Miami Thrice - As we all know, earlier this week, LeBron James announced his plans in front of a live audience. His decision? The 2-time reigning MVP shocked the world and announced his early retirement from the game of basketball to pursue competitive eating...At least that's what I was hoping for. Instead James is added to the Miami mix that refuses to stop concocting. That's right, get the lube ready, LeBron is joining Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh for a Miami threesome. Just days into free agency, the Heat have already formed what looks to be the biggest thing to hit South Beach since Hurricane Wilma in 2005 as all three superstars have made Miami their destination for many years to come. LeBron said himself that the major factor in his decision was the best opportunity for him to win both now and in the future by teaming up with D-Wade and company.
By pulling the unthinkable and ditching Cleveland, LeBron's decision was so devastating it would make Drew Carey want to commit suicide. If you ask me, I think he took the safe way out considering the fact that he hasn't been able to get off the hump and add an NBA tittle to his trophy case. It's like the saying goes, 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em' and that's exactly what James did. But as his chances of finally winning a tittle increase, his popularity and image take a blow. How did the Cavs organization and fans take LeBron's decision in leaving his home town in hopes of having a better chance at winning a ring? Let's just say it didn't sit well with the Ohio fan base as footage of fans yelling, crying and even torching a James jersey was all caught on tape moments after he made his commitment to play in Miami public.
Controversy now comes into play as Cavs owner Dan Gilbert took a different approach by describing LeBron's decision as "selfish, callous, and cowardly betrayal." Gilbert also guaranteed Cavs fans that the team will win a championship before the self-titled 'King' wins one. Talk about a low-blow, right? Gilbert also accused LeBron of quitting in the Playoffs and added, "Watch the film, the evidence is there."
Upon receiving word of Gilbert's hand-typed letter, LeBron continued to say Ohio still has his heart. But after having their hearts ripped out, the Ohio faithful say they don't want his heart. With that being said, I think it's safe to say LeBron is now the most hated and unwelcome man in all of Ohio. However, the fans of Cleveland are no stranger to heartbreak as they've been down this road before when Art Modell, owner of the Cleveland Browns moved the team to Baltimore in 1996. What I'd like to know is why Gilbert is so upset about LeBron turning down his offer when he accused the man of quitting? Why would you want to bring back a quitter to your team? Also, what makes Gilbert so confident that his team will win a championship any time soon if they've been yet to win one in the teams first 40 years of existence, not to mention when they had a superstar like 'King James' on the roster?
However, the shots at his former All-Star player didn't stop there. For what it's worth, Gilbert who owns the sport memorabilia company 'Fathead', slashed the price of LeBron's wall graphic decal from $99.00 to $17.41. 1741 Just so happens to be the birth year of Benedict Arnold who is known famously as a traitor for turning his back on the Continental Army to join the British Army.
Prior to LeBron's hour-long ESPN special, the Cavs were close to selling out their season tickets for next year, when fans thought there was no chance their hometown hero would abandon them. Meanwhile in Florida, within hours of receiving news that LeBron was Miami bound, the Heat sold out what was left of their season tickets. Other than the Cleveland fans who bought season tickets, the person I feel for the most is newly hired head coach Byron Scott who will now be in charge of a LeBron-less Cavs team that was irrelevant prior to James' arrival in 2003. It was obvious LeBron wasn't fully dedicated and loyal to his native Ohio when he showed up to an ALDS game in Cleveland wearing a Yankees lid when the Indians were facing the much hated New York ball club. But with the one they once cheered for and loved now on opposite sidelines, it'll be one hell of an atmosphere when the two teams meet in Cleveland for the first time next season.
After Heat president Pat Riley worked his magic, no man had it made better than D-Wade who not only gets to remain in Miami where he's played his entire NBA career, but doing so with the acquisition of two All-Star caliber players. By re-signing Wade and adding Bosh and James, the Heat have landed not one, not two, but all three of this offseasons biggest attractions. Taking that into account, the Heat are now the team everyone loves to hate, as their additions have painted a target on their back. Las Vegas casinos immediately announced the Heat as the favorites to win it all next season surpassing the reigning back-to-back NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. But if that didn't add enough hype to the Heat winning a tittle next year, LeBron's rally-cry should do the trick. Upon being introduced in a Heat jersey similar to how Shaq was in 2004, James put the weight of the world on his teams shoulders as he said the Miami-three don't plan on winning one NBA tittle, but instead plan on winning 8 NBA tittles. Those are some mighty words coming from someone who's yet to win one...
If and when LeBron does win a tittle with his new cast of players, he will no longer be "the man." And as long as he's in Miami alongside Wade and Bosh, what James fails to prove is that he can be among the game's greats and win a championship as a leader instead of just another piece to the puzzle.
In the aftermath of his rant, Dan Gilbert was fined of coarse by commissioner David Stern for his comments, a whopping $100K. Cleveland fans seemed to have his back in the whole James debacle and offered to help pay the fine. As for his teams offseason, let's just say things haven't gone their way as they've been yet to sign a key player to add to their puzzle. As for the Heat, since the signing of their big three, the team has gone on a shopping spree by adding LeBron's buddy in Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, guard/forward Mike Miller, veteran Power forward Juwan Howard, and re-signing PF Udonis Haslem. The Heat made a little bit more cap space by practically getting rid of their second overall pick just two seasons ago -- Michael Beasley for peanuts (2011 and 2014 second-round draft picks). It's not yet known if the Heat are done making moves this offseason, but even the retired Penny Hardaway wants in on the action and would like to play a part in the Heat's newly constructed All-Star team.
The question I'm pondering is, who's team is it now that there's an even bigger star in town, LeBron's or D-Wade's? Sorry Bosh.
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