The early summer of 2014 was a whirlwind. An emotional rollercoaster that would only get crazier over the next four years. The chase for LeBron James was on, and the Cleveland Cavaliers were somehow in the mix, because we all remember how LeBron’s first stint with them ended.
James and his Miami Heat had just lost the NBA Finals handedly to the Spurs. That June, the Cavs had the No. 1 pick in the draft. There was reason for hope, but Cavs fans were scared to get hooked on the dream of LeBron returning to Cleveland. The fear of getting their hearts ripped out again was too much. The memories of The Decision were still fresh. Yet, as late June bled into early July, it seemed more and more possible. There was flight tracking. Shirtless trainer Twitter guys had sources. Cupcake owners had inside info. The days dragged on. The internet was dying for any information on LeBron’s intentions. So much so that a video of LeBron and Dwyane Wade at an airport at 3 a.m. was broken down like the Zapruder Film. It was a wild time.
Then came July 11, 2014. “In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned.” Those were the first words written by LeBron James in Sports Illustrated in his announcement that he was returning home. I remember the moment I clicked that Lee Jenkins article like it was yesterday. It was a normal Friday. I was sitting on my couch chatting with my editor about random shit in the music industry. I vividly remember screaming, “Is this fucking real?” All I could hear was the breaking news music on ESPN, and my text messages going crazy. It was a total blur. LeBron actually did it. He actually came home.
The rest of that summer felt like the days didn’t move. Time dragged as the Cavs traded Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love—which was the right move then and today, go debate your uncle—and built up LeBron’s latest superteam to take on the NBA. You all know the rest of what happened up until this point. There were coach firings, subtweets, soup bowls thrown at assistant coaches, trade demands, reshaped rosters, lots of Dion Waiters, yet not enough Dion Waiters, and everything else you could imagine.
The pinnacle of the last four years for Cavs fans was June 19, 2016, when James delivered Cleveland its first championship in over 50 years. No singular person has brought more joy to the area, and I highly doubt anyone will be able to come close anytime soon.
All this to say, if LeBron does indeed leave the Cavs a second time, like many expect, I wish him nothing but happiness. Be happy, Bron. Let me first say that LeBron needs no permission to do anything. Obviously not from me, but not from anyone else, either. He can do whatever he wants. In my eyes, he’s the greatest basketball player ever. I’m simply pointing out that no matter what his next move may be, if he’s happy, I’m happy for him.
Because the happiness that No. 23 has brought me as a basketball fan is almost unexplainable. Certain moments still make me stop and just sit in amazement. Moments that most people won’t even think of. Like LeBron going off for 55 points against the Bucks during a random February game in 2009. Of course, the big ones stand out. I still can’t think about June 2016 without tearing up a little bit. Or even a lot. Being in Cleveland the night of Game 7 was something I’ll never forget. LeBron delivered.
The kid from Akron with the biggest expectations of all time for a high school basketball player has lived up to everything he was supposed to be and then some. On and off the court, LeBron has proven to be a role model for kids around the world in ways that nobody could have imagined.
So as this chapter is probably coming to an end, I feel a variety of emotions. There’s joy for the good times, but also sadness that it’s ending. Sadness because LeBron’s tenure as a basketball player on my favorite team is likely coming to an end. Thus, a chapter of myself is ending as well. I will obviously still watch the Cavs, but it won’t be the same. It can never be the same, and that’s part of what makes No. 23 so special.
I don’t want to get too deep, but life is fucked up sometimes. Bad things happen that you have to deal with. But for a good part of my adult life I’ve always been able to have the escape of cheering for LeBron. Moments he’s authored have brought me closer to those around me. It’s helped heal wounds mourning lost loved ones. It may sound cliche or corny, but LeBron means that much to me and a lot of people I know.
So thank you for everything, LeBron. Even if do somehow end up staying with the Cavs, thank you, regardless. You didn’t have to, but you delivered on everything you’ve ever promised to Cleveland.
