you're not surprised are you?

To close out this "circus" also known as the Free Agent Ego-induced One-hour Infomercial of LeBron James, did you really, honestly, really think it would go another way then a bolt job but a egomaniac?  Yes, I am a live and die hard Cleveland fan, but I am not as upset as I thought.  First I am not a very big pro basketball fan, but a CAVS fan and look at this differently I guess.  We need to follow the points, now after the fact.  (Isn't it always easier to do this AFTER THE FACT?)

He comes from a family with no male figure to offset and balance the immaturity of a single, teen-age mother.  He is moved from place to place to place before he is 18 yrs old. He is proclaimed, rightly or wrongly with a mantle that is totally uncalled for, but is fertilizer to his ego.  He goes through media circus after circus during high school and leading to proclaiming himself (his 3rd person words) ready for the pros.  Draft day and all the hoopla.  Lands in his own backyard and gives the very distinct impression this is what he wanted all along, being at home.

Start of pro career that revitalizes a sorry professional franchise. Takes it to levels it never had before, but always points out what he, not the team, but what he does to facilitate this.  Goes on Olympic team and pouts when a recognized basketball coach has other players ahead of him.

Puts up unbelievable numbers, but still proclaims his greatness and the need for better players around him.  Another self-indulgent proclamation.  Team capitulates and does what it can to placate the egomaniac.  More wins; double/doubles; triple/doubles; scoring titles; all-something teams; but NOT the one thing he "proclaimed" he was here for, a CHAMPIONSHIP.  He is unable to LEAD and TAKE the team to one.  More proclamations and more capitulations by the team and fans (yes, include me in this, I am not w/o fan blame).

But the love affair has a silent lover and it is not seen until now.  His love for hisself (his words not mine and spelling is correct!) and two other suitors.  When does it start? '08 Olympics.  Two year affair begins all in front of our eyes.  But will it cultivate in a new relationship? Not sure for sure, but maybe not.  But egomaniac has a jolt to his ego.  According to NBC sports ( http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/dwyane-wade-chris-bosh-may-be-making-documentary-of-free-agency.php) this two lovers are doing something behind his back and he has to have the upper hand.  How about my own infomercial, says.  Let's get it.  How? Self-indulgent ego calls his friend who pitched the idea months ago.  Funny how the idea was pitched from the same office building in of all places Downtown Cleveland.  Look it up, announcer represented by firm in same building as ego-based management group.

So he has his show, with ground and air cover provided by children of the Boys and Girls Club in CT. Proclaims he cannot win on his own and has to be second or third fiddle on a team with the hopes of winning "his" championships.  If you are the "King" others come to you, right?  If you are the real thing, the others seek you out, right?  If you are set on one thing (championship) don't you focus on that, right? You are not concerned about the "brand"; not concerned about what is around you and what it means; not concerned about the "True" image you offer; and not concerned about how you deal with things as a "Man?"

I, and many others, were loved drunk, and you in closing on your ego-show, ask us to follow you?  Well, here is my answer and hope it is for all of you others, No LeBron James I will not follow you, nor will I wish you ill-will. You proclaimed your place in the world and you must live it.  Will you get your championship? Maybe and maybe not.  But at this time, it means no never mind to me.  I am fortunate, I did attend the '64 NFL Championship won by the Browns.  It STILL is as vivid now as then.  Why?  Because it was about a TEAM of players who had the greatest NFL running back of all time, that played as a TEAM and did not need to have the ego stroked to play as a TEAM and win as a TEAM.

To bad you weren't taught that and understood the meaning of TEAM in sports, not as you use it in your team of yes-man and leeches.  I will have a great life, the good, the bad, the tears, the laughs, but it will be my life.  Sorry you will miss out on what I and others have.

Stay strong Cleveland, and remember Gloria Gaynor-"I will survive!"

Now for the real bad news, my Tribe!!

What else!

Living and dying with Cleveland teams since 1948, I have really seen it all.  1954 WS; horrible baseball in '60s-'70's-'80s; great baseball mid '90's; unbelievable baseball in '95-2001; go for the money wherever it will take them; rebuilding and rebuilding and rebuilding; Municipal Stadium and pillars; The Jake and sold out seasons; The Pro (sorry no nickname, still the Jake to me).  pre Super Bowl era football; Super Bowl era football; Paul Brown; Blanton Collier; Art Modell; momentous games; some not momentous games; the move;NBA basketball at the old Cleveland Arena; Richfield Coliseum; Gund Arean; The Q; Walt Wesley; John Johnson; Gary Suiter; Footsie Walker; Binnnnnnnnnngo Smith; Austin "AC" Carr; Campy Russell; Brad; Mark; Larry; Hot-Rod; Z; Lenny; Ted Stepien; and now Dan Gilbert.

The uniqueness of the above is nothing in those events came from within the area.  No home grown owner; no home grown player; no kid you would follow in the neighborhood and see the evolution and maturity into one of the best.  This is what sets James and his decision apart from everything else mentioned.  Regardless of what anyone says, he is one of us.  He has seen; witnessed; felt all that we have endured for decades.  At the time of this writing, no decision has been made, but is eminent, and may not bode well for us.

This event has taken on a world of its own and is truly insulting to us, if you ask me.  I never thought I could replace Art "let's move it" Modell, but I maybe able to by this evening.