Well this is weird.
Maybe it’s because the sports fans of Cleveland have been down this road before. Maybe it’s because two years ago they finally got that first-ever Cavaliers championship – and the first title of any kind in over half a century for the city.
Or maybe they’re just resigned to the fact Lebron James is going to leave them again.
If he does, it almost feels like this time he’ll skip town with a collective "thanks fo coming back" and, gulp, even the blessing of many.
In 2010, in the wake of the ill-advised and cringe-worthy "Decision" broadcast, No. 23 Cavs jerseys were burned in the streets, children cried, adults cursed the King’s name (and cried), and the Cavs owner publicly ripped on the man that put pro hoops back on the map in "The Land."
With Game 4 of this NBA Finals potentially his last with the team, there wasn’t much anger – even potential anger – to be found around town between the loss in Game 3 Wednesday and the dawn of Friday’s Game 4.
Headlines in local newspaper suggested (very nicely) that people take it all in; enjoy what might be the final time one of the greatest athletes ever represents their city. Even with the team about to be easily pushed aside for a second straight Finals, the mood was even keeled.
Thursday, as a possible preemptive strike, and knowing the potentially judgement-clouding emotion that will no doubt surface in the wake of season’s end, James spoke at length about a need for more firepower around him to beat the mighty Warriors. It was well thought out, calmly delivered and, let’s face it – true.
The last time he recognized a talent dearth in Cleveland, he took his own "talents" to South Beach. In the process he went from most popular figure in Ohio to most hated (beyond maybe Ben Roethlisberger, whose picture they flash on the Quicken Loans Arena big screen when an opponent goes to the free throw line.)
But LBJ’s return four years later quickly returned him to King status, and that improbable comeback to win the 2016 Finals seems to have earned him enough collateral to never be cursed at or cried over again.
In talking to Cleveland fans and media who have watched his every move since high school, you get the real sense they’re over the anger and they could never hate the man again.
Not to mention, of course, they will really love him if he decides to stay.
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