Good Riddance LeBron

In my last post about the Cavs, I wrote how LeBron didn’t have enough left in the tank to beat the Celtics.  To me it appeared something was definitely wrong with him.  And to make matters worse, his lack of focus and itensity carried over to the teammates he was supposed to be leading.  For the past two months, as Head Coach Mike Brown was fired and GM Danny Ferry quit, the mystery of what changed this once-dominant team became more and more puzzling.  But with LeBron’s self-absorbed ESPN 1-hour special to announce his departure to Miami, it all became clear: LeBron quit in the playoffs after already deciding his Cavaliers tenure was over.

It’s all so obvious now.  LeBron had been colluding with Wade and Bosh for months (if not years, dating back to their meetings at the 2008 Olympics) to take less money in order for all three to sign with the Heat in 2010.  There’s just no way this was an overnight decision like Lebron wants everyone to believe.  Superstars don’t decide overnight they’re each leaving $15-$30 million on the table to get the Heat under the salary cap.  And then there’s this: Miami blew up their roster down to only 1 player before the trio’s annoucement this week, and the Heat weren’t even worried they were taking a risk!  LeBron didn’t care about beating Boston.  In his mind he was already gone. 

LeBron is a disgrace, a fraud, and a phony.  Not because he left town–any free agent has the right to do that.  Rather, it’s because he took fans in Cleveland, New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Chicago, through his free agency spectacle despite knowing all along he was heading to Miami.  It’s because he duped ESPN, the worldwide leader of shame, into paying him for his 1-hour scripted announcement.   But worst of all, it’s because he quit on his teammates, coaches, and his own hometown in the middle of a playoff run.

Looking forward, Cleveland will be fine.  It’s still a great city.  And it’s survived much worse.  And personally I’m thrilled LeBron is gone before Alan is around to see this.  But I do still want my son to know about the story of LeBron.  It provides a valuable lesson to kids on the importance of looking towards family and teachers, not spoiled celebrities, to find true role models.  And it speaks to the importance of values such as community, loyalty, humility, and honesty.  Because when you don’t have these core values, you’re not even welcome in your own hometown.  Just ask LeBron.