So, it was June 26, 2003. I had completed my first year of college about a month beforehand. My dad had just celebrated a birthday the day before. The San Antonio Spurs were crowned the 2003 NBA champions after defeating the New Jersey Nets. And now, it was time to look forward to the 2003-2004 NBA season. On this night, David Stern stepped to the podium and announced,
''With the first pick of the 2003 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select . . . LeBron James.''And just like that, the city of Cleveland had a reason to celebrate. I mean let's be serious here. People weren't necessarily saving their pennies to attend a Cleveland Indians game. The Cleveland Browns had celebrated a playoff appearance the year before, but they were still a joke. Then, here comes The King, as he affectionately became known as. Grant it, he was a high school phenom, but now it was time for him to take the NBA, actually the world, by storm at the tender age of 18. Was he ready for such a challenge? You better believe it!
I don't even need to go into detail about LeBron's career. We all know what he accomplished while in Cleveland. He was the 03-04 Rookie of the Year, 6-time All-Star, 2 NBA MVP's. And like I said, that was just while in Cleveland. He pretty much carried that team on his back. Yes, it's a huge back, but it wasn't meant to carry a whole team. Yet, that's what he did. Thanks to him, they made it to the Finals in 2007 against their current opponent the San Antonio Spurs. Of course, one man can't carry a team. Therefore, they were swept. I'm praying the Spurs win the current series as well, but I digress. Back to the story.
Anyway, what does all of this have to do with how I fell out of like with LBJ? Glad you asked. Fast forward to May 2009. The Cavs were facing the Orlando Magic in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. As had been the case so many times before, his supporting cast let him down, and they lost. No finals for the Cavs. So, what do players do at the end of a series? They shake hands with their opponent. Nope, not LeBron. He moseyed on off the court...and skipped the press conference following the game. Umm, what? Strike 1. This bothered me because I was once an athlete, and never once did we not shake our opponents hand after the game. That's just bad sportsmanship, especially since he was probably more upset with his team. Therefore, why shun the Magic? But whatever, I got over that, kind of.
Then came Strike 2. After the 2009-2010 season, it was no doubt LeBron was pretty much done with the Cavs. And I, for one, didn't necessarily blame him. Like I said, one man can't carry a team. So I, like most people, knew LeBron wouldn't return. He, along with a plethora of other players including D. Wade and Chris Bosh, were free agents. For some reason, this group of friends thought it would be fun to pretty much play games visiting teams to see who was making the best offer. The only problem is I believe that they already knew where they were headed. So, on July 8, 2010 came The Decision and the infamous phrase,
"I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat."
Listen, LeBron, all of that WAS NOT needed. I guess he thought all would be forgiven since The Decision raised money for charity. I mean, that's all fine and good and all, but no. We didn't not need to see him and that non-existent hairline sit on our tv screen and tell us what him, Pat Riley, D. Wade, and Chrissy Bosh already knew. Like I said, that was Strike 2.
THEN, before I could even get over my annoyance from The Decision, here comes the welcome party...which I was not here for whatsoever. Ugh! I just got upset thinking about it all over again. Why are you all celebrating before even playing one, single, solitary game together. Have several! And then you go on to predict not one, not two, not three....well you all know the rest. Needless to say, Strike 3. You're out, and I'm out.
I'm a HUGE basketball fan. My heart aches when my team (hey, Chicago Bulls!) lose. I love the game, and I respect great players. I'm not a Kobe fan due to his cheating ways, but there's no denying his talent. The same goes for LeBron. I respect his game tremendously. He's clearly the best in the game currently. There's no denying that. But what I'm not here for is players turning this game into a joke with their antics. Go out and play the game, and leave the theatrics for those with a SAG card.
I would love to still support LeBron as I did when he first came in the league. Here was a guy born 3 months after me (although he can pass for my great uncle) representing for young, black kids and young adults. From what I can recall, I don't remember hearing about him caught up in any mess off the court. He came in and dominated the game and still does. However, somewhere along the line, he became the type of player I love to hate...ok dislike. Maybe once he leaves the prima donnas down in Miami and joins another team, I can fall back in like with LBJ. But until then, this remains my story for how I fell out of like with LeBron James.
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