Nearly two weeks after LeBron 'took his talents to South Beach' and nine months after I wrote
this blog, I've had time to digest the LeBacle.
Contrary to my blog in October 09 I can't root for LeBron. Not after this. Had he gone to another team - quietly - I would still own my LeBron gear, purchased the NBA package and be writing a much different blog. But instead, I'm writing this:
LeBron didn't leave a city/region - he liberated it. For seven years he held all of us captive - conning some of us, the media included, into thinking his actions were forgivable because he was one of us. Or, in the media's case, not worth reporting for fear of....what, I don't know. Driving him away? Not giving an interview? Who knows, but I don't blame them because we all fell for it.
LeBron embarrassed an entire city/region/state faster than you can say 'Gloria West' when he wore a Yankees hat to an Indians playoff game. Against the Yankees. When he refused to shake hands with the team that just whipped him. When he faked an injury and quit on his team. When he took a huge dump on his hometown and his fans - the only people who defended him against...well, everything I just said - and more.
But we're free now. And I for one would like to thank him. Thank him for:
...galvanizing an entire city/region/state to finally snap out of it and realize that it's not alright to make fun of our hometown. To mistreat it. And revitalize our pride in this area.
...reminding us to root for the uniform - no matter what.
...reminding us, as Terry Pluto says, that the millionaires shouldn't ruin our day.
...showing us what shills ESPN are.
...making Michael Jordan relevant again.
...making us appreciate Kevin Durant (you before you turned into the real you) and Kobe Bryan (although somewhat begrudgingly).
...saving me the trouble of ever buying another product you endorse.
...making an entire nation of sportswriters support Cleveland (at least for one day).
...inspiring one of the best brewery's in the country to make
yet another great beer (or so I've been told since I can't get anywhere near the place when 'Quitness' is on tap!)
...giving us someone to make fun of for the next XX years - Art Modell was played.
...inspiring what I'm sure will be very creative Halloween costumes.
...turning Cavaliers v. Heat, in Cleveland, into a circus.
...immortalizing Dan Gilbert.
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