"An Open Letter To The Man Who Would Be King"
Dear Mr. James,
Although you will never read this, I felt it would be cathartic for me to wite it anyhow.
Even though I am a lifelong Cleveland fan, I can't say I really fault you for leaving.
You see, I too grew up in an Ohio town not far from Cleveland. Like you, I was a hard-working Ohioan for years, kept my nose clean, and fulfilled my obligations. Finally, a distant better opportunity came into view for me as well. My new climate would be a big improvement, as were my perceived chances for success. In the final analysis, the opportunity to leave a dying city for a thriving one was just too difficult to pass on.
However, sometimes even our best laid plans do fail, Mr. James.
If yours should fail, you may wake up someday to find that it cost you dearly in terms of relationships. Granted, a man of your means and talent will always have a number of "friends" wherever you roam. Although nothing really compares to a first love, does it? Oh, I know, you never truly loved Cleveland. Your Yankee cap and your MVP acceptance location (twice) made that clear. But what of your beloved Akron? Many there were rooting for Cleveland sports teams long before you ever came onto the scene. Do they still adore you? What if you should help knock their Cavs from the playoffs? Will they still love you then?
By the way, I don't believe all that Mr. Gilbert wrote while venting his frustration toward you. I especially don't buy the part about winning a title before you do.
However as any Cleveland fan can attest, the hope of next season is all we have when it comes to our sports teams. You see, I was there in person at "The Drive" and also watched in agony "The Fumble", "The Shot" and even "The Blown Save". Perhaps I was hoping that having grown up amidst those same memories, you might be intent on erasing them. After all, you had always impressed me with your intelligence and maturity level, both on and off the court. Why then you would fail to thank your former employer and coworkers and seek to leave on good terms is beyond me.
I was not a firsthand "witness" to "The Decision", even though my curiousity was admittedly killing me. No matter your team of choice, your method lacked any semblance of class and reeked of ego. Some will disagree by pointing out the good done for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. However, we both know this "charitable contribution" actually came out of ESPNs advertising revenue, don't we?
Until then, I was ready to cheer for you even in say a Bulls uniform, feeling you would be taking on the ultimate challenge to the throne. It would still be YOUR team at least.
If your goal is to simply win a title or three, then you have probably set yourself up well for success. However, if your goal was to be "The King" of basketball, you totally blew it Mr. James! Instead of Cleveland or Chicago or even New York, you chose to join Mr. Wade's kingdom in South Beach. It is a place where history will reward HIS loyalty, and HE will have a chance to be remembered as the best of all time.
Even if your new dream team should surpass the number of titles won by Kobe or MJ, you'll still be one behind D-Wade! So much for your historical legacy as "The King"...
Perhaps I was simply a court jester for buying into the hype in the first place.
After all, I honestly can't imagine Bryant or Jordan playing on a team with the best record two years running and not finishing with at least one title. People can blame your supposed lack of supporting cast all they wish, but Kobe or MJ would have willed their respective teams to a title. That's just what the greatest players accomplish.
Actually, Kobe HAS claimed the current throne by virtue of his back-to-back titles.
I can understand if trying to carry an entire city on your back was more than any normal man could bear. However, it is not to much to expect from a self proclaimed king. The sad fact is that you quit on Cleveland. You deserved the boos you heard in your last game there, as well as the ones you will most certainly hear upon your return.
No self respecting king would have ever allowed his kingdom to crumble on home court like that and then just shrug his shoulders at the massacre. The only question is how long you had been planning your exit strategy. I suspect long before the clock expired.
As a lifelong Cleveland sports sufferer, I had hoped that your sense of loyalty might keep you a Cavalier for life. I reasoned, "He has stayed loyal to his high school companions even when change might benefit him". Now your once solid reputation has taken a major hit at their hands. How ironic indeed if part of your basketball legacy were to be "misguided loyalty", as part of "The Decision" to put Cleveland behind you.
Much of your life and career lies yet ahead. I wish you well, but can't bring myself to wish you luck. I guess I'm still grieving the passing of the man who would be king.
Sincerely,
A Former Fan
