Monday, July 14, 2014

Welcome? Home LeBron

Today's blog was written by J.C. Obringer.  J.C. is a rising sophomore at Ball State University majoring in Sports Administration and Digital Sports Production and is interning with Play Like a Champion Today this summer. 
 How do Cavs fans feel?

“LeBron is going home” has been headline news for the last few days. LeBron James, one of the biggest names in professional basketball right now, decided last week to sign a contract with his former team--the Cleveland Cavaliers, returning to his home in Ohio. LeBron was drafted by the Cavs and played seven seasons with them before "taking [his] talents to South Beach," to play for the Miami Heat, and famously boasting of countless championships with his new team.

Photo courtesy of  theheraldng.com
When LeBron left for  Miami, Cleveland fans were not happy.  Fans despised James for leaving. Despite seven years with the Cavs, the team (and the city) hadn't won a championship in more than four decades and it seemed that James only talked about how he wanted to bring a championship to Northeast Ohio. He left with a lot of unfulfilled promises. James wanted to win one for his hometown team he said, but then he left to win championships for South Florida. When he left fans were very salty, they burned his jersey on national tv, destroying anything and everything that had a link to him and his name. He was known from then on as a traitor, and was often reminded of his status when he returned to Cleveland with the Heat.

Photo courtesy of glogster.com
But now this “traitor” is coming back. How is he going to be received? Cleveland fans are now faced with the issue of what to do as a fan?  These fans who never wanted to see this man again, now have to welcome him back with open arm. Many fans spent the past four years actively cheering against him in every game.  He left with all these unfulfilled promises that he made. How should they treat him when he comes back?

Photo courtesy of realclearsports.com
I feel like they have to welcome James back with open arms. For one thing it’s the right thing and the only thing to do. Team owners don’t want any hostility between James and Cleveland. Fans want a championship team they can be proud of, but this won't happen if the environment is not good. The team is bringing LeBron back because they know with him on their team, they have a good chance to win a NBA title. Yes, all fans were very upset when he left, but now that he is coming back you have to get over what happen in the past. LeBron isn’t a bad guy, the world didn't end when he left, the Cavs just didn't win any championships. At the end of the day fans need to remember he’s just a basketball player and he’s human just like everyone else. Fans also need to remember that he's back on the team now, and he can help them win.