The slap in the face

Time for a few words on the fiasco that was LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and the fallout from the "decision".

LeBron James did nothing that he was not entitled to do.
He served his time and certainly is allowed to shop his talents and go elsewhere,if he so desired.
I have no problem with that and even though I have some problems with his decision,I am not going crazy because he left.
I do think that this was a decision that was as predetermined as an old Memphis wrasslin angle that always saw Jerry Lawler emerge with his hand in the air.
James,Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh had this in mind all along and had they been honest and spared the dog and pony show,I would likely be unhappy but not furious.
Instead a promotional effort that was a monolith of publicity for something that was already decided was in place and the end result was Cleveland being humiliated and the NBA weakened.

As far as Dan Gilbert's open letter to the fans goes,although it may have been a bit over the top,Dan Gilbert said what many felt and had the guts to say it despite the expected bashing from the national media.
It is refreshing to see an owner say what he felt instead of going through the charade of the "thanks for seven great years and best wishes" routine that most teams do.
Gilbert might have been a bit strong with the insisting that the Cavaliers will win a title before the James gang will and the Cleveland curse stuff seemed a bit silly.
That said,I give Gilbert credit for being honest and the fact that Gilbert has so much motivation to win will be a help to the Cavalier organization in the long term,although this certainly cannot be a short term positive.

The biggest question that I have over all of this is as follows-what happens to the Cavaliers when attendance falls and the money being brought in drops off accordingly?
Will Dan Gilbert decide to look for greener pastures that will be easier to bring free agents to?
One has to at least consider the possibility.

As a long time Cavalier fan,I have rarely been prouder of the team than I am today.
The best teams that the Cavaliers have ever put on the hardwood was the late 80's-early 90's teams that Michael Jordan always defeated.
Those were good,but not great teams,but were always fun to root for.
Mark Price,Brad Daugherty,Craig Ehlo,Hot Rod Williams and Ron Harper etc always seemed like good people and they played team basketball that was fun to watch.
Those teams weren't quite good enough to overcome the Bulls,but imagine if they were.
Team triumphs over the one man show would have been quite the story,except to ESPN,who would have lightweighted it somehow.
The Cavaliers are again making the commitment to being more than just LeBron James and back to being the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That may also be back to the world of mediocrity as well,but I think I'll take it.

Dealing with the NBA egos make me glad I like hockey.
Can you imagine Sidney Crosby,Alex Ovechkin and Joe Thornton getting together for something like this???

Until next time- Go Cavs and bring the original logo back while you are at it......