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Has James Turned His Back on Akron/Cleveland?

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buckeyegrad

buckeyegrad

Don't Immanentize the Eschaton
Staff member
Too many [censored]ed off people in the sports forums to try to have this dicussion, so I thought the philosophical forum might be a better place to raise this question.

In light of the charity work LeBron has done for Akron, especially for disadvantaged youths, can we really say he has turned his back on his home town?
Akron: LeBron's legacy to local charities

I'm really kind of disgusted by the attitude I'm hearing tonight from the sports fans about how James has betrayed his home town simply because his is not going to bring greatness to the region on the basketball court, as if the good he is doing through his charity work doesn't mean a hill of beans compared to potential sports achievements. There are those saying he is no longer welcome here and public pressure should make it impossible for him to continue to have a home in Bath or spend his off-season in the region.

Who here is really turning their backs on the region? A basketball superstar who supports his home town through charity work, but no longer on the court; or those who are ready to jeapordize that charity by running the provider out of town because they are pissed that they won't get to celebrate a championship?
 
I'm disappointed that he left the Cavs. He represented the best opportunity for a championship in the city of Cleveland and I wanted to see it happen. Him leaving stings because he has portrayed himself as a hometown boy, loyal, loved the Cavs, etc. I needed him to stay because the Browns and Indians do not appear to anywhere near elite level, now the Cavs are in rebuilding mode. Who knows how long this is going to take to rebuild from because we lose big time by him just walking away (believe $9M in cap room with his leaving) and really no way of recouping anywhere close to the level of talent or players.

Having said that, he is not turning his back on the city or the state by this move. But his leaving the organization will piss off the fans of this state, which will make him hated, so he won't be able to be as visible in the state and his name won't have the savior status that it has had for the last decade. He is an intelligent young man that knows the history of this game and of his hometown; he knew this reaction would happen.

Eventually, my emotions of him leaving the Cavs will calm down and I will be able to casually enjoy watching him as a Heat. But the plight of the Cleveland sports fan is tough to characterize as we have felt nothing but heartache for years, so we should be use to it. How does the frustration and anger get worst with every defeat?
 
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buckeyegrad;1728817; said:
Too many [censored]ed off people in the sports forums to try to have this dicussion, so I thought the philosophical forum might be a better place to raise this question.

In light of the charity work LeBron has done for Akron, especially for disadvantaged youths, can we really say he has turned his back on his home town?
Akron: LeBron's legacy to local charities

I'm really kind of disgusted by the attitude I'm hearing tonight from the sports fans about how James has betrayed his home town simply because his is not going to bring greatness to the region on the basketball court, as if the good he is doing through his charity work doesn't mean a hill of beans compared to potential sports achievements. There are those saying he is no longer welcome here and public pressure should make it impossible for him to continue to have a home in Bath or spend his off-season in the region.

Who here is really turning their backs on the region? A basketball superstar who supports his home town through charity work, but no longer on the court; or those who are ready to jeapordize that charity by running the provider out of town because they are pissed that they won't get to celebrate a championship?
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Sanctimony? Really? What are you Keith Olbermann now? :tongue2: Give it a few days, I'm sure your "disgust" will die down as people get over it and move on with their lives.

In all seriousness, he didn't "turn his back" on the area by pursuing a new opportunity. But the whole drawn out one hour special to kick dirt in our faces was completely unnecessary and showed a surprising lack of awareness of what his departure meant for a lot of people. And not just sports fans, BTW. A lot of people's livlihoods are jeopardized or at least take a hit with this move. And his charity work will also take a hit, if for no other reason than he won't be here much anymore. He'll be in Miami. He'll probably do charity work there. Fine. But he also used charity to try and make himself out to be a martyr at the end of his hour long slobberfest. Should he be ridden out on a rail? Of course not. But he did a lot of things that weren't necessary. If that means his reputation suffers here...too fucking bad.
 
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fanaticbuckeye;1728825; said:
Having said that, he is not turning his back on the city or the state by this move. But his leaving the organization will [censored] off the fans of this state, which will make him hated, so he won't be able to be as visible in the state and his name won't have the savior status that it has had for the last decade. He is an intelligent young man that knows the history of this game and of his hometown; he knew this reaction would happen.
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And there is the true reason I think so many are ticked right now. If your image is that of a savior, whether you manufactured it or not, you better deliver because there is nothing worse than being seen as a failed messiah by one who placed their hope in you.
 
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Bucklion;1728826; said:
Sanctimony? Really? What are you Keith Olbermann now? :tongue2: Give it a few days, I'm sure your "disgust" will die down as people get over it and move on with their lives.
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Well, to be honest, Cleveland sports always leave me feeling disgusted. :tongue2:
 
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Honestly, I became a stronger Cavs fan because of LBJ. I grew up with the Cavs as my favorite team, but I would miss weeks worth of games, catch up on the records and that was that. I was a casual fan, not much more.

I had the opportunity to follow LBJ all through high school, my brother and I went to 4-5 games a year of his and felt a connection to his career because we were there in high school to witness it at that level and then when he went to the Cavs, I have been a relentless supporter and loved every minute of it. Now, it just doesn't feel the same. I don't really have a major problem with 60 minute show he put on, other than the severe wound it created by leaving the Cavs on primetime television. The spectacle itself doesn't offend me, just the result.

I am still a Cavs fan first; but I want to enjoy watching LBJ because he is such an phenomenal player to watch. I'll let the emotions die down a little.
 
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I am pissed he left and I do believe he did turn his back. I highly doubt he just decided this mornig, he gave up in the playoffs, he said he loves the city and wanted to win. Okay we had the best record in the NBA the past two years. What else did he need. Think of it with tressel, we didn't give up on him after losing those 2 national championships. How is it different. Lebron is a bitch and I'm disgusted how he went about this. Using he boys and girls club as a "shield". Come on man. He's trying to cover his Publicity stunt by using a feel good story of university if Phoenix scholarships and money. Sorry bro I have no respect for you now lebron. You HAD class, but not anymore
 
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buckeyegrad;1728817; said:
I'm really kind of disgusted by the attitude I'm hearing tonight from the sports fans about how James has betrayed his home town simply because his is not going to bring greatness to the region on the basketball court, as if the good he is doing through his charity work doesn't mean a hill of beans compared to potential sports achievements.
Click to expand...

I understand this sentiment.

I just see it as a chicken-and-egg scenario. The reason Lebron had the opportunity to set up the charity and such was due to his celebrated basketball presence and success. With that gone from the area, I believe the impact on the latter may very well be negative.

I was a tangential Lebron fan, because I saw him as someone who would do the right thing for the area that he professed his love for. His actions tonight destroyed that for me (and I'm not even a Cavs fan).
 
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Meh... While I can certainly understand Cavs fans anger LeBron James is a fuckin basketball player, for shit's sake. The amount of people hanging on "The Decision" the hype... etc.. I found it all to be ludicrious. Granted, I'm not a NBA fan, and don't really care who is on the Cavs roster or Miami's or anyone elses... but.. it's a basketball player signing a contract. Big fucking deal.

Real dollars James donates is what matters, not where he's dribbling a basketball. While there is some value in bringing a championship to a city, it's really not much. Hell, considering the party in the streets, it actually might cost cities more to win than it helps... but... anyway... who fucking cares where a guy plays, as it effects where a guy spends his money.

In short - I get "turned his back on Cleveland" when it concerns basketball and basketball only. But, turning that in to something bigger... making it mean something important? Fuck that. He's just a goddamned basketball player. Nothing more. Nothing less.
 
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He no more "turned his back on Akron/Cleveland" than the average Joe who grew up there, moved to another state to further his career, yet still roots for Cleveland sports teams. Is that guy a "traitor", too?
 
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