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And no, I’m NOT talking about racism. I’m talking about that one-way sense of entitlement that sports fans (& owners…especially ones named Dan Gilbert) selectively and conveniently acquire regarding players. All I’ve heard out of Cleveland since LeBron’s “Decision” are words like “traitor”, “disloyal”, “cowardly”, “betrayal”…and those are just the ones repeatable on a family site.

I’ve also seen LeBron jerseys burned…which, while I get the point of the expression, but it just seems kind of rightfully silly to me to burn something that YOU paid good money for. But…if it’s yours, you have the right to burn it. I just wish they’d send’em to me instead and I’m a Lakers fan. Better yet, there are some little kids somewhere who could care less about sports’ politics, free agency, curses, or even rings and would love to have a LeBron jersey.

I’ve heard Cavs’ fans accuse Lebron of being a taker and not a giver. I have no idea what they’re talking about. When I was a kid, my parents, Mr & Mrs Flintsone talked to me constantly about work ethic. They stressed that when working, I should work hard, work fast and most importantly give a day’s work for a day’s pay.

Cavs fans…I ask you…In what regard, over seven years, did LeBron take and not give? I seem to remember before his arrival, the Cavs sucking like 2-bit hooker on Saturday night at the docks when the 7th Fleet is in. When he left, while the Cavs still have no rings, they had the best record in the East and one appearance in the NBA Finals. I also remember ALL of you cheering and high-fiving on every one of LeBron’s skywalking thunder dunks, 35-foot treys, hustling come-from-behind spectacular blocks, and game-winning shots…and yes…his chalk clap.

Yeah…LeBron caught a case or two of chokitis in the most recent Celtics’ series. But I didn’t notice anyone else wearing a Cavs’ uniform taking the mantle of must-win from him. And we’ve all heard the nasty rumor as to why LeBron’s head seemed to be on another planet then. Since I don’t want to get sued, the only comment I’ll make is that if that rumor is true, then I don’t know a man, Superman, or a even a King that could have played that part of that series with a certain team mate, unnerved or undaunted. Or maybe that series just re-proved that every Batman needs a Robin.

As for loyalty…funny that I heard no Cavs fan use that word when the Cavs acquired Mo Williams, Shaq or Antawn Jamison. ‘Nuff said.

Sure, the whole ESPN hour-long “Decision” thingee was over the top, but that’s unfortunately the reality-show world of news and entertainment that we now live in. Frankly, I found the 20 minutes of it that I watched about as exciting as…well…watching the Cavs play without LeBron. LeBron didn’t seem too thrilled either.

And then there’s Cavs owner, Dan “Talk Is Cheap” Gilbert. Dan Gilbert is an owner of a sports franchise, which is a business. That means that every move he makes…every breath he takes is about what’s best for HIM vis a’ vis that business. Owners cut players without so much as a phone call. LeBron fulfilled his contract…never demanded a trade…told the organization and fans 2 years ago that it was possible that he may leave in 2010…participated in the league-allowed Free Agency process…and then decided to do what was best for HIM vis ‘a vis the business named “LeBron”. Sports is a BUSINESS, people!

While you Cavs’ fans are lauding Dan Gilbert for “telling LeBron off”, ponder for a minute the following…1) What good player now wants to come to Cleveland knowing that the owner will bad-mouth him if he chooses to leave at the end of his contract?….and 2) Where has all that passion and promise of rings from Gilbert been since he’s owned the team? Why hasn’t he been screaming, ranting and “threatening” to do whatever it takes to secure a ring all along?

Cities, organizations, businesses, sports, fans don’t own players…not even ones who grew up right down the road. In a sense, we get to rent them…sometimes for their careers, sometimes for just a few years. But renting comes with a mutual agreement…unlike owning…or slavery.

P.S. Dan Gilbert isn’t even from Ohio. I wonder if his “homeys” ever called him a traitor when he left Michigan…to make a boatload of money.
Just sayin…

http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=57889