Op-Ed: LeBron James Betrayed Cleveland? Think Again.

Cleveland - LeBron James, one of the most sought-after free agents in NBA history, made his decision to sign with the Miami Heat for undisclosed terms. But does leaving Cleveland mean LeBron has betrayed his home town?

LeBron is taking more Heat than he expected, and perhaps more than he deserves. LeBron James, one of the most sought-after free agents in NBA history, made his decision to sign with the Miami Heat for undisclosed terms. Many NBA fans had a feeling he wasn’t going to be in Cleveland after their second round ouster in May. Many Cleveland fans probably knew it in their hearts that he was probably done. But does leaving Cleveland mean LeBron has betrayed his home town? Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert thinks so. He published an open letter to Cavs fans, stating that they were betrayed and “King James” quit on them during the playoffs. He called LeBron’s departure a cowardly betrayal and was disappointed in the way he left. Gilbert referred to the “curse” in Cleveland has now moved down south. He’s probably talking about how Cleveland hasn’t won a championship in any sport since 1964 when the Browns won the NFL championship. What Dan Gilbert has omitted so far, however, was exactly what LeBron did for Cleveland. LeBron James, arguably the most exciting NBA player today, averaged more than 27 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in seven years with the Cavaliers. These numbers were apparent in the first three seasons with Cleveland when LeBron was paid the rookie maximum contract (a little more than $4 million per year) and before he signed a contract extension to stay even longer. Cleveland was 17-65 in 2002-2003. When they drafted LeBron, the Cavs doubled their wins the next year and James won Rookie of the Year. They lost future All-Star player Carlos Boozer the next year and the Cavs still improved their win total to 42 games. The Cavs made the playoffs in the 2005-2006 season and almost made it to the conference finals. LeBron is also a two-time NBA MVP, which isn't given to the highest scoring player but the one who makes the most impact. It’s no secret that winning sports teams can improve the local economy. And winning superstars can boost it even more. How much money did Cleveland make from James in the first three seasons? They certainly weren't selling out arenas before LeBron. And wouldn’t you think that a young player who helped the Cavs turn around their franchise from worst team to championship contenders before the age of 21 could go to another team with a bigger market and larger paycheck? But he didn’t. He extended his contract for four more years to stay in his hometown and try again. And what did the Cavs do? They added some role players but couldn’t land LeBron a legitimate, every-game complementary player. Yet James still took them to the playoffs and even an NBA Finals championship. They landed him a great coach in Mike Brown, who won more regular season games the last two years than every other NBA team…and then fired him at the end of a disappointing playoff series. Although LeBron’s ESPN special may have been overinflated, he had no bad things to say about Cleveland. He never condemned Cleveland’s ownership for not coming through with getting him another healthy superstar (Shaq doesn’t count) or complementary player. He never condemned the fans. His basketball camps- which make LeBron a role model, despite Mr. Gilbert’s opposing assertion- could have been opened elsewhere or not at all. His announcement could have been in Miami or in a prominent venue, as opposed to a Boys and Girls Club in Connecticut. He didn’t condemn the town that he helped make money even during his high school years and AAU games. LeBron didn’t seek greener pastures in New Jersey, New York or with the Clippers, where he would have been paid large sums of money. Instead he left for Miami, a team that resigned a former champion Dwyane Wade and another league superstar in Chris Bosh. All three took a pay cut to make it happen. He’s also under the tutelage of team president Pat Riley, a man who’s led teams to five championships, to include the Heat. Mr. James fulfilled his contract and stayed longer than he deserved. A player of his caliber could have saved his body to play harder for a more viable team, yet he stayed. He could have been one-and-done with a college team outside of Ohio, but he stuck around. Mr. Gilbert should consider revising his definition of disloyalty. And perhaps consider his definition of "hypocrite". To quote his statement after firing Mike Brown:

"...Although change always carries an element of risk, there are times when that risk must be taken in an attempt to break through to new, higher levels of accomplishment.This is one of those times."