[Note: I started this right after the announcement, but long days at work have gotten in the way of finishing until tonight]
As someone who follows sports pretty closely, I feel compelled to write something on the recent Lebron decision to leave Cleveland and take his talents to South Beach. In full disclosure, since Lebron timed his announcement right during my dinner plans with Sarah for her birthday, I didn't actually see the coverage live but saw plenty of highlights after the fact. There are several things that annoyed me about the whole situation. I respect his right to move to a different team, but his execution was all wrong. The whole thing was handled pretty poorly by Lebron's PR team. Since his PR team is basically Drama and Turtle from Entourage (friends from back home), I guess it's not too surprising.
The key thing that really pushed this over the edge for me was the hour long TV special on ESPN. When Lebron's camp sold this idea, they didn't seem to realize that this would be interpreted as a slap in the face to Cleveland. Lebron didn't show any empathy for the Cleveland fans who have basically worshiped him for 7 years, or show any loyalty to his team. It was like going to a fancy dinner with your long time girlfriend and then getting on one knee and proposing to the girl you met last week (all on national TV). Plus, did they really need the whole hour for what amounted to about about a five minute announcement. Kevin Durant just issued a press release. When you refer to yourself in the third person several times, the whole thing screams narcissism right at you.
The other big question is in the long run will it all mean that much? Joining another Top 3 player who has already won a championship certainly won't help his legacy. As many have noted, this is something Michael Jordan would never have done. How much it means in the end will depend a lot on what happens over the next several years. If Miami wins a bunch of championships, then the reaction to all this will fade and basketball fans will remember the Heat as a dynasty. The more interesting thing will be if this Heat team doesn't win for a couple of years or at all. Then the media will pile on Lebron for leaving Cleveland and not even winning a championship. It will be a lot like the Tiger Woods situation right now. The longer Tiger doesn't win, the bigger the story of his fall from grace. In the end, I think it will be an interesting NBA season next year and it will be fun to cheer against Lebron.
Enjoy some Anti-Lebron t-shirts.
