We were witnesses to a franchise being given a major boost by a young superstar.
Then:
Now:
Now we are witnesses to the dismantling and rebuilding of that same franchise.
Among the various forms of rioting going on in Cleveland this summer, they are now removing King James from their daily lives, and their city.
I think this sums it up the best way possible:
I recently wrote a column about the James situation, and dubbed him a cop-out. I largely still feel that way. His once beloved city does as well. They're getting rid of his gear, jerseys, and other apparel.
Now comes the rebuilding process. What's next for a city, whose team value has just been chopped in half, and roster has been decimated? If the team couldn't win a championship with LeBron as the leader, how do you expect them to fare with Williams, Varejao, Jamison, etc.? The ten best free agents have already been taken in this class.
The Heat are likely signing Mike Miller, a great perimeter threat. Fisher is likely visiting just to get a better offer from Los Angeles. None of the top guys left are projected to play for Cleveland at this point, except for Shaq. I don't feel that he counts. Between my plain analysis, and extreme bias, Shaq is done, and did more to hurt Cleveland than he did to help them this past year.
Now, just as the international soccer clubs have done at this year's FIFA World Cup, the Cleveland Cavaliers must write...er...re-write their future. Instead of winning them a title, LeBron was None-and-Done.
Now, we wait.
