Posted by kmasonbx1 on 6/14/2013 12:41:00 PM (view original):
Posted by evil_twin on 6/14/2013 11:28:00 AM (view original):
I have no problem that LeBron left for Miami. I don't even place primary blame on him for the fiasco that was "The Decision", which to me marked the death of ESPN as the sports news entity it once excelled as. The fact is, LeBron flat out quit on his team, right on the court, in front of the entire country on a pair of occasions in the playoffs, both times in game 5's against Boston. Say what you will about his supporting cast, he flat out quit. All the talent in the world can't make up for having no heart.
As far as the decision go, it did great ratings for ESPN (they are a business afterall, higher ratings, higher commercial costs) and the event raised over $3 million for the Akron boys and girls club. But I will see, I don't think he should have done it like that. But the way Dan Gilbert and Cavs acted after he chose Miami, I don't think there was a bad way for him to announce he was leaving, the least sincere the way, the better IMO.
I have always thought The Decision was scheduled with Lebron planning on coming back to Cleveland.
Think about it. It was planned way in advance. He could bring in a bunch of money for local charities, announce he was coming back to his hometown team, and he would have been an absolute hero. Only a couple days before, Wade and Bosh put on the hard press and he realizes the opportunity is too good to pass up. He couldn't cancel the special because there was too much money at stake and ESPN wouldn't have let him. It's telling in watching The Decision that Lebron knew he was about to become the most hated person in Cleveland and was totally uncomfortable the entire night.
Honestly, I know people want to hate him and The Decision is an great excuse to do so, but I think my explanation makes way more sense. In tracking Lebron's career, he rarely makes bad business decisions, and vilifying himself is just an absolute awful one.