That and LeBron didn't rape anybody. Or demand his hall of fame teammate be traded.
I hate to single you out Gouri, because you are a good poster. And trust me, you are NOT the only one with this opinion but...
I cannot fucking believe how fast some fans have turned on LeBron. He has resurrected NBA basketball in Cleveland Ohio. No, we did not win a title, neither have 25+ other teams in the last 5 years. We were competitive and had something to cheer about the last 7 years, which is pretty rare in Cleveland.
Now, even though he has not even left, people are already making their stump speeches and slowly turning into the "LeBron Bashers" that most of us have defended him from for years.
Jim Brown knows what he is talking about when he says LeBron is treated unfairly, its true. Cleveland fans will truly turn on anyone in the blink of an eye. I just never thought I would see the day when LeBron was the victim of this bashing.
My favorite part is how this has nothing to do with basketball anymore. Forget the Celtics are RIPPING through the playoffs and playing amazing defense and efficient offense. Forget our supporting cast disappeared due to this, forget our coach (who I supported) made some boneheaded moves, forget that his elbow quite possibly needs surgery, its all because LeBron is a baby and this was a tank job to get out of Cleveland. Yea...
Look, I'm no LBJ basher. I've always supported him. Only when he did something I found disrespectful would I speak out against him. I found his performance in this previous series to be not only subpar, but what appears to be a tank-job. This opinion has been reflected in the national media as well; that LeBron was protesting during the game by negatively altering his play. Therefore, LeBron made a deliberate decision to become ultimately less effective on the floor and it cost us a critical game. To suggest he doesn't deserve the most intense of scrutiny for his play is, in my opinion, ridiculous; particularly when during the Game 6 press conference he referred to his free agency and "team" with more emphasis than that of the game itself.
I've lost a tremendous amount of respect for LeBron, as have many others including some NBA commentators who have called him out publicly. The only difference between the national media and myself or many people who post here is that we're going to be stuck with a horrible team (because it was built around a missing piece) if LeBron leaves. Personally, I wish LeBron was more committed to Cleveland, the city and the people, rather than to himself. I'm tired of hearing about how it's his personal decision this and that, which of course it is, rather than showing an ounce of self-sacrifice and leadership and taking responsibility. Perhaps I expected LBJ to be the savior of Cleveland sports, as I think many of us have, ultimately destined to be disappointed. And of course, how silly of us to place our hopes on a kid drafted out of high school. But over the years I grew to appreciate LeBron's game as well as grow to believe he was more than what I initially thought he was, a gifted kid who probably would develop a superiority complex and forget himself.
Does LeBron owe me anything? Of course not. Does he owe his hometown anything? Depends on who you ask. Ask him, and I think he'd say no. Ask a Clevelander, and generally, I think they'd say no too. But ask me, and I'd say that LBJ should give something back to the city as should most people who have the ability to do so. Don't think so, fine, I really don't mind that attitude. I just come from a different mindset. Kind of like "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." That type of mentality. I just had my expectations unrealistically high, and now I'm back to where I thought I'd be in 2003.
But as far as bashing him, I mean, we built an entire team from the ground up for this guy. Ferry did a generally good job, Mike Brown for all his flaws is probably better than anyone on the market looking for a coaching position today (and I'm no MB fan), and we've been the #1 team in basketball two years straight. For LeBron to not acknowledge these successes in the same breath as mentioning his "team" and free agency, after Game 6 of all times, to me, is disrespectful. Disrespectful to Cleveland, to the fans, to his teammates, to Mike Brown, to Dan Gilbert, and to the game of basketball.
I won't even touch his garbage performances, or his baloney excuses, or his holier-than-thou attitude when questioned about the series.. "I think sometimes I spoil people with my play."
It's not "bashing" LBJ to call him out on this behavior. If he wants to be a deva, then okay, but don't ask for my respect while doing so. Do I want him back? Sure, sign on the dotted line. But will my kids wear a #23 or #6 jersey? Not a chance. Same reason they never have before. I don't believe LeBron gives two shits about Cleveland fans, at least, not more than his own personal image. He's not the self-sacrificing sports hero all fans crave. He's just like most other superstars - hungry for another dollar, and thirsty for personal fame.
Do I bemoan him for what I, and others, perceive to be his "lack of character?" No. But don't ask for my respect when I don't at least have yours.
MSNBC Sports said:
While in New York last week to host "Saturday Night Live," the Cavaliers' star forward caused a stir back home when he said he would root for the Yankees in the AL playoffs against the Indians.
He showed up at Jacobs Field for Game 1 on Thursday night sporting a Yankees cap and fans sitting near him chanted for him to take it off.
^ Couldn't he have rooted for the Yankees at home? He wanted the Indians to lose? I'm a Cleveland fan first, Indians fan second, a Cavs fan third, and a LeBron fan 354,232.
