So, it’s the night before “The Decision” is broadcast live on ESPN. In fact, as I write this post, it’s about 24 hours away. That’s right, one day before Life After the Summer of Free Agency (which really lasted less than one week) begins - I’m in a contemplative mode.
It’s sort of like sitting in the hospital emergency room waiting to find out if someone you’ve watched grow up for the past seven years is going to live or die - like right after a horrible accident. Your first concern is will he even survive. Then you wonder, if he does survive, what will he be like? Will he be so maimed and disfigured by the ordeal that he would be better off dead.
Actually, the more you contemplate the coming years, you begin to wonder if you’d be better off if he died, too. Why? Because your life could turn out to be a living hell looking after him for the remainder of your time together.
That’s how I’m feeling about LeBron tonight.
Damn - I want him to stay. I want him to stay so Cleveland fans can root for their team, a team that has a chance to win a championship. Readers of this blog know that I want to attend at least one championship parade in C-Town before I die. Right now, the Cavs are my best shot at getting my wish.
However, more importantly, I want him to stay just for the physique of this city. If LBJ pulls a “Boozer” on us, our Cavs will probably become “pretenders” immediately. Who knows when we’ll be considered “contenders” again. We’ve gone through that before, we’ll survive.
So, that will be bad - but the psychological impact on this region will be even more devastating. This city is already the butt of jokes on a daily basis. This region has a major problem with it’s self esteem. Now, if we can’t even keep one of our own favored sons at home - even with the prospect of being able to pay him significantly higher dollars - then we’re in trouble. Not to mention that the snide comments and vicious jokes will pour down like rain from the heavens on this city struggling to get back up on it’s feet again.
On the flip side, if he does decide to stay, what will he be like? What will he do? Over the last several weeks he seems to have changed. He’s suddenly on Twitter. He has revived his long dormant website. He’s going to spend an hour on ESPN talking about his decision - with that moron Jim Gray, no less.
And I still can’t forget about the way he quit in the Boston series!
So, I’m not sure what we’ll be getting if he decides to stay. Will it be that driven, motivated high powered super athlete we’ve cheered for over the last seven years? Or will it be that self absorbed, tell me again how awesome I am, ego maniac that has been appearing on my TV screen lately.
And I still can’t forget how he quit on his teammates (and us) during the Boston series!
So, yeah, I’m contemplative tonight. Do I want him to stay or would it be best if LBJ took his act somewhere else?
I’ll be sitting in this emergency room for the next 24 hours or so pondering just that - waiting to see what is going to happen. If he survives (stays) then I’ll be happy and start looking forward to his full recovery in time for training camp in the Fall.
If he doesn’t pull through (leaves), then I’ll be depressed for a few days. Yeah, I’ll be bummed out. I’ll have to brace myself for more anti-Cleveland talk and probably won’t watch sports on TV for the next several weeks.
However, I’ll pull through and so will all of us.
When I hear about his decision (No - I will not watch this debacle) I’ll holla no matter what LBJ tells us — but remember, sometimes it’s better for everyone if the patient dies. Time heals all wounds, even this one.
Dad
(view comments)
