Has James Turned His Back on Akron/Cleveland?

[jlb1705]

I think he has, but I don't think he realizes it yet. He's 25 years old, he's only lived in one place and he's always been adored. Instead of growing up rooting for local teams, he rooted for the Yankees and Cowboys. There's a certain level of detachment there that I think doesn't allow him to realize the gravity of his decision as it relates to his standing in the area. I think he believes that he can maintain a home there, visit, do good works and it will be forgiven and forgotten. The fact that he left in the first place is bad enough. People were going to be mad anyway and to say otherwise is being disingenuous. The way he did it - not just on TV yesterday, but with everything he's done to set this up over the past three years - is going to make him and unwelcome presence.

 

[Bucklion]

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.

See I would say, respectfully, that one has to live in Cleveland/NE Ohio now to understand the actual impact of this. It isn't just about basketball...there are a lot of people who are significantly financially affected by this, and they mostly are, what was it the BP guy called them? "little people". Vendors, attendants, people working that second or third job to make ends meet...many of those folks will no longer have jobs, or will be significantly cut back, much like they were when the Indians tanked after their run in the 90s and attendance plummeted. There are no other teams here, or attractions, that generated those opportunities. It isn't like NY, or LA, where people go to "be seen" or where other sports teams sell out regularly. The Cavs with LBJ provided livelihoods for people that the Cavs without LBJ cannot. It took me living in Chicago and then moving here to really understand the fundamental difference. So to a lot of people here, it IS something bigger, much bigger.

 

[Piney]

I'll try to be civil

Did he turn his back on Cleveland/Akron? First off you do have to separate the two cities. I'll get into 'why' later.

For Cleveland... he turned his back on the city and will never be welcomed back for anything. Basically for the next few years (especially if he wins a title) he will supplant Modell for hatred in the city because the scar is recent. It will fade in time, but he won't be welcomed back.

For Akron... Why do I have to separate the two cities? Because I would say most (not all) people from Akron really don't associate with Cleveland much. There was a radio talk show that explained this better than I will at the moment. But alot of people in Akron do not like being associated with Cleveland. They feel slighted that they are tied to Cleveland. So the backlash won't be as great in Akron, as afterall when LeBron speaks of his home he proudly says Akron, and never mentioned Cleveland.

So I can still see LeBron doing charity work in Akron. Maybe he might have to take a year or two off from big events, but he will still be seen as a hero there no matter what.

 

[buckeyegrad]

Piney, good perspective, and probably one of the reasons I raised this question.

I'm not originally from NE Ohio and have only lived here for 6 years. I never imagined I would move to this region of the state, yet alone spend the rest of my life here. Yet, because of Mrs. Buckeyegrad and other commitments I've made to the Akron community over the last 6 years, I'm likely here for good--though I still hope to get out some day. I'm also not a Cleveland sports fan; in fact, I'm the exact oppositie--I'm a hater.

I live in Stow and work in Cleveland, but prior to my work at CWRU, I spent two years at Kent State. During those two years, everything north of the turnpike might as well have been in a different state. My current long term plan is to move out to Medina Co. and find work somewhere in the Akron/Canton/Ashland region, so that I can once again reclaim that perpsective of being separate from Cleveland--i.e. everything north of the turnpike.

Thus for me, I'm going to be really ticked off if the Cleveland fans make LeBron a social parriah to the entire region and cause him to take his charity work to another city. Akron can still benefit greatly from LeBron and as someone who volunteers in the community and is in the leadership of a congregation in the Akron area, I don't want to see his good will to his home city jeapordized.

 

[Dryden]

I'm sure Cleveland will get over it.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

See I would say, respectfully, that one has to live in Cleveland/NE Ohio now to understand the actual impact of this. It isn't just about basketball...there are a lot of people who are significantly financially affected by this, and they mostly are, what was it the BP guy called them? "little people". Vendors, attendants, people working that second or third job to make ends meet...many of those folks will no longer have jobs, or will be significantly cut back, much like they were when the Indians tanked after their run in the 90s and attendance plummeted. There are no other teams here, or attractions, that generated those opportunities. It isn't like NY, or LA, where people go to "be seen" or where other sports teams sell out regularly. The Cavs with LBJ provided livelihoods for people that the Cavs without LBJ cannot. It took me living in Chicago and then moving here to really understand the fundamental difference. So to a lot of people here, it IS something bigger, much bigger.

I can certainly understand that perspective, and I would agree that people's livelihoods are certainly effected by his departure. I'm not so sure I am willing to take it so far, however (to the extent that the reasoning suggests that James "owes" anything to anyone on this metric). James, I don't think, has some sort of obligation to make sure some vendor can make a buck and feed his family. That's just way too much to rest on the shoulders of a single basketball player.

Again, as a fan - I certainly appreciate feelings of "he betrayed us!" But, in terms of some over reaching feeling of James "turning his back on" a city or a region.... That's just making a sports figure out to be something he isn't. Cleveland will still be around tomorrow. The Browns will still play this season. The Indians still will host baseball games. The flats will still be open for business, and restaurants will still serve food. What I mean to say, James isn't the only thing Cleveland had going for it. Was his presence beneficial? No doubt. But, I still can't reconcile his simply being a basketball player with some "larger purpose" or "obligation."

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Gotta disagree with Akron seeing themselves separate from Cleveland... yes we'd prefer to not be lumped in.. for most parts.. but as far as professional sports, we have no choice...

Lebron will be viewed as Judas in Akron... forever as well...

He could possibly sway some if he continues to do local charities... but I suspect that will wane quickly... he'll drop out of the city completely...

Akron will not respond well to "I love Akron... I love Akron... oh wait, I can't carry a team myself... rings mean more to me than the folks in Akron" ... Akron has always been monster Cavs fans and not immaterial is the fact MANY Cavs players actually lived in and live in 'Akron' ... Nance, Hot Rod, Ehlo, Daugherty, Price, Bingo Smith...

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Gotta disagree with Akron seeing themselves separate from Cleveland... yes we'd prefer to not be lumped in.. for most parts.. but as far as professional sports, we have no choice...

Lebron will be viewed as Judas in Akron... forever as well...

He could possibly sway some if he continues to do local charities... but I suspect that will wane quickly... he'll drop out of the city completely...

Akron will not respond well to "I love Akron... I love Akron... oh wait, I can't carry a team myself... rings mean more to me than the folks in Akron" ... Akron has always been monster Cavs fans and not immaterial is the fact MANY Cavs players actually lived in and live in 'Akron' ... Nance, Hot Rod, Ehlo, Daugherty, Price, Bingo Smith...

Why would there be any expectation that James, or any athlete, should put his interest in rings, or any sports accomplishment under some sense of being good business for the home town?

If a highly skilled public defense lawyer takes a job with a New York law firm, is he letting down Cleveland? Is he obligated to forgo his own goals, whatever they may be, simply because he was of value to his home town?

 

[BB73]

Why would there be any expectation that James, or any athlete, should put his interest in rings, or any sports accomplishment under some sense of being good business for the home town?

If a highly skilled public defense lawyer takes a job with a New York law firm, is he letting down Cleveland? Is he obligated to forgo his own goals, whatever they may be, simply because he was of value to his home town?

I don't think an individual lawyer is a fair comparison. In terms of the impact to the area, it's more like a large manufacturing company leaving.

Once the Bulls were out of the playoffs, I was pulling for LeBron to bring Cleveland a championship. The way in which he left has caused me to probably never pull for him to win a title for the Heat. Although if they play Boston or LA in the playoffs, I'll have a tough decision.

I completely understand any Cavs fan that is pissed and will root against LeBron for the remainder of his career.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

I don't think an individual lawyer is a fair comparison. In terms of the impact to the area, it's more like a large manufacturing company leaving.

OK, maybe so. So what? If a mfg company can make more money closing up shop in one locale and moving to some other, aren't they obligated to do that (the shareholders interest being the metaphor for James' interest in rings, money, or whatever)?

I completely understand any Cavs fan that is pissed and will root against LeBron for the remainder of his career.

Oh, I get that too. No question about it. As a "pure fan" issue, totally legit. My quarrel is making it out to be something more than a simple sports issue. The guy plays basketball for a living. Nothing more, nothing less. Now, admittedly I don't follow NBA basketball and I hardly care at all who plays where... but... come on.. this is not anything more than a sports related betrayal..... as perceived by fans. Calling it anything more, in my opinion, gives James far too much "power" (Not sure what other word to use, but "power" isn't exactly what I mean to say, but it's closest)

 

[BayBuck]

Do we have a sociology forum I'm unaware of?

You should ask pennstate1985, I would think he's the moderator for that one.

 

[buckeyegrad]

Gotta disagree with Akron seeing themselves separate from Cleveland... yes we'd prefer to not be lumped in.. for most parts.. but as far as professional sports, we have no choice..

With basketball you are right, but I'm not sure about other sports. While the Browns have the clear majority of fans in Akron, I have met a lot more Steelers fans in the area than I would have ever guessed before I moved here.

Lebron will be viewed as Judas in Akron... forever as well...

He could possibly sway some if he continues to do local charities... but I suspect that will wane quickly... he'll drop out of the city completely...

Akron will not respond well to "I love Akron... I love Akron... oh wait, I can't carry a team myself... rings mean more to me than the folks in Akron" ... Akron has always been monster Cavs fans and not immaterial is the fact MANY Cavs players actually lived in and live in 'Akron' ... Nance, Hot Rod, Ehlo, Daugherty, Price, Bingo Smith...

Perhaps it is because I'm not a native, but I just don't get this attitude if he continues to support the city the way he has over the last seven years. Granted, if the charity work dries up due to an "abandonment" of the city, I get why Akron would turn on LeBron. But if it does not, why make him an outcast considering his potential to contribute to the city off the court has much more meaningful and long-term significance than any championship he would have brought to the Cavs?

 

[Mac]

cleveland : Bernie Kosar, former Browns quarterback, reacts to LeBron James deserting Cleveland sports fans: Terry Pluto blog

Good article from the Plain Dealer on Kosars reaction to the situation

 

[Bucklion]

I can certainly understand that perspective, and I would agree that people's livelihoods are certainly effected by his departure. I'm not so sure I am willing to take it so far, however (to the extent that the reasoning suggests that James "owes" anything to anyone on this metric). James, I don't think, has some sort of obligation to make sure some vendor can make a buck and feed his family. That's just way too much to rest on the shoulders of a single basketball player.

Again, as a fan - I certainly appreciate feelings of "he betrayed us!" But, in terms of some over reaching feeling of James "turning his back on" a city or a region.... That's just making a sports figure out to be something he isn't. Cleveland will still be around tomorrow. The Browns will still play this season. The Indians still will host baseball games. The flats will still be open for business, and restaurants will still serve food. What I mean to say, James isn't the only thing Cleveland had going for it. Was his presence beneficial? No doubt. But, I still can't reconcile his simply being a basketball player with some "larger purpose" or "obligation."

I wasn't saying he owed the vendors to stay, just that it impacts the lives of people around here a lot more than "some dude playing basketball leaving".

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

I wasn't saying he owed the vendors to stay, just that it impacts the lives of people around here a lot more than "some dude playing basketball leaving".

That's just it, though. He doesn't impact lives any more than some dude playing basketball for a living. It's what he is, it's what he does. That people were able to profit off that isn't his "problem"

We agree that people's lives - and I mean real lives, not sports interest - have been (or, will be) effected by this. I'm just resistant to making this whole thing bigger than it is. Cleveland... Akron.... NE Ohio... is NOT LeBron James. It never has been, it never was, and it never will be.