Forever Tarnished

While LeBron James parties in South Beach with his new teammates (yes, all three of them) the city of Cleveland is distraught. They were just punched in the gut, kicked in the groin, and spit in the face at the same time. As soon as LeBron said, "I am taking my talents to South Beach" you could hear all of Cleveland collectively moan. It's not like this is the first time this has happened to the "Mistake on the Lake". They've suffered from numerous heartaches and haven't won a championship in any sport in 45+ years. And the thing is...LeBron knows this. The boy who grew up in Akron and became the "Chosen One" was thought to be the savior of Cleveland sports. Luck was finally on the city's side. Those awful memories would disappear! The Cavaliers quickly improved, made the playoffs consistently, and challenged for championships. They made the NBA Finals once (in 2007, were swept 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs) and LeBron was the captain of the ship. Things were going great. He mentioned how the city has been hurt, his knowledge of the events, his heartache for the city and how he wanted all of that to end. And then what does he do? He adds to the list of "The Drive", "The Shot", "The Fumble", the blown lead in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, and "The Move".

Now "The Decision" will be one of the most gut-wrenching moments in Cleveland sports history. The boy who understood, was one of them, would change everything...didn't. He simply said those things and then didn't back them up. And the sad thing is, he still thinks/hopes the fans of Cleveland will like him, welcome him back with open arms. Personally, I feel sorry for him. Hopefully he doesn't expect that, cause he certainly won't get that reaction. Quicken Loans Arena, or "The Q" as it is fondly known as, will be packed for the first game that number six is back in town. And he will be unmercifully booed. I just hope he is ready for it because everyone else knows it's coming.

In the end, it was about him, his legacy, and what was best for him. In a league that judges on championships, he needed (in his mind) to leave for greener pastures and win rings now. He seems to be worried about his comparison to Michael Jordan, how MJ won his first ring in his seventh season (LeBron just finished his seventh) and had quality people around him. If only he knew that what he just did will forever keep him out of that comparison. He isn't made of the same stuff that Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, and even Kobe Bryant are. As Stuart Scott mentioned on ESPN, Michael Jordan didn't go play for the Pistons when he couldn't beat them, he worked hard, buckled down, and willed his team to greater heights. He fought until he could beat them. He was loyal to his team.

While LeBron was on ESPN for an hour, stabbing his city in the heart, what was Kobe doing? Was he trying to get an hour long TV show to keep up with LeBron's popularity? No. He doesn't need that. He has five championship rings. And he wants more. Kobe Bryant doesn't need millions of people seeing his face, listening to him talk. He knows what greatness is. It's not being famous, it's working hard in the gym. LeBron thinks he's great. Kobe strives to be greater than he already is. LeBron did answer one question, "Who's better, Kobe or LeBron?" during his hour long special. A resounding "KOBE!" echoed across America Thursday night. Some had been saying it for a long time, others just realized it, but there's no doubt. Kobe makes his teammates better. LeBron looks for better teammates.

So while Miami fans celebrate, Cleveland fans cry, and ESPN counts it's money from LeBron's announcement show, I hope Mr. James didn't just set a precedent for other athletes in the future to follow. Hopefully all will see what a big storm he created and we will never see this again. Because while LeBron James, the phenom, was trying to further expand his image, win rings and be more beloved, he has, in actuality, forever tarnished his image and his legacy.