Processing LeBron

By now, every Tom, Dick and Harry knows about the "Decision" of LeBron James to go to the Heat. Much has been said as well of all the controversy and the fallout of what he has done. It makes for an interesting case study because of the economic and emotional factors involved. We all know LeBron was a local Ohio boy who was considered one of Cleveland's own. That he left them to join Miami - on international television, no less - is really one hell of a very public breakupd.

Everybody has an opinion on this, me included. Sports fans would know that Cleveland is not Boston, New York or Los Angeles in terms of championships. Why? Well, it's because they consider themselves cursed, as this article brilliantly lists. The Cavs have never won an NBA title, while the NFL's Browns last won in the 1960's. Baseball's Indians have it worse, last winning in 1948, and were two outs (two outs!!!) away from winning the World Series in 1997. So the people of Cleveland saw James as their leader, the saviour, the Next Big Hope, the Chosen One - fill in your description here. Point is, they saw him as the one who would bring them sporting glory, if only to alleviate the economic hardships that they have in that city. To be sure, he did bring much injected money and livelihood, and his loss would be felt.

For me, it's always disappointing when somebody who has been associated with a team or brand for so long leaves, especially when there was a source of conflict. It feels worse, I think, in the area of sports, since sports brings people together regardless of class or position. For sure, one team players (those who spend their whole careers with one team) are harder to find now, especially with the economic situation and "win now at all costs" mentality of so many people.

All of which goes back to LeBron. Why did he do it? What was there to gain by announcing his decision to the whole world. Initially this was compared to a train wreck - it's disgusting and terrible to look at, but you just have to slow down to take a look. He destroyed his credibility, his standing in Cleveland (probably to the rest of the NBA as well), and alienated so many people in the process by burning all those bridges. Interesting considering that the guy is only 25 years old. He's still a kid, who really still has a lot to learn about the world.

The guy was abandoned by his father, conceived by his mother at the age of 16. His closest friends were his classmates and teammates in high school, and he has a huge group of advisers and yes-men catering to his every whim. This, unfortunately, is a man who craves acceptance. Check that... he's not yet a man, though his frame and physical ability may suggest otherwise. Sure he may have garnered the world's attention with his publicity stunt, but now what? Somebody has to step in and stand up to him. If somebody in Miami can knock some sense into him, then well and good. But in my opinion, this is the cry of a person who has to fill a painful void from somewhere.

So now we wait and see what happens with LeBron. From a sports perspective everybody would want to whoop ass Miami. On a personal level, it would be interesting to see how he handles all the expectation and how he carries himself. To paraphrase Nike's tag on the person, we still are - and will be - all witnesses.