Conversations with Marva

A Bone To Pick

I’ve said a thousand times here that I love the game of basketball. With that said, this has to be one of the saddest days of the game that I’ve ever witnessed. LeBron James, my favorite player, has dumped the Cleveland Cavaliers, my favorite team, to head for promises of championships rings and beach front property.

This doesn’t feel like it’s fair. Remember when Shaq left the Magic back in ’96? I have never liked the Orlando Magic, even when Shaq was breaking backboards and making everyone else look 2 feet tall. So when he left, so did I. And when Shaq left the Lakers in 2004, I followed him to Miami. And on to Phoenix. And finally, finally, he was on a team that I actually liked. The Cleveland Cavaliers. Shaq leaving the Magic didn’t feel like a betrayal by him for riches and the sun of Los Angeles (even though it was, in every way); LeBron leaving Cleveland feels like he sucker punched every fan that loves the Cavaliers squarely in the throat.

And when KG left Minnesota for Boston? I cheered for him, and so did the fans of Minnesota. You see, KG had given Minnesota everything he had. It was a fruitless effort, and his time had come to see if he could get a ring somewhere else. The fans, myself included, never blamed KG for his decision. Mostly because every night he left everything out on the floor. He brought it every game, and that could only result in unadulterated respect and admiration.

This thing with LeBron, though? In the playoffs of this past year, he gave up. I tried and tried to think of every other way to say it than that, but he did. His mind was made up when he didn’t see any chance of winning. That is the biggest bullshit move I’ve ever seen anyone pull. And this is coming from someone who lifted him higher than the other superstars who had a piece of jewelry that showed the world they were great.

I’m pissed off. My feelings are hurt. As of right now, I can’t understand why. Oh, it will wear off once football season starts and I can begin to focus my attention on Donovan McNabb and the Redskins; but now? Now it just smells like the biggest pile of shit ever. I love DWade, have even cheered for Miami (see Shaq). I will continue to cheer for them. I hope they are able to work this triumvirate into something magical.

I just won’t be rushing out to buy a James #6 Heat jersey.

About This LeBron Situation…

Everyone that knows me knows how much I like LeBron James. I have watched his career ever since ESPN took to showing his high school basketball games on their channel. More than that, I have been a Cavs fan since the days of World B. Free. Put the two together, and I was in basketball heaven.

For the past seven years though, that heaven has had a cloud over it. No championships, no rings, no Black Mamba vs. The King games…my heart sank every year. Maybe this makes me a true Cleveland fan, as those of us who love them, watch them, root for them know the pain that we feel in our hearts when the team comes up empty. This year, however, the pain is a little different, a little deeper, a little more nerve-racking.

This year, in July specifically, LBJ will let the world know where he is going to spend the next years of his career. It doesn’t look good, Cavs fans…it doesn’t look good. Especially if you believe the story about one of his teammates smashing his moms.

Look, I’m not here to argue yes or no on that rumor…and it is still just a rumor. My heart says he will stay, but my head says he’s going away. And once again, there will be knife in my heart where pride and joy should be. Once again, Cleveland will lose.

I don’t live in the city, so I can’t attest to the atmosphere. I imagine that folks are walking around slowly, with their heads hanging down low, because they fear what is going to happen. I imagine a lot of cloudy days and rain, with an occasional strong wind that could possibly knock someone over.

That strong wind is LBJ. He can make or break this city with his decision. That is not such a good thing. No one should have that much invested in one person…but I understand. I understand the attachment, and I will feel heartbroken if LBJ decides to leave. But just as my love for Shaquille O’Neal has led me from Orlando to Los Angeles to Miami to Phoenix to Cleveland, I will eventually come around and root for the team he is on. Because you can’t ignore the talent and skill of LeBron James. Even if you hate him, you still have to admit that he’s pretty good.

I just want him to be pretty good in Cleveland.