In an age when many players take the money and say that it is simply a business, LeBron James elected to leave $30 million on the table in Cleveland to pursue a championship elsewhere. Usually, winning over economics would be admirable, but many are repulsed at the "King's" lack of loyalty, particularly in Cleveland.
According to The Cleveland Plain Dealer, the situation is personal. It's more than LeBron quitting on his team. It's LeBron quitting on his hometown.
Despite resurrecting the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise during his tenure in the wine and gold, James will be remembered for bailing before finishing what he set out to do when drafted first overall in 2003. He leaves with plenty of accolades, but without delivering a title and leaving the city of Cleveland wondering what to do next. And the Cleveland residents sure are bitter.
Bill Livingston of the Plain Dealer said, "In the end, he [James] proved not good enough to win it all, even with a good supporting cast."
Livingston went on to discuss how James is incomparable to the likes of Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, both of whom remained loyal to their teams in the face of adversity.
"He wears 'Family' and 'Loyalty' tattoos on his torso. Dermabrasion, please. The sooner, the better," Livingston said.
Terry Pluto, also of the Plain Dealer, insists that James should feel a sense of shame, particularly for hosting an hour-long special and labeling it "The Decision" — a slap in the face, given other moments in Cleveland's less-than-stellar sports history (The Drive, The Move, The Shot).
James leaves Cleveland with spectacular numbers. He was a six-time All-Star, two-time league MVP and is the active leader in points per game. Yet, the big zero in the championship column yields the largest number of all; the number of decimated hearts in Cleveland tonight.
Pluto also used the word "personal" to describe James' actions, which essentially culminated with "The Exit."
Perhaps the most emphatic words used following James' decision to head to Miami, however, came from an obviously upset Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In a letter to Cleveland Cavaliers fans, Gilbert referred to James' exit as a "cowardly betrayal," and the buildup as "narcissistic." He also discussed James' "selfishness" as something that children should not be taught to learn.
In the letter, Gilbert even said, "I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before the self-titled former 'King" wins one."
With the two franchises seemingly heading in opposite directions at this juncture, such a bold proclamation validates the irrationality and undivided frustration that is looming over the city of Cleveland as a result of what transpired Thursday night.
LeBron James may only be relocating 1200 miles south, but to Cleveland fans, he's dead. Once again, perhaps, are the Cavaliers’ championship hopes.
