King James Gospel
Fansided

The 2nd Post-LeBron Era: Comparing 2011 to Now

By Doug Patrick

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James (23) reacts after hitting a three-point shot late in the game over the Celtics Jayson Tatum (not pictured) to give Cleveland a 107-96 lead, on their way to a 109-99 victory. The Boston Celtics visited the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game Six of their NBA Eastern Conference Finals playoff series at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH on May 25, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James (23) reacts after hitting a three-point shot late in the game over the Celtics Jayson Tatum (not pictured) to give Cleveland a 107-96 lead, on their way to a 109-99 victory. The Boston Celtics visited the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game Six of their NBA Eastern Conference Finals playoff series at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH on May 25, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 15: A detail of LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers jersey during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 15, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 15: A detail of LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers jersey during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 15, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Cavaliers second Post-LeBron era has begun:

On July 1st, Klutch Sports announced via Twiter the King’s decision to take the throne in Los Angeles-shire. LeBron’s second reign in Cleveland is officially over. The Cleveland Cavaliers are without their greatest player of all time.

So… what happens now?

Let’s kick it off with a little blast to the past.

The Lyin’ King:

Here’s how the story went last time LeBron left:

On July 8th, 2010, James sat in a Boys & Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut during his infamous TV special, The Decision. There, he officially took “his talents to South Beach.” Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert then soon published an angry breakup letter to the team’s website—written in comic sans font—where he berated James and promised Cleveland a title before the superstar won his.

Cavs fans burned their no. 23 jerseys. They booed no. 6 relentlessly whenever he came home. They held signs that read The Lyin’ King because LeBron hadn’t brought a championship home to Cleveland like he promised.

Without James, the 2010-2011 Cavs were dismal. Antawn Jamison led the team in points per game (18), Mo Williams in assists (7.1), Anderson Varejao in rebounds (9.7), and Daniel “Boobie” Gibson in spirit (110%). They went 19-63 and set a record 27-game losing streak that season.

Meanwhile, down in Miami, Cleveland’s newest and biggest villain took his team to a 58-24 record and a Finals run.

What a downer.

Let’s cheer up and see if this time may prove even bleaker than the last time! I’m not a very positive guy.