Sports can bring out some less than rational actions. I don’t get it when people turn violent over the outcome of a game, but I can understand how it will twist up all other kinds of emotions. Take last night’s NBA game in Cleveland for example.
LeBron James, in case you have lived under a rock recently, played his first game in Cleveland since he publicly declared he was “taking his talents to South Beach” in order to play for the Miami Heat instead of re-signing with the Cavs. The struggling Heat won, but the crowd rode James for the entire night, directing boos and creative chants at the star.
Some may consider this behavior juvenile, but I can’t cast a stone in the direction of the fans who vented their spleens at that game. You see, I was one of them a long time ago. On September 11, 1983, I went to the now-demolished Memorial Stadium in Baltimore and chanted “Elway Sucks” for what seems like four hours when Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway brought the Denver Broncos to play the Colts, just a few months after refusing to play in my hometown.
I was 15 at the time and went to the game with my oldest brother and my oldest nephew, who was just 8 at the time. I will never forget the gleeful look on his face as he chanted along with the crowd, knowing this was the reward for going out with two uncles instead of his parents.
I didn’t really think of the game until i started watching the Heat-Cavs game and immediately went back in my mind to that afternoon. The post I linked to earlier described the day better than I can. I don’t remember it being hot, but I looked up the weather data, and it was a scorcher.
I’m glad I couldn’t find any video of the game online because I prefer to remember the deafening chant never ending from the time we arrived until the game ended. I don’t want to bring logic and reality into this memory. That’s not why we follow sports sometimes. Just ask the folks in Cleveland.
Dustin – Yes, he does
Cory – I agree. He could have made strides with so many fans with one simple gesture – not doing the talc thing. First of all, it’s stupid. Second of all, in that situation you’re just flipping off the crowd. You’re one of the best players in the world. It is not an integral part of your pre-game routine. It’s an integral part of your ego.
Dave – My therapist says if I don’t believe it happened, it didn’t happen.
Whew. When I saw the title of this post I thought it would be about you wanting to grope the black dude from Family Guy.
LeBron is still a little child. And you know what perfectly symbolizes this? His headband. He won’t let go of the past. He’s worn that thing since his prep days and still continues to wear it. Maybe he feels like it’s a part of his image, but all it does is make him look like a little buffoon. Kids wear headbands. Kids who are coddled. Kids who get everything they want. Kids who are selfish. That’s LeBron.
He’s a big jerk. Last night he could have been self-aware of the situation, could have just played his own game. He could have still scored 38 points and looked like the bigger man if he played with some modesty. But he didn’t. He antagonized the crowd, the Cavs, their owner and continued to be the little child he’s been since he signed with Miami.
But Elway does suck.