Cleveland Cavaliers fans must never forget the true legacy of LeBron James.
LeBron James’ impending departure brings out a lot of emotions, and for the uninitiated, a feeling of intense abandonment. It is during these times that one must keep all things in perspective. It is when things get tough that we as sports fans must count our blessings, and thank the basketball gods for giving us the specimen that is LeBron.
In certain ways, LeBron’s potential departure evokes child-like feelings, sort of like when your parents ran out to the supermarket. The second they start putting on their coat you’re on the floor screaming, begging them not to leave. Suffice it to say The J.R. Smith game 1 debacle was James “putting on his coat”.
Just 8 short years ago, LeBron left Cleveland with a gut punch, abandoning a franchise and its long-suffering fan base. This time around, (which he has every right to do) we as supporters and “witnesses” to all things LeBron must do the right thing.
We must be grateful. We must recognize what he has done for this franchise, and for this area. He took this forgotten franchise, this crumbling, collapsing rust belt city and made it into something great.
Choosing to join an upstart Los Angeles Lakers team with Magic Johnson at the elm, was an admirable decision and undoubtedly the smartest option. LeBron James has shown his immense mental prowess time and time again and will assuredly do the same this summer.
All we as fans can do is thank him for the great things he allowed us to experience. The way he soared through the air, defied time and odds, making something out of nothing at every opportunity.
His malleability, his strength, his dedication, His I.Q..
These are the things that we must acknowledge as fans. This is what we will be telling our kids about.
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We won’t remember the cold fear of abandonment as much as we will remember the warm feelings of victory.