Northern Ohio is no stranger to the strife of professional sports fandom. There are well-known nicknames for the gaffes and follies of cheering on teams in Cleveland: The Fumble, The Drive, The Shot, The Decision, Game 7, Game 7 once again. It’s a pattern, and depending on your personality, it’s either fun to laughingly recount at the bar, or it’s a point of prideful pain. And boy, that pain can sting like a bullet in your chest as you bleed for your teams.
Cleveland is a proud city, but it’s also one with a sense of humor. People there can laugh about the fact that local Lake Erie once caught fire off the city’s coast. The poetic symbolism of that tragedy definitely punctuates the affair that the 216 has with its beloved sports franchises. Strong teams with tragic legacies. A city of enthusiastic fathers with disappointing sons for over three decades. And a community of fans that view narrow losses as wins sometimes. Then along came an Akron phenom named LeBron James. Wow!
But after warming Cleveland hearts and seats for years, in 2010, those hearts were trampled when the prodigal son of northeastern Ohio took his talents to South Beach. At least two jerseys (probably more) were burned, as we’ve viewed countless times in the sensational media clips. But many of us held onto our undying love for the great basketball hope that ran through the blood of the best player in the world — even if it was hidden away for a few seasons.
And LeBron returned to his roots with a sentimental letter to redeem his sins. And redeem he did. Most of the base returned to his corner in a hurry. With a loaded roster and a newly-seasoned King leading the way, those Cleveland Cavaliers won a championship (and nearly two) during a record four consecutive Finals appearances. It was glorious in Cuyahoga county. The appreciation for the greatest player of this generation only grew, even as the fans knew that he might spend his twilight years elsewhere — when LBJ Part 2 came to a close.
Cleveland had more money to offer the man. They had a sewn-together roster of misfits that were just good enough to keep taking him to the NBA Finals (even if the NBA Finals were probably a foregone conclusion against the Golden State Warriors). They had a fanbase that adored him like no other can or will ever replicate. Why would you leave that — your hometown — in the year when you’re about to turn 34? That’s around the age that many of these fans lost their virginity!
The reason obviously came down to something beyond contractual money, loyalty or winning. LeBron James is no longer just a basketball star: he’s a public figure and an international icon. And he’s embarking on the eve of the second half of his business career. Beyond money or rings, he’s now interested in the business of LeBron James, media mogul.
Hollywood offers more than just the second largest city in the nation: it offers exposure and opportunity. James wants to be in movies and online videos. He wants to mingle in the mecca of publicity. He wants to be more than an athlete — he wants to transcend basketball, the way that his predecessor Michael Jordan did in the 1990’s. Don’t be surprised when you see this man turn up in everything from film to politicking over the next four years.
Shaquille O’Neal had already been in several movies, dropped a couple rap albums, and established himself all over the public forefront by 1997. This was all before he went to Los Angeles to be a Laker. Obviously, most of that work was laughably atrocious, but it still pinned him down as an immortal figure beyond athletics. LeBron is already an icon — how much more can he do in the shiny lights of West Hollywood?
The last eight years of his career, LeBron James has been pinpoint focused on his basketball legacy. The next four will be focused on his dream of building a branded empire. Sure, he’ll still play great basketball, and he’ll still compete for championships. That’s just something in his DNA. But in his 33rd year of life, he’s now focused on the next 30 years. Nobody will dispute his greatness, even if they prefer the gilded “airness” who won six in Chicago. Now he’s ready to become LeBron James, the business. A level above the sensational hoops star.
There will be no nickname for the exodus of James this time around. It was not only anticipated, but it was almost destined. Cleveland will be sad yet again, but they will not take lighters to retail jerseys. Instead, they will quietly cheer on the man who brought a title to a city starved for a championship. Starved for something heroic to root for. Starved for an icon to deliver hope each and every year. These things can never be taken away from career fans of The King.
So march on with vigorous optimism, LeBron. You’ve earned a pass from the lion’s share of Cleveland fans. And when you sign a $1 contract with the Cavs before you retire, I’ll be standing tall and applauding like an excited seal. Because we don’t ask for much in Cleveland — and you’ve already delivered on every promise you’ve made. It does not go unappreciated.
Basketball isn’t life. Sports are not life. Life is life. And I know a person who celebrates all life when I see one. The charities, the fundraisers, and the overall philanthropy for all of Northeastern Ohio — LeBron James is a good man, and I’m damn proud to advertise him as a Cleveland/Akron native forever.
And he’s also a pretty fair basketball player from what I hear.