Letters of Intention

Back in May of 2010 the Cleveland Cavilers had just lost Game 6 of the Finals NBA….and everyone in Ohio braced for for the reality of what could be their worst nightmare…

What if this was the last game Lebron James had played in a Cleveland Caviler Jersey?

Read more : Without a Ring for Comfort

Lebron now a two time NBA Champion, two time Finals MVP, added two more Most Valuable Player trophies to his mantel, and another Olympic Gold Medal around his neck….as a member of the Miami Heat.

All the while Cleveland waits… Ohio waits.

Once again 4 wins stand between 1964 and 2015.

—-Letters of Intention—-

By: Joe Alexander

Narcissistic

Cowardly

Disloyal

Heartless

Callous

And betray, four times.

Without a ring for comfort, Cleveland Cavalier fans were left with only a disgruntled, bitter, and vengeful letter by the Cavaliers majority owner, Dan Gilbert. A letter aimed at the passionate and entitled. After LeBron James left for Miami, a city that within our own country, may be the most different from Cleveland, an outrage was witnessed throughout the fan-base. Fans burned jerseys in the streets, wrote long angry rants on message boards, and spewed toxic words of a man who played basketball in Cleveland for seven years.

Gilbert’s letter represented the most damaged and livid components of LeBron changing teams in search of championships. A fitful nightmare many were hoping to avoid. But what were Clevelanders and Cavalier fans truly spiteful over? Was it the departure or, as many purported, the way he did it? The ripple effect was so great that books were written to elaborate on his leaving. How could one man command such respect and subsequently so such hatred? Because he represented hope.

Too many Cleveland residents have an issue of self-pity. The sports, the weather, the potholes. The latter two are perennial problems that never cease. LeBron was the answer to the former. At least many saw him as such. When he decided to change job locations, a lot of Cavalier fans saw it as giving up on the city, the team, and their hopes for a championship. Though the reaction to his decision was bitter and embroiled. How dare he betray us?

The unofficial motto of Cleveland comes in many forms, but essentially it boils down to, ‘hard work pays off’ or ‘you have to be tough’. LeBron was seen as lacking these missions. But what of the fans that so eagerly dismissed him? Was that also a form of disloyalty and fickleness? LeBron signed a four year contract with the Miami Heat and promised rings. It seemed that LeBron was eager to give, just to another suitor.

LeBron was booed by countless Clevelanders and similar basketball fans looking for a villain. But what does it take to become a villain in sports? A botched play, crude comments to fans, or poor personal ethics. Certainly these traits have provided numerous fan-bases reason for dislike. But for LeBron, it was a failure to live up to a dream. A dream contributed to by millions. Dan Gilbert guaranteed a championship before LeBron got one. LeBron predicted several rings for Miami. Neither came to fruition. You cannot guarantee a dream.

When LeBron announced his return to Cleveland he did so in an open letter. Neither television show nor a build-up. Just a letter of intention that he would try his hardest to bring a dream into reality. LeBron spoke to the fact that he wishes he could’ve done things differently. Made his decision to leave in a more mature and respectful way. He says he has forgiven Dan Gilbert for his letter. That maturity often comes after it is required. And Cleveland fans have accepted him back into their graces. But is this a sign of growth or indicator of a repeated erratic nature? Have the fans also learned a lesson in loyalty and forgiveness? As LeBron embarks on his fifth straight NBA Finals appearance, he does so with Cleveland on his back. But does Cleveland truly have his?