I see some people who are being critical of Cavs fans. Was there a lot of anger and frustration after the decision? Of course. Just like there is a lot of anger in Miami as we see Heat fans burning his jerseys. But you better believe they would welcome him back.
Are the Cavs fans being hypocrites?
Is it ever ok to forgive someone? Is it ever ok to be mad or disappointed at someone and after several years to get over it?
What were the Cavs supposed to do? Pass on the best player in the world?
The naysayers arbitrarily pointing at the hypocrisy of Cavs fans, and, as a result, suggesting that the Cavs and their fans shouldn’t have wanted LeBron back out of principle has absolutely no merit and is utter nonsense.It’s certainly in the best interest of the team, but it’s also good for the economy of the city of Cleveland and it’s in the best interest of civic pride. Frankly, even if you were still bitter about LeBron, not wanting him back on the Cavs would make no sense.
LeBron is the difference between the Cavs being a team probably who would not be good enough to make it to the playoffs into a favorite to win the NBA Championship.
In LeBron’s letter in Sports Illustrated, he said:
But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react?
By the man’s own admission, he made mistakes. He didn’t always have the best perspective.
How does forgiving make you a hypocrite? The people who say this aren’t saying it because of any true sense of moral high ground. They’re saying it because they’re against the Cavs (or an Ohio team) being successful. Any fanbase of any other city would welcome back a superstar who had left. The Decision was four years ago this week. How were Cavs fans supposed to react to LeBron going on national television and saying he was taking his talents to south beach?
The Cavs fans I know eventually moved on. They might not have been in the LeBron James fan club over the past four years, but it’s not like all Cavs fans in Ohio have been seething with rage for the past four years. In thir heart of hearts, I think a lot of Cavs fans were probably happy to see LeBron win a ring in Miami. Even if it was a bit more bitter than sweet.
Dan Gilbert was extremely harsh toward LeBron when he left. Again, it was a strong reaction in a very difficult situation. People can apologize and people can forgive.
Professional athletes receive criticism from fans from one season to the next and from one bad performance in a decisive game. And then the next year, when that player is the hero again, all of the struggles seem forgotten. Why is it so shocking that Cleveland would want LeBron?
The opening paragraph in LeBron’s letter gave me chills:
Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me,” James said. “I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.
I’m not going to pretend to be the biggest Cavs fan but I am a fan of any Ohio team, and I’m very excited to see him coming back to the Buckeye State. I’m happy for my friends who are Cavs fans.
jrb
Josh Benner 