It’s been almost four months since LeBron James was a free agent for about a week, before choosing to sign with the Miami Heat. Since then, like every fan of the Cavaliers, I have gone through a whole host of emotions about the situation, about LeBron himself, and about his choice to play on another team, with different players, in a new city.
Over time, I have come to appreciate the greater implications of “The Decision” - which despite all of its flaws in terms of its execution - was a groundbreaking moment in sports history, specifically in the way that it shifted the balance of power between players and owners (read: the bosses and the employees; if there’s one thing I am, it’s anti-authoritarian). In the past, every owner assumed their guy would re-sign because they could offer the most money. Now, every agent only needs to mention “LeBron” or “The Decision” and management is in a panic (see: Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul).
What this means to fan bases all over the country is something else entirely, and I realize it may very well have deeply negative effects. If fans sense that players aren’t “loyal” to the teams that control their rights, fans may lose interest over the long haul. Personally, I don’t know that this is a bad thing for the country - caring a little bit less about our sports teams, dropping the life or death attitude, for one that is more geared towards enjoyment and appreciation could be very healthy.
Having said all of that, the big question that’s been loitering in between the front and the back of my mind since July 8th has been the following: How will I feel the first time I see LeBron playing a regular season game for the Heat?
Initially, I was pretty certain that I would gain a great deal of pleasure from rooting against Miami the entire regular and deep into the playoffs. Gradually, however, as I’ve spent some time thinking about why we root for players and teams at all, my opinion has changed. I won’t know for sure until tonight, when the Heat play the Boston Celtics on TNT, but I feel comfortable going ahead and wagering right now that the exact opposite will happen.
I will root for LeBron James.
The thing about LeBron is that whether he was wearing a Cavaliers or not, he would have been my favorite player in the NBA. He is a remarkable athlete, a once-in-a-generation type talent, who rebounds, scores efficiently, and passes exceptionally. He plays a team game - most of the time, at least - and when it comes to sheer memorability, no one in the league is capable of producing highlights on a possession-to-possession basis like LeBron is.
Make no mistake about it, LeBron is one of the all time greats. That is something I will always be able to admire and respect. Greatness is a trait that inspires me. It is a quality I can cheer for.
When I think back on the 7 years during which LeBron played for the Cavaliers, I can only remember them fondly. I will never forget game 6 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. I will always remember leaping into the air in a bar in Roswell, Georgia when he hit the nearly half court shot against Orlando in 2009, right before I turned 30. And how could I forget the endless conversations I had with Lakers fans in LA about who was the better player, LeBron or Kobe? I spent a lot of energy defending LeBron - and earned a lot of headaches along the way.
I won’t pretend that there aren’t bad moments and memories, as well. Most of 2010’s Eastern Conference Semifinals against Boston, for example. LeBron’s constant hemming and hawing about free agency, tantalizing fans in New York City while torturing those of us in Cleveland. But when you spend 7 years watching someone’s every move from afar - especially when that person is between the ages of 18 and 25 and is supremely rich and famous - there are bound to be moments of imperfection.
Truthfully, I love basketball. I love the Cavaliers. And I couldn’t help but become emotionally invested in LeBron as a basketball player, especially since I was watching him play at a time that I was also learning a whole lot about the game. It was maybe a bit immature, probably a little unhealthy, and it definitely cost me a load of free time - 82 games per year at 2.5 hours per game adds up to 8.5 days, not to mention all of the hours Tim, DAD, and I spent writing and talking about the Cavaliers.
When it comes down to it then, when I see LeBron on the floor tonight, I don’t think I have it in me to root against him. I’ve given him too much already as a fan. And he gave me a lot as a player. One moment, one decision, and a different jersey on his back are not enough for me to turn against the man, not when I greatly admire the way he plays basketball.
Be pissed at me if you want, but I can’t do it. I can’t root against LeBron James.
On the contrary, I’ll actually be rooting for him to do something historically great this year and in the years to come.
*Mike*
