There and Back Again
2014-07-11
“I want kids in Northeast Ohio to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile.” -LeBron James
–I’ve noticed little things. He seemed more comfortable in his own skin. More resolute about his game. He respected his foes and disposed of them without fanfare. When he lost to the Spurs I was taken aback at how calm he was. He seemed genuinely happy for Tim Duncan. He made no excuses – the Spurs were superior. He praised their approach, which, really, would be his approach, if that were possible. That moment changed my rational characterization of LeBron James. And what a contrast. (My mind flashes to the Dirk coughing episode)–
I’m not sure how much LeBron changed between 2010 and today. But I do know that drastic and permanent change is possible in such a short timeframe. A man’s 20s is the most dynamic period of his life. The enormous transition from institutionalized childhood to the distorted lifestyles of higher education to family-building and career growth can occur in just four years. A 26-year-old can look back at his 22-year-old self and wonder how someone so dumb survived. And a 30-year-old can look back at his 26-year-old self and wonder how someone could believe he was so smart.
I am married with two children, was born in 1984, grew up on 80s cartoons, love video games, went to a Catholic High School in suburban NE Ohio, and I love basketball. Other than that, I don’t share much in common with LeBron James, I guess. There was only one constant during my tumultuous 20s – LeBron James in Cavalier garb. In 2003, when the Cavs won the lottery, I screamed up and down my dorm hallway like a madman (my freshman year). LeBron and the Cavs set out on a journey. He was always there, growing, amidst a reshuffling of teammates, coaches, GMs, even owners. I was growing too, while I shuffled between rental housing, girlfriends, and internships. I was in school for 8 years. The week I was to defend my thesis was the same week the Cavs were eliminated in the 2010 playoffs. I was under so much stress that my body stopped digesting food. In less than a month I defended my thesis, started my career, and got married. During that same month, LeBron left Northeast Ohio and it was devastating.
I took me 4 years to emotionally purge The Decision from my psyche. The restlessness required to pen the following words:
“And LeBron’s “decision” would be the ultimate endorsement or indictment of our beloved home.”
had finally washed away. I was forced to realize that my family, my community, my faith, and the things I’d been building and growing were real, within my grasp, and requiring my dedication. Amazingly (I know), I transcended to a higher state of being – no longer requiring a stranger to affirm my city, my state, my team. To the outsiders, I “got over it.”
And now, much like that explosive month back in 2010, everything has changed again. I’ve come full circle. The cynic in me, never more insufferable than the last few nights, is being purged. LeBron James reminded me why I cared so much in the first place. He reminded me not to be ashamed of having a passion for, and drawing happiness from, a game.
This season has followed the most unpredictable sequences of events that I have ever witnessed. Since being dubbed the #seasonOfHuh by Ben Cox for now insignificant things like “struggling to inbound the ball”, it has raged out of control in a fiery inferno. The NBA landscape seems unrecognizable. The Cavs winning the lottery with those miniscule odds seemed so utterly ridiculous at the end of that season. And now, LeBron James is returning to Northeast Ohio to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers. (!)
And yet! They pale in comparison to the most remarkable thing of all. Despite all these events, despite all our incredulity, despite all the odds, despite LeBron coming home – something just happened that none of us, not even the most wildly imaginative, could have believed:
In less than 1000 words, LeBron James made everything right.
I am for three inexpensive FA’s: Miller, Birdman, and Mo Williams (not sure how cheap he would be). I read somewhere about the fact that the Cavs really need a second unit point guard and MW would be ideal. And thet Delly is really more a 2 and special purpose player. Might get a late career, back with LeBron, discount from Mo.
Maybe Blatt can come up with some special situation linesups, like super D: Delly, Wiggins, LeBron, Birdman, and Andy.
How can anyone hate bird man as a player? He is so underrated it’s silly. Does all the little things with effort…doesn’t stop the ball ever, and is the king of tipped rebounds outside of Andy verajao
I absolutely hate Birdman as a player. I DO NOT want him on the Cavs. Please, please don’t sign him, Cleveland.
Cavs are pursuing Miami’s Chris Andersen, along with Mike Miller and Ray Allen (who is considering retirement). Miller is seriously considering the Cavs.
But can you imagine if the Cavs’ two posts are “The Birdman” and “The Wild Thing”?
Delly looked quite good last night . . . like the best player on the floor. Wiggins (18 pts) did better than I thought he would. Poor handle and didn’t get to the rim as much as I thought he would, but I liked the confidence he showed in his outside shot. With that quick first step, his step back will be unguardable – and he hits it with consistency. Made some nice plays on defense. Most importantly, he didn’t look like a passive player. He looked more like a team player. Bennett is still figuring things out and people… Read more »
I like Love (can’t bring myself to say “love Love”) as a player, and any roster with Lebron, Love, and Kyrie would be formidable. My problem with Love has to do with how difficult it will be to manage the salary cap with those three guys and keep the entire roster strong. You need more than three guys.
I know LeBron is the story, but I found this little tidbit on Blatt interesting from a former player’s perspective: http://2paragraphs.com/2014/07/i-played-for-david-blatt-lebron-james-new-coach/?se_id=
Thanks for posting, John.
Did you see how engaged Blatt was at the summer league game? Yelling at and directing the players on the floor? We saw very little of that from Byron Scott and Mike Brown.
as a player LeBron may never equal m.j’s championship’s ( here I go again RAOUL )—-AS PERSON HE HAS ALREADY SURPASSED HIM ! —-LEBRON TOTALLY GETS IT —–BASKETBALL CHAMPIOSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT —BUT THEIR ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS HE CAN DO FOR A CITY / AREA OFF THE COURT—-WHEN HE WAS GIVEN THE TITLE CHOSEN ONE IT JUST WASN’T FOR HIS BASKEBALL SKILLS—–LEBRON HAS BEEN GIVEN A SPECIAL GIFT AND HE HAS TAKEN THAT RESPOSIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY AND HAS LIVED IT WELL—–THANK YOU LEBRON FOR COMING BACK —THANK YOU FOR BEING A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR OUR YOUTH—WE DON’T NEED… Read more »
Agree with nomad.
Thank you for the great read Tom!
First visit on CAVs the blog after a long time. I read some articles the year he left, but it wasn´t that interesting anymore.
I always thought about it as a sad story him beeing forced to leave Cleveland because of no chance winning it all. That he needed to do.
Now i can´t wait for the one moment he hopes to deliver.
Best wishes to cleveland from Germany.
Holy hell what a day. I didnt get anything done the past 3 days at work and I just got done celebrating. We don’t nee Love right away, trade for him at the deadline it’ll be cheaper. I hate Ray Allen still. Wiggins was astonishing in summer league (even though he can’t dribble on capable defenders which I’ve been saying this whole time) my favorite newish Cav put up a killer stat line what what Delly! Karasev was -27 today which softens the blow of losing Zeller. Jabari can’t defend (said this too) so we looked even better. Now we… Read more »
I am on board for keeping wiggins and Bennett. I think Bennett especially would benefit from Lebron. He could have a monster year. Blast will get him wide open shot after shot after shot after dunk after shot. Lebron’s presence alone could vault the cavs toward the team competing for 3 all star spots. And then I think about Kevin love. He is 25. Not even in his late 20s. He also has very little mileage on him…the equivalent of a luxury sports car that has sat in the garage on the trickle charger for a couple years in the… Read more »
I’ve hated LeBron since the decision and told friends I didn’t want him back. I thought I didn’t want Cleveland to win a championship that way, because of a savior, or because it was just the best option for him now that the Miami thing wasn’t going to pay off anymore. But the SI letter was something I never expected. To come back to NE Ohio because it is his hometown, and because he knows what it means to the area, is what I thought should have motivated him four years ago. If it has taken that long to settle… Read more »
I agree with this, Matt.
I don’t really want this to turn into a “hired gun” team. Don’t get me wrong, if we trade for Love, I’ll be excited.
But it’ll be awesome to start winning and become a dominant team with LeBron, Kyrie, Wiggins, Bennett, and Waiters all becoming much better players.
Okay. I just watched brief highlights of the Cavs first summer league game, and I was on the fence about trading for Love, now I’m 100% against it, if only because at some point in the season they’re going to go small and trot out a lineup of Kyrie, Dion, Wiggins, Lebron, Bennett and they are going to run a fast break and possibly break the world…goodness gracious… no trades, see how these young’uns develop for a year, they’ll be more valuable by far after a year of playing with Lebron anyway, then if you want to bring in a… Read more »
I get that Love is a lot of peoples favorite player, and they would love to have him on the Cavs. But here are a couple reasons why I am NOT for it. 1. (For the 10’th time) The salary cap situation will not allow it, other than to gut the team, and be in the same place as the Heat were. That is a deal breaker right there, and should be the end of the discussion. Even if we keep Wiggins and trade him for Scotty Hopson, we will have to give away Bennett, Waiters, + ?? to sign… Read more »
Hmmm what if in 2010… Dan Gilbert: Hey Lebron, we ain’t going to win a title this way… we need to tank and get some picks… Lebron: How about I go to Miami and win some titles while you guys build something that could work… I mean.. I would really like to win a title in Cleveland… Gilbert: Hmmm okay… how do we make this credible? Lebron: How about I do some ridiculous TV show about leaving and then you write a really mean letter? Gilbert: Okay, that would work… what do we say about that when you come back?… Read more »
Is that the transcript from the FBI report? I heard they were putting listening devices in Gilbert’s office. Now I know its true.
ＬＯＬ Ｉ’ｄｏｎｔ ｋｎｏｗ， ｔｈｉｓ ｉｓ ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ ａ ｒｅｐｏｓｔ ｆｒｏｍ ｍｙ ｆｒｉｅｎｄ’ｓ ｗａｌｌ．
After I got adjusted to LeBron leaving (about half a year), I internalize the situation like this: 1: The Cavs had failed to get a team around him (partly his fault for not recruiting), and we had given up all upcoming draft picks, so he pretty much had no choice but to go. 2: The possible silver lining would be if the Cavs could get some good young players, and he could come back in 4 years. I actually thought things were on course until the team looked so bad last year. When we got the #1 pick, I thought… Read more »
Me neither! All that matters now is we got Lebron!!!
Gilbert had an investigation started, Im sure they could have proved the Big 3/Heat collusion. Ive always thought the Cavs’ #1’s was Gilberts hush money…
I just want to say, I am so happy Mike Brown is nowhere NEAR the building.
AGREED. Best comment I have ever seen.
I guess all the people (including some on this blog) who said things Lois “no way is LeBron going back to Cleveland can now just be quiet. Love or Melo or __________ superstars being added this or next year is entirely possible. We have assets. We have an owner who wants to win and willing to spend. We have youth. We have draft picks. We are in the East. We have a chance to win multiple championships over the next 5 years. Exciting times ahead for the cavs and the city of Cleveland!!!!
Cavs fans just won the NBA League Pass–that alone is worth celebrating! My only wish–LeBron acknowledged that the process will be a few years….so do NOT sell assets quickly. Stay young and do this right! Wiggins and Bennett should remain Cavs. Love can always sign the following year….let’s see what w e have right now!
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Ima start the love talk here I want him but he is not worth losing wiggins over now before y’all yell about that listen wiggins is a better value than love in regard to contracts and skill combined now that doesn’t mean dont get love I want him I just want irving wiggins lebron and love to be a fearsome foursome (yes I took that from the rams on draft night) I think with waiters tt and bennett something could be done especially with the 3 first we have next year but I would like to keep bennett because I… Read more »
Nicely done. I’m hoping we don’t go after love until next year when we don’t have to give up the farm. IF Wiggins lives up to his potential or close- we can really be aggressive in building a team with known commodities. Worse case scenario Wiggins is a franchise guy and we give him up a year too early. Lets see what kind of player he is and see if Bennett decelops at all. Next year is a huge one for free agencylets be patient and know what we have to build the right way rather Fha rush to get… Read more »
The first 7 years were wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but there was always a anxiety hovering over the team. In LeBron’s letter – he says the following: 1.) He always knew he’d go back and finish his career in Cleveland, just didn’t know when. I’m going to decode from this that LeBron is a Cav for the rest of his life. LeBron never gets hurt, is huge, can shoot now, has a post game, and is one of the smartest players ever. If Tim Duncan can be a critical component to the greatest team I have ever seen (The… Read more »
Agree with Tom! Every word.
Agree with Raoul.
Maybe I should just create a little macro for that….
Agree!!!!! Wheeeeeeee!!!!!!
William,
I lived in Madison in the beginning of the Don Nelson era. Bobby Dandridge, Dave Meyers, Junior Bridgeman, Swen Nater,..always liked the Bucks. Parker and the Greek Freak will be a handful as they develop. The Central will be tough. I think the Bulls have to be the division favorite if Rose comes back healthy. Over the long haul, it’s probably the Cavs and Bulls. I don’t like what Kidd did to get the coaching job. Jury’s still out on him. Hearing rumors of a Hibbert-Sanders deal.
Wow you Cav fans seem like you have tears in your eyes. I am from Milwaukee Bucks land. I actually like this move by LeBron. But I never like the clear cut best player in the league. Because Durant is better. Haha. I think it’ll be great LeBron being back. This division will be pretty damn good in the years to come. It’ll be like the 80’s and 90’s for central division. Pacers and Bulls have been taking whatever they want. But now its Pistons will do well under SVG so they’re going to get much better. The Bucks have… Read more »
This goes out to you, william:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyd4NPvzKQg
Good to hear from you william. I always root for Milwaukee teams. I think of Milwaukee as being a lot like Cleveland.
I lived in Peoria for two years, and learned a great theory about who to root for once your team is eliminated: the team further from salt water! Anyone going through Peoria, stop for a cold one at Jimmy’s Irish Bar. Totally cool place (other than featuring cigars).
Welcome William.
I’ll leave you with this- I watched the summer league game last night, and I thought the most impressive player on the court was Giannis. That kid is a freak show.
Summer League Cavs players look like they are playing to stay in Cleveland!
Great article Tommy!
I’ve been a Cavs fan since 1973, growing up in WNY. I had to move to the Sunbelt in the 1980s because the economy in the area where i grew up hasn’t been good since the 1960s. This is a great day for NE Ohio and the Cavs. I was crying earlier today when the news sunk in after the initial shock. As i heard, Aaron Goldhammer said he was moved to tears also. Just a remarkable day. Thank you LeBron.
Why is everyone so excited or happy about Miller or Allen??? Are we going to be the Heat2.0??
I don’t want people to say, “Well, they needed the whole Miami bench to be successful…”.
Just find other players that compliment what we have, especially a center. We need a 5 badly.
We already have a vastly better bench than Miami. A couple more guys will not hurt. Yes, we need a 5. Maybe we can get Zeller for a draft pick?
You know Raoul, as ridiculous as that sounds, it might be absolutely worth it.
Charlie e well said —agree with windhorst —people don’t leave this area because they want to —they are forced due to the economy—– CLEVELAND IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE A GREAT AREA TO LIVE — WITH HARD WORKINK/ PROUD PEOPLE—I THINK LEBRON SENSED THAT / MISSED THAT / WANTED HIS FAMILY TO BE ABLE TO LIVE THAT————-ALL TOGETHER WE ARE CLEVELAND AND PROUD OF IT !!!——-APOLOGIZE IF MY ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM IS A LITTLE TOO MUCH —IT JUST HAS BEEN A GREAT WEEK FOR CLEVELAND –WE DESERRVE IT !!
You tell ’em, nomad!!
I’m beyond excited. Looks like the plane stories were accurate. And Dan wasn’t in his backyard. He was in LeBron’s Miami place. Wonder if the Cavs will have Miller/Allen sign on with LeBron? I can’t get off this high.
Chris Grant’s collection of pieces are starting to look very very valuable now. If we don’t get Lebron those pieces are relatively unhelpful…but having snagged him all of the hoarding of assets is looking like a great move. So…there’s that. I’m stoked we didn’t have to give up those assets when Grant got canned, lol.
Absolutely agree.
I cannot understand people who did not like hoarding assets.
I think Grant played a great hand the first couple years. The last year was mixed at best. Instantly hiring Mike Brown will forever stain his legacy. Bennett hopefully will be the bright spot on his legacy. Does anyone know if the stories about Grant continuously badrapping the Cavs after being fired are true? If so, that is bush league.
I met someone that knew CG personally and said he was the “nicest young man” you could meet
I would doubt they are true, but I’m still glad he is gone. Granted, I never met him (even as a young man lol) but there wasn’t an energy from him that we’re getting from Griffin. I love his energy and if I had to guess I’d say he makes Gilbert feel more comfortable. He’s a much straighter shooter.
I’ll give Grant this…he would definitely get Love for peanuts. he always drove an insanely hard bargain and won almost every trade. All that good work destroyed by Brown and Bennett, SMH.
Great stuff. Can’t wait for the podcast. MALLORY WHERE ARE YOU?! What a day. I got sent home early from work, I’ve just been surfing between various web sources and ESPN. Generally reaction from the sports world seems overwhelmingly positive, which is great. Even Bill Simmons, bless his heart. I haven’t lived in Cleveland since 1995, the year our second child was diagnosed with autism and we found that treatment and education options in Massachusetts were far superior (thank you Taxachusetts!) The last few hours I’ve been thinking about how things might be at this year’s Opening Night. Imaging the… Read more »
“In 2003, when the Cavs won the lottery, I screamed up and down my dorm hallway like a madman”
Tom, where were you that you still were at school in late May?
Wright State – they used to be on quarters.
When the 03 lottery took place, I was too nervous to follow it at work. I had to go out and listen on the radio in my car. When they announced DET at #2, I sprinted across the parking lot – all 270lbs of me – then power-walked from floor to floor, cubicle to cubicle…”we got LeBron! we got LeBron! sweating like a mofo.
This time my ecstasy was tempered a bit…I did the running man backwards, up a flight of stairs. I dare you to try that at home, lol.
LEBRON JAMES IS ON THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if there is 1 person who can personally influence the economy / revival of an area–THAT PERSON IS LeBron —–I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE % OF SALES RESTAURANTS / TAVERNS TONIGHT BASED ON LEBRON’S DECISION __( MY WIFE AND I SANDUSKY/ CEDAR PT WERE THINKING OF COMING UO TONIGHT TO JOIN THE CELEB—FIGURED WE PROBABLY WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO GET CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN —YOU PEOPLE ARE ON YOUR OWN TONIGHT )—REALLY FEEL LEBRON IS TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE OF REVAMPING THIS AREA AS HE IS TO BRINGONG A CHAMPIONSHIP —-HE IS THE RIGHT PERSON TO DO BOTH—WELCOME BACK KING—–
Beautifully written.