If you’re not from Cleveland, you need to understand. LeBron James fuels our economy. Heck, LeBron James is our economy.
He’s our tourist industry, too.
Have you seen the massive Nike posters that yearly adorn the tallest skyscrapers in our city? Okay, so there are only two of them. But one of our two skyscrapers has his face plastered all over it, and that pretty much sums up how important The King is to Cleveland (and, really, most of Ohio).
Right now if you’re a Cavs fan, you’d have to be masochistic to expose yourself to the news. Headlines range from “LeBron is LeGone” (very funny, guys) to “Welcome to Cleveland’s worst nightmare” (thanks, that was a nice touch).
And every publication in America has dug up a quote that their secret decoder rings tell them is a clear indication “The King” will soon call their hometown his new castle.
“I think we all love Chicago,” trumpets a stand-alone quote in the Chicago Tribune, attributed to LBJ. “Great restaurants. Great shopping. I go on vacation in Chicago sometimes.”
Wow. Basically, LeBron likes your deep-dish style pizza, Chicago. I’m certain that means LeBron is trying to tell you in covert cryptogram that he intends to be a Bull next year.
Then there was this gem from an observer on one newspaper’s message board: “Let LeBron go to New York. Cleveland will still love him.”
Excuse me. Have you met Cleveland? We still won’t let former Browns owner Art Modell be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, which, sadly for Modell, happens to be in Canton.
Canton, Ohio.
At the same time, Clevelanders are coming to grips with the fact that LBJ has an important decision to make before July. A decision that doesn’t just affect northeastern Ohio, but much of the NBA, really.
I mean, how often is a superstar like this up for grabs?
And this particular Cavs fan is just sadistic enough to want to record every step of the way: the rumors, the gossip, the speculation, the hints … all of it.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to LeBromageddon, the end and the beginning. Judgment Day? July 1.
