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This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become. But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio. The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.- Cleveland Cavaliers Owner, Dan Gilbert
As I watch the LeBron James saga unfold, fans on television burning his jersey, team owners embarrassing themselves, and sports columnists sounding like a group of self-righteous Catholic Priests, I find myself stunned. People are wondering if LeBron's image will be tarnished forever, and whether he is suddenly a narcissistic and misguided jerk. This was hardly the conversation just a few months ago, and for some reason, the tone has shifted dramatically now that LeBron has the audacity to believe that he is the one who is in control of his own life.
I was shocked to see the public reaction to LeBron's decision, at least by those who have the nerve to be angry with him. Mind you, his decision to have a one hour, televised special might have been a bit much, but it's not as if the entire world wasn't waiting for his announcement. LeBron is one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA and he worked like no other to bring a championship to Cleveland without getting the support he deserved. Cav's owner Dan Gilbert's decision to blast James in public has put a serious curse on the team, to the point that I am sure the other owners and coach Byron Scott are wondering what they've gotten themselves into. Gilbert's promise that his team would bring home a title before LeBron not only fires up LeBron James, it will also make Dan Gilbert look that much worse when no serious free agent ever considers coming to his city. Nobody wants to play for a tyrant who attacks you for making a personal decision.
The haterology on LeBron surely weighs heavy on his mind, given that I truly believe that LeBron is not the kind of athlete who can easily overlook this kind of negative scrutiny. Growing up as an only child, he wants to be accepted and appreciated, which is much of what makes him such a team player. I am sure that hearing these negative comments will drive LeBron to play that much harder next year for Miami, and I guarantee he'll have a title in less than two years.
One other thing that King James has working in his favor is the rule of professional sports: "If you win, we forgive all sin." So, if Kobe Bryant can come back from serious rape allegations by winning a couple of titles, LeBron James can surely come back from this. The public backlash will be temporary and only serves to pique the public interest in the next NBA season.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (24)
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By: kanonq on 7/09/2010 8:18PM
== M i x e d M a t c h i n g . C o m == The wonderful place where you can mingle with hot singles who are looking to date outside their race. Find your partner here whether they reside within your own neighborhood or abroad.
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By: All Winners LOVE Winners aka BABYFACE on 7/09/2010 8:27PM
Are You That DESPERATE?
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By: ADMR on 7/09/2010 8:23PM
LET'S: Here's Something POSITIVE....ICE Cube, Formely Of NWA did an EXCELLENT Interview broadcast this Evening.....
He Reflected on His WIFE whom he has been Committed to for 18 years, having a FATHER In his LIFE, how Hollywood Is "Mesmerized" with the Buffunory ( his words) of Black Programming/Movies & he Repped EASY E Of Course.
Wish Him & His The Best
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By: PAUL LAWRENCE on 7/09/2010 8:29PM
I find it very strange that owners are allowed to hide behind the words business decision when trading players, but player's are not able to use those words even when they are free agents!!!! This man gave cleveland 7 good year's and they could not surround him with a supporting cast with championship ability. This owner needs to MAN up and go find another CASH COW!!!!!!!!
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By: topaz on 7/10/2010 8:48AM
he left cleveland because d.west screwed his mami and took it out on gilbert and organization. this plan was in the works for weeks or months because he gave away boston games coz his momma was screwing west. when they came back from boston, d.west and lebron were fighting at the cleveland hopkins airport. gilbert had the most money to offer him meaning 43 millions for years and he stabbed him and fans in the back. i hope that kobe and rest of the cats from league will whoop his butt because karma is a bitch! cleveland hasn't done anything to him but made him a millionare for years. dan gilbert and cavs organization isn't responisble for his momma actions so lebron should have went after her not blaming dan gilbert. he made an ass out of JAY-Z, KNICKS, NETS AND CHICAGO knowing that he was leaving cleveland for miami. i can't stand him at all. michael jordan stated yesterday about lebron" from greatness to fakeness"!
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By: Angela on 7/09/2010 9:25PM
Paul, I wholeheartedly agree with you. When he was filling the arena with sold-out games, he was the MAN. Now, that he has moved on, he's every name in the book. Those so called fans are just showing their true colors even the owner. The Cavaliers don't what to spend any money to get him any help. Like he stated last night, this is a business. When you fill that you have done all that you can on a job, it's time to move on. I think that he made a GREAT "decision." He wants a championship. They might not get it this year, however you can count on them in the finals 2012! The new BIG THREE. GO HEAT!! :)
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By: genesis on 7/09/2010 9:10PM
I agree. These people need to fall back. They act as if this man took from something from them.The nerve of them!.
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By: topaz on 7/10/2010 8:54AM
Lebron told Dan Gilbert to get shaq, mo williams, and jamieson which didn't accomplished anyway. cleveland owner offered him 43 millions dollars for years yet this son of a bitch took a pay cut for a title? are you kidding me? the nba union will get after lebron because its affecting their contract. he made 17 million here so why protect the owner? lebron has no business sense nor wisdom so karma will be heading its way!
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By: Cold Sweat on 7/09/2010 11:33PM
The media is responsible for this entire ridiculous fiasco. The public has bought in to the circus-like OVERHYPING of LeBron James. That's why the whole world was watching, and that's why he had a needless stage to announce something so simple as a change of teams. Yes, he is a great player, but the media treats him like their personal Jesus, a Saviour of basketball, as if basketball needed saving. The only people really hating him are the residents of OHIO. It's not that his image is tarnished, it is his "BRAND", the whole idea of "King James", and "The Chosen One." It's not a problem that he left to go win championships, because Cleveland didn't surround him with the RIGHT help. Cleveland did TRY. It's not the front office's fault if the players they brought in did not step up in the playoffs, nor is it LeBron's. This idea that he hasn't had great players around him is prepostorous. There were THREE other all-stars on the Cavs just last season, and the starting lineup has changed every year since the 2006-07 season. There is no hate; it is the fact that he is now on D.WADE'S team, not his own. And many believe, like myself, that the real "Kings" of the NBA do not leave their teams to go join forces with another. Jordan didn't leave, others came to ride with him. Same with Kobe. If he's supposed to be the best in the game, why does he LEAVE HIS team instead of making Cleveland bring in the players HE NEEDS/WANTS to win? Cleveland would have, and had been doing, any and everything to keep him. But this off-season, the one that mattered most, they did NOTHING, but beg, and make corny videos pleading with him to stay, while all the other teams clamoring for him made moves to attract him to come to their respective clubs. Hence, he bounces. So Cleveland, and Gilbert, have noone to blame but themselves. But, that's the backlash and disappointment in LeBron, that he won't be able to do it as THE #1 GUY on HIS team. THAT is the criticism he now faces, and I'm sorry, but it is warranted, BECAUSE of the media hype and the public following of that hype that has surrounded him his entire career, and needlessly so. That has nothing to do with hate, or being a fan from Ohio, which I am not. It's so ridiculous how emotional people in Cleveland became based on this. It's pathetic. His image isn't tarnished, but the "LeBron Brand" most certainly is. It remains to be seen how his legacy will unfold.
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By: tonya on 7/10/2010 3:04AM
While I agree with some of your points, let's face facts. Cleveland is not Chicago, nor is it LA. He TRIED to recruit top tier free agents to his team, but Cleveland is not a desirable destination for free agents. Also, I don't know if the word "all-star" comes to mind when I think of his team mates. No disrespect to Mo Williams, Delonte West, Antwuan Jamison, etc., but they simply did NOT show up when it mattered for several playoff appearances. LBJ "divorced" the Cleveland Cavaliers because at the end of the day, they were not fulfilling his most basic need....to win an NBA championship. While the fashion in which he did it was tacky and extremely unprofessional, he IS only 25 and definitely should learn from his mistakes. And last, we don't know WHOSE team Miami is until the season starts. For all we know, Bosh could be the one that excels this upcoming season. It's contradictory to call this young man narcissistic and ego-driven, but question his decision to "share" the spotlight with others? Isn't Kobe ego-driven and selfish?...yet we cheer for the LA Lakers. Wasn't Michael labeled aloof and brutal behind closed doors? The point is that all "stars," regardless of talent, will possess some character flaw. They are human. LBJ, so far, has all of his children by one mother, is not populating the gossip sites with groupies, doesn't abuse drugs or alcohol and for the most part, seems to respect the celebrity handed to him. Let's celebrate that, admonish him quietly for lacking the proper etiquette when quitting an organization and then move on.
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