Cleveland does, in fact, deserve LeBron James: While We’re Waiting

One of the more asinine lines I read on the internet is “Cleveland does not deserve LeBron James.” The theory behind that is tied to James’ departure in 2010, and the media snapshot of fans burning jerseys and curse-filled obscene tirades into the camera that went national. Cleveland then carried an ungrateful stigma that somehow meant they now didn’t deserve someone they poured their heart and soul into. Then 2014 happened amidst great repair and we were all reminded just how much Cleveland DID deserve their homegrown hero.

Now, I recognize that LeBron grew up in Akron but the birthplace of LeBron has grown beyond the Rubber City. He has outgrown the Northeast Ohio region. LeBron has grown to become the pride of an entire state. We all claim to be a part of his home. Arguably the single greatest player to ever put on basketball shoes is from our state, from our area in the world.

When I was growing up in a small city north of Columbus, I loved playing sports. I was always fond of baseball and football, largely because of the 90’s Indians success, and I loved throwing a football and pretending to be Brett Favre–the Browns had left. But my passions was basketball and it was centered around Michael Jordan. I lost countless hours on my deck out back shooting fade away jumps shots with a shoulder shimmy pretending to be “MJ”. I fell in love with Space Jam, and I even wanted that 90’s era hoop earring he wore.

Then, I grew up some to my middle school years, and it was a night at Value City Center when I was in 8th grade that changed my basketball life. I had heard of LeBron James from his media appearances and his two state championships the year’s prior at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, but I had yet to actually see it. See the myth that he was in person. That night was something I will never forget. LeBron and his group played an extremely talented Brookhaven team that night. Brookhaven would later send Drew Lavender and Brandon Foust to Oklahoma, so the match up was highly regarded.

What I witnessed, though, was something more than an average high school sporting event. The building was sold out, 18,000 people worth, to watch a high school kid play a game. I had been to Ohio State University basketball games with less people in the stands. It was the way LeBron handled himself, the bravado, the cockiness, the showmanship. I just knew right then and there that this guy was going to be something more than just a high school phenom. I can’t quite describe the feeling in that arena that night, but it was palpable and I couldn’t believe this guy was just five years older than me. He was truly superhuman.

Fast forward 15 years and here we still are with this Ohio legend. He grew into the player we all hoped he would be. He grew into the man we all hoped he would be. And he grew into the person we all hoped he would be. LeBron James is more than Akron, Ohio. He is the entire state of Ohio, and he makes us all proud on a daily basis.

I have a young son who won’t be old enough to remember James the way I can recall Michael Jordan from my early childhood. But the best thing for me is that nearly all of James escapades will be encapsulated on the internet and we will be forever able to relive the legend that LeBron James currently is. The type of legend who has the confidence to shoot one foot runners from 15 feet away, off the glass, to break an entire country’s heart.

#WhateverItTakes @KingJames hits a clutch game-winner against the clock! pic.twitter.com/OlXPuR3al3

— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) May 6, 2018

So, sit back and enjoy these last five years with peak LeBron. Don’t over-analyze him next to Kobe Bryant or next to Jordan. Sit back and just enjoy the player he has become – the complete player. Sit back and enjoy the man he has become, one who has launched an initiative to send so many young people to college for free. Sit back and enjoy the family man he is. One who is setting the standard for so many fathers to follow. And believe this: Cleveland, and every part of Ohio, deserves LeBron James.