too have flirted with greatness, the team of the '90's of Nance, Price, and Daughtery took second fiddle to superstar Jordan and his shot over Ehlo. 

However, with the arrival of homegrown superstar LeBron James, hope rose with MVP titles and league-best records.  Cleveland fans sincerely believed that James could get the city its first major title in nearly 45 years. 

In the back of CAVS fans' minds, there was always the fear that as with most CLE superstars that he would go to greener pastures and better opportunities away from the cold, rust belt, "mistake by the lake" legend of Cleveland. 

This past Thursday, Clevelanders' worst dream came true as LeBron announced his decision to go join superstars Bosh and Wade in the sunshine of South Beach. 

Following that has been indignation, name calling, shirt burning, and basically a major temper tantrum from many.   Too many Cleveland fans seemed spoiled and out of touch with reality, getting knocked for their childish behavior, and some of that is warranted. 

Following ESPN's special as LeBron let the cat out of the bag, came arguably the strongest letter written by a major sports owner against a former player grilling LeBron, his decision and his character and his letter is a written form like that of an on the field explosion worse than a Lou Pinella tirade.

All this leads to much discussion from NBA and sports fans around the nation.  Then, just two days ago, a controversial reverend who gets media attention chimed in calling Gilbert racist.  What's the deal?

1. CLEVELAND FANS HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ANGRY

Why? Not so much Lebron's leaving, but how he did it.  CAVS fans poured their heart out hoping their superstar wouldn't leave their declining city and was seen as a sign of hope. 

Cleveland fans know what it's like to lose superstars; CC, Cliff Lee, Boozer, Manny, Sexton, Belle, Thome, and others have left.

Why the uproar over LeBron?  It just wasn't that he went to Miami, but that CAVS fans belive he has been planning the superstar trio for months, hanging loyal Cleveland fans out to dry.

Even Bosh admitted Friday that this has been in the works for months and evidence points that their reunion has been in the works since the Olympics of '08, yet Lebron hid that reality, giving fans hope, false hope.  

Whether his idea or not, James then made a spectacle of it, going on National TV in Connecticut to announce it, to many loyal and dedicated fans, this was a public dump!  

It wasn't as if CLE didn't have a competitive team or James was adequately compensated. CAVS fans know that they can't draw FA's to CLE like Miami. 

CAVS fans saw James going for titles not through a team effort, but by drawing superstars together in a scenerio they can never match.  

Yes, CLE hurts like a jilted lover left alone at the wedding altar! 

Then the media chimes in that the virtuous James is taking a pay cut. However, this is really a smoke screen.

What's a few millions less to a person with hundreds of it, and we all know that endorsements are the real treasure of superstars, and James believed that he would have better chances in Miami surrounded by superstars and better shots at titles. 

To Cavs fans, James seemed more interested in his personal glory with titles even though he might be No. 2 than being a loyal to his child home town.  

2. DAN GILBERT DOES HAVE A RIGHT TO VENT

However, his letter was over the top and he should of spent more time cooling off before venting.   Contrary to ignorant sports fans who rip on him, Dan did everything possible to keep LeBron a Cavalier. 

He mortgaged future Draft picks with FA's to win now, he tried to lure Robin to help Batman, but CLE, like other cold weather cities isn't friendly to Pippen like side kicks via FA.

True, he should of called James on the carpet for tanking in key games, but it appears that appeasement might of kept James in CLE, more than accountability.  

He did bring in key FA's, contrary to posters who sound as ignorant of NBA Basketball as Americans knowing much of the World Cup beyond Team USA. 

Dan rallied to bring in A. Jamieson, Shaq, West, Mo Williams and others, he tried to lure Redd, Boozer and as late as Wednesday was trying to reel in Bosh, only to discover....well the trio's plan. 

Then comes the news that James on ESPN will have his own special, like we're watching the NCAA Selection show.  James doesn't have the decency or maturity to phone Dan and in professionalism, share his decision.

True, James owes CLE and DAN nothing, but in sportsmanship and decency, he could of been a gentleman and shared with Dan his decision before the National "Circus." 

He then shares "He loves the Heat." Does he love the Heat or the chance to win titles there? 

Dan did over react, but only after being jilted like a guy who spends his last penny for his dream prom date, only to get dumped after arriving at the dance.

3. IN COMES REV. JESSE JACKSON

Instead of serving people in a pulpit and in their needs or being a father to his many children from various women, Jesse pulls his stunt of chiming in, when he knows little or nothing.

To many Americans including me, Jesse's plays his race card for photo ops and his own benefit, and then rips on the loyal Dan Gilbert using his sickening line of being a racist.

This is pure bull, understanding Dan's circumstance, his rant had nothing to do with racism, it had to deal with being played like an old piano and strung along by a superstar, who needs to grow up and act a like MAN fitting of his talents. 

Dan has been nothing, but gracious and supportive to all no matter their race, creed, or sexual orientation and did nothing but try to bring a title in a city whose majority is African American.

Heck, he admired and even hired an African-American coach.  So Jesse, get in a pulpit and speak, and SHUT UP about things you know nothing!   

Yes, some CAV fans have been immature and childish and Gilbert needed to show more tact and intellect in his letter, however, CLE's pain is real, deep and in most ways justified and warranted. 

Whether James get his titles or not, he left a city that embraces its own and their display is that more of a jilted lover than a spoiled child. 

Right or wrong, James is an outcast and seen in the likes of former Browns owner, Art Modell, who moved the Browns out of CLE.   James may one day realize that rings are won by champs, not arranged by an overwhelming number of superstars.

James may realize that glory is fleeting, superstars are forgotten, but loyalty and dedication is admired and rewarded by fans of a lifetime, just go ask former CLE superstar Bob Feller!