by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
LeBron James was in Miami, eating at a restaurant with his best friend, Maverick Carter. Inside the restaurant there were roughly 30 Cleveland Browns fans who decided to taunt James during dinner. The group started chanting the word "traitor" over and over again at James until they were asked to leave. After they left the restaurant, the group even waited outside for James to leave with his friend. Using wise judgment, James left out a side entrance to avoid a confrontation.
I'm not sure why LeBron's case has stood out so readily for Cleveland sports fans. He's not the first player to leave a team to take another deal. He's also the guy who gave seven years of his heart to the city of Cleveland. To some extent, Cavs fans are reminding LeBron of his greatness when they cling onto him like a long lost parent. If he were a mediocre player, they wouldn't be nearly this emotional.
1 comment:
It's not just that he left, but the obnoxious manner in which he did. Add to that the general perception that he quit in the playoffs against Boston (possibly because he had already decided to leave), and you're left with a bad taste in your mouth as a Cleveland fan. LeBron James is obviously a very good basketball player, but the great ones take a team and make it theirs. LeBron made "The Decision" that he wasn't up to the task and ran away...
We thought he was better than that.
Post a Comment