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Cleveland Cavaliers: Love Or Hate LeBron James?

By Stephen Findley

June 2, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) speaks to media following the 110-77 loss against Golden State Warriors in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
June 2, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) speaks to media following the 110-77 loss against Golden State Warriors in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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“The Decision” could have been named “The Disaster” for most Cleveland Cavaliers fans. But now that the King has returned and the Cavs are in the midst of their second straight finals appearance, do Cavs fans love or hate LeBron James?

Cleveland Cavaliers fans could be easily forgiven for having a love-hate relationship with LeBron James. For seven straight seasons (2003-10), those fans witnessed LeBron James grow on the basketball court and become the undisputed face of Cleveland.

However, James’ departure following the 2009-10 NBA season was met with shock, disappointment and anger by Cleveland fans. At the time, James seemed fully aware of the backlash he might face (via cleveland.com):

"“This is a business and I had seven great years in Cleveland. I hope the fans understand; maybe they won’t.”"

Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert was not so gracious. In his open letter to fans (via ESPN.com) after James’ departure, Gilbert referred to James as the “former hero,” telling Cleveland fans, “You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.”

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James returned to Cleveland for the start of the 2014-15 NBA season. So have the fans in Cleveland forgotten and forgiven? Has winning cured all? Or will it take an NBA championship?

Back in January, before the Cavs parted ways with David Blatt, Peter Krouse of Cleveland.com published an article about trading James. James, now 31, could begin to decline over the next few years but the article was a shock — trade one of the best players in the game!

Was it ever suggested over the last 12 months that the Oklahoma City Thunder should trade Kevin Durant?

Krouse cited James’ savior-complex preventing the team from developing chemistry. I remember when James’ willingness to pass was the problem, preventing him from becoming the takeover-style player like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan before him.

May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) goes up to dunk for a basket over Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) in the second quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) goes up to dunk for a basket over Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) in the second quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Conversely, Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer asks fans to appreciate what James has done in taking this Cleveland team to the NBA Finals two years in a row.

While most of the focus at the moment is around James’ Finals record (2-4), we should reflect on the amount of work it takes just to make the NBA Finals, a feat many players never get to experience:

"“We’re not supposed to be here. We earned the right to be here. We work our tails off every single day. We commit to one another and sacrifice for one another.” — LeBron James"

The Gottman Institute compared Cleveland’s relationship with James to that of a marriage, going so far as to offer advice on rebuilding trust in such circumstances. Given the reaction of many fans when James left for the Miami Heat, some professional advice might have been prudent!

Respect for LeBron James seems to be the consensus among Cleveland fans. Many disagreed with the way he left but they sympathized with his situation — a truly great player, in his prime but without the supporting cast to win a championship.

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This is a stance that James himself seems content with:

And, championship or not, that appears the way it will stay for Cleveland fans.

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