So I just got done watching this Lebron interview with Rachel Nichols and felt compelled to speak my piece. First of all, I feel as though LeBron owes NO ONE an apology. Not the city of Cleveland, Dan Gilbert, NO ONE! LeBron made a decision on his behalf in which he felt was the best move for him! LeBron was playing in a city in which growing up, teased and tormented him. A city that looked down on the city he's from (Akron, Ohio). A city that he single-handedly lifted up and provided hope and inspiration, and an influx of capitol to flow through an otherwise financially desperate city through merchandising and the consistent sold out attendance at the Quicken Loans Arena. A city that didn't really embrace him as a budding high school standout, until he had a national buzz and was a lock as the number one pick in a loaded 2003 NBA draft. LeBron made the city of Cleveland relevant in professional sports.
Too many times we see good guys who may not have the "superstar" label that LeBron has, and are loyal to an organization, get traded and all we hear from management is "It was a business decision." So when a superstar in the prime of his career makes his own business decision he becomes "The Hated One" and is viewed as greedy.
People may not agree with the way LeBron handled his decision to joining the Miami Heat, by televising it and having the network calling it The Decision. That's their business. But the TV networks that televised it could have easily said no. People also ignore the fact that the proceeds generated from The Decision went to charity.
Then there are the people who run around claiming that LeBron isn't capable of winning a title so he had to grab onto the coat tails of Dwayne Wade to win. That is the most absurd thing ever. LeBron has shown that he has what it takes to lead a team to the NBA Finals. But the turning point was in the Olympics, he got the opportunity to play alongside other superstars and realized that it's way less of a burden to carry a team when there are shoulders that are just a big as his. So decided to have that carry over to the NBA. Can you fault him for wanting to work smarter and not harder?
Now I know his performance in the 4th quarter of the NBA Finals wasn't the most prolific exhibition of LeBron's talents. But let's not undermine what the Miami Heat accomplished and how they went about doing it. They DID go to the NBA Finals while having key players (Mike Miller & Udonis Haslem) suffering from injury and did that while trying to figure how their talents can coexist, and when is the right time to put the ball in the hands of which player.
Lastly, the letter written by Dan Gilbert, the Cleveland Cavaliers owner was just a blatant demonstration of what Diddy coined as Bitchassness!! That letter sounded like a letter the ex-girlfriend of the captain of a highschool's football team would write to show that she's not affected but is obviously sitting in her room crying and eating ice cream out of the tub with a ladle.
If I can offer some words to LeBron personally, I would say "Bron, there's no need to apologize. You made a decision that you felt was best for you, and that's all that matters. Ignore anything negative that anyone may have to say whether it's an analyst, former player, writer, fan etc, because they'd love to be in your shoes. Don't sweat the people out here who may hate you, because even Jesus was hated so what chance do you think you stand. Truthfully, the only thing The Decision may have cost you is a few million "fans" who don't know you anyways. As long you didn't lose any money, Gloria, Savannah, and your boys are fine and healthy, you have no worries. Playing the role of the villain didn't suit you, so go back to playing ball the way that got you in the position you're in now and everything will take care of itself." Peace and blessing to you and yours..
Peace and Love
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