An Erie Feeling

Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Browns, and the Cavaliers. Outside of Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cavaliers, one might have seen a huge Nike poster of Lebron James, the face of the franchise. But that was yesterday. Now you have to travel to South Beach to see anything advertising Lebron, as he is the newest member of the Miami Heat. In a one hour special yesterday, James announced he would join Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade for a superteam in Miami. Later, sources reported that the Heat would be trading Michael Beasley, the former second overall draft pick. As for the new big three, or to celebrate the Spanish flare of Miami, "Los Tres Grandes," they will each sign a smaller contract than anywhere else. This, however, is a small price to pay when a dynasty could be built with these three great players.

Back in Cleveland, though, they have a big poster space to fill. Byron Scott, the newly introduced head coach, insists the team will move on without Lebron, but the owner had some stronger words to say. He openly assaulted Lebron's decision in a letter to Cavaliers fans, saying that he guarantees a championship in Cleveland before Lebron gets his first. He should have looked at his roster first. Their star player now is Shaquille O'Neal, who is way past his best times, and oh by the way, a free agent. So who are they going to win a championship with? Mo Williams? Delonte West? Anderson Varejao? Yeah right.

I think Cleveland fans forgot that the professional sports leagues are a business now, and Lebron's situation was no different. Even if Lebron wanted to stay, he had no incentive. He wanted to win a championship (how can you blame him) and it was proven in his seven year time with Cleveland that it could not and would not be done. Cleveland fans have no right to feel betrayed. I had a conversation with friend and former Ohio native Marie Alford about the situation, and she agrees with me. "[SportsCenter] says Lebron has now become the second most hated man in Cleveland, next to Art Modell of course, but I just don't think that should be said. if Cleveland fans really cared, they would know what's best for him, not make him feel unwelcome in his own city." It is time for Cleveland fans to be mature and move on.