Check out what writers from around the Cleveland blogosphere are saying today as they try to make sense of LeBron James' decision to leave for the Miami Heat.
View full sizeLeBron James' decision to leave has left Cavaliers fans hurt and angry.Pro Basketball Talk (John Krolik of Cavs: the blog): "For the first seven years of his career, LeBron James desperately wanted to be all things to all people. He wanted to be the hometown kid who loved his town, loved his mom, but could still be a global icon. He wanted to be a team-first player while also establishing himself as a dominant individual force. He wanted to be a goofy kid and the NBA's big man on campus. After he failed to deliver a championship, his all-encompassing persona didn't work for anybody anymore. You can't please everybody all the time, especially if you don't have a championship." » Read more
WaitingForNextYear: "So what happens is we buy in and pretend that our rooting, love and adoration will mean something just a little more. But, if all else fails, we can always fall back on the idea that whatever happens with our emotions, at least it will be predictable because sports are a business. Businesses are predicated on self-preservation, desire for profits and furthering a brand. At least we can all take solace in the fact that when our standing ovations aren't enough, that it isn't really our fault because Manny Ramirez was supposed to take the contract for the most money. That is almost easier because then we can just be angry at economics. It's just business. Except when it's not." » Read more
Fear the Sword: "Gilbert thought his relationship with James was deeper than 'player/owner.' He had invited James on leadership conference last year because he knew of LeBron's desire to be a business mogul. Many of LeBron's upper-echelon business contacts came from Gilbert and that conference. Gilbert considered LeBron a partner in the Cavaliers, not an employee. In the end, LeBron broke that partnership, without so much as a reason why." » Read more
Stepien Rules: "What all this tells me is what I already know. Deep down, there's something inside LeBron James that tells him he's not good enough to win a title on his own. That he believes he can't do it. That he needs Dwyane Wade to win a title, and that any concern for his image by winning 'with somebody else' is out-weighed by his fear that he'll come up empty if he tries to go it alone. I think his camp saw that. I think they couldn't believe it. I think they hoped he'd reconsider and find enough self-esteem and pride to believe that he is the most gifted athlete to ever play this game. But instead, he chose a cowardly out at the age of 25. He didn't believe in what everyone else believed in - himself." » Read more