LeBron Embarrasses Cleveland

“We are removing the LeBron James Witness mural in downtown Cleveland and expect the process to be completed within a few days.”  -KeJuan Wilkins, Nike spokesman, July 11, 2010

“Bye Bye LeBron,” my sister texted me from her home in Chicago the night the Cavs lost their final playoff game

So long, LeBron. Source: Google

to the Celtics.  Now, a week after LeBron made his Decision, most people around this city have accepted and moved on from the fact that a hometown hero has made his choice to leave the very town that loved him so dearly.

The buzz has settled down, and now apart from the jokes and spoofs, it’s “old news” that will resurface at the beginning of next season.  Is there anything else left to say?

Yes, there is: the way LeBron handled his public Decision was not only an embarrassment to himself, it was a slap in the face to Cleveland.  Sadly, this is exactly the kind of publicity we don’t want:  a national reminder of how it seems all good things/people leave Cleveland for the hope of something better.  It almost feels like an Eeyore moment; “Whoa as Cleveland.”

What makes Clevelanders look like fools is the way we rallied behind our Chosen One and conveyed a message that went viral of love, support, and loyalty.  Now, in retrospect, the way LeBron handled himself makes our town, and the people, look silly.  Last Friday at a Miami Heat rally, Miami player Chris Bosh said he had been talking about this moment with LeBron (the moment of LeBron joining the Heat) for “months.”  He quickly caught himself, and revised his statement to “days.”

Nice try, but it slipped and the damage is done.  That statement lets Clevelanders know that while they were

No one was smiling in Cleveland. Source: Google

supporting the message of “loyalty” and “home,” there’s a good chance LeBron already had his mind made up.  LeBron wants a championship, and he has his reasons for going to Miami.  None of us are in his shoes, so it can be easy to criticize and hard to look at the decision objectively.

But what LeBron did have control over is how the announcement was handled.  I feel that his publicity team handled the announcement poorly and that in the end, no matter what city you’re from or cheering for, it reflected poorly upon LBJ.  Yes, money was raised for charity, but in my opinion, LeBron could blink and raise money for charity.  ESPN got publicity, but in all likelihood the cable giant would have been the most-watched for the announcement regardless of a hour special or not.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Dan Gilbert over-road what I’m positive was his own

Dan Gilbert Source: Google

panicked PR team and released his official letter to the fans that night via the Cavs official website.  Hats off to Mr. Gilbert for at least helping ease the hurt that Cleveland was feeling that night (I say that as a heartbroken Clevelander).  “Do you understand how much heat (no pun intended) we’ll get for this?!” is what the PR professional in me wanted to say (scream!), imagining I was part of his PR team as I read that letter.

Like Art Modell moving the Browns to Baltimore in 1997, this too will pass, but will not be forgotten.  It will always leave a bad taste in the mouth of Clevelanders.  Dan Gilbert now has a lot resting on his shoulders; he made a lofty promise to Cleveland that we will win a championship before Miami does.

My feelings are that LeBron probably hasn’t looked back since heading to Miami last Thursday night.  Shame on you, LeBron, for handling the situation in such a tasteless manner.  You gave Cleveland publicity, alright, just not the kind we want or deserve.

Advertisement