By Malice Intended
Tonight, months after defecting to South Florida, LeBron Raymone James will be returning to Cleveland for the first time as an enemy in hostile territory, as the once adoring fans there now consider him a betrayer on par with Benedict Arnold. This is quite a contrast to how he was perceived there last season, as native Ohioan son and athletic heir to Michael “Air” Jordan. Tonight, as his Miami Heat team faces off against the Cavs he left behind, much of the world will stop. So emotionally heightened is the situation that unprecedented security measures are being taken. Bottles and vulgar signs will not be allowed.
It may come as a surprise that there are guys out there who could care less. Guys like me, who anticipate the next episode of Misfits rather than some basketball game. For us, LeBron is neither savior nor antichrist, but simply a talented athlete who didn’t make the “right” decision in the eyes of many. To understand the ire surrounding LeBron’s decision, one has to understand the deep connection that most Americans have to sports. Everyone follows something, whether its football, basketball, or baseball. They feel a kinship not only to the teams but to the players themselves that often becomes fanaticism and obsession. Buffalo Bills fans wearing nothing but blue and red body paint in a cold ass stadium is more than enough proof or that.
That kind of devotion ironically bugs me out. See I have my own attachment. I remember standing on line to get tickets for Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace more than a week early back in May of 1999. Many of my friends thought I was nuts. I’ve done similar things for other events such as autograph signings by my favorite comic books artists and the like. Every single time, my friends would have tons of jokes. I’ve seen those same guys nearly choke back tears when their favorite teams got knocked out of the playoffs. They wear $100 jerseys and $30 fitted caps to show their team allegiance and they too have stood on incredibly long lines outside of stadiums to buy tickets for a single game. It’s funny how people can decry the fanatical behavior of others while indulging in fanaticism for something that is equally insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Now, many of the same people I just mentioned are shooting daggers through their flat screens at LeBron James while savoring every minute of the less than stellar season the Miami Heat have been having thus far. Ask them why, and you’ll get replies like “It wasn’t what he did, it’s how he did it!” I’ve been hearing the grumbles ever since the Cavaliers lost to the Celtics in the playoffs. “He threw the game. I hope he gets injured and can’t play anymore.” The grumbles turned into a loud and perpetual roar when LeBron decided not to stay with the Cavaliers. He did so without giving his former team what would be the NBA equivalent of a two week notice. Since then, he has been treated like a war criminal, with death threats and disgust from the Cleveland faithful.
[pro-player width=’425′ height=’344′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ7LaEJ83tg[/pro-player]
To all of the former LeBron James supporters out there, it’s time to get some perspective on things. Being passionate about your favorite team and hobbies is all well and good, but foaming at the mouth and calling for Lebron’s head is clownish, don’t you think? Remember how stupid all those Star Wars fans looked to you as they stood in line for movie tickets dressed as Storm Troopers and Jedi? That’s how you now look to the non sportswatching world. Hard as it may be to believe, the fact that LeBron James decided to leave Cleveland (and supposedly blew any chance he had of being the next MJ) didn’t knock the planet off its axis. It’s only news because so many people live vicariously through athletes and sports teams. It ain’t Lebron’s fault you don’t have a jumpshot.
Follow Us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/planetill
Follow Malice Intended on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/Renaissance1977
Join Us on the Planet Ill Facebook Group for more discussion
Follow us on Networked Blogs
well, as both a sports fan and certified comic book geek, i see this from both angles. fanaticism is fanaticism, regardless of what flavor it comes in. good points made.
oh, and i saw Star Wars episode 1 in New York on opening day and didn’t wait one minute in a ticket line. we bought them online. yes, the internet was around back then too, mayne.