| 16 July 2010
The past week has been a furore of speculation. A week that's run the gamut of catastrophe to jubilation... depending on what fanbase you're from. Now the mad scramble for pieces.
So, the impact of LeBron's "Decision" and the Super Friends?
"... a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
- Shakespeare's Macbeth, act 5. sc. 5
Basically... not much. At least... not immediately. Perhaps some might feel that I'm being at least a little harsh by the above quote, but let me explain...
Firstly, the full first line is "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player..." it's not necessarily a reference to an individual, tho' by the absence of the first 5 words, I'm lending it that way. I'll freely admit that the double entendre is intended. And clearly, the line "That struts and frets his hour upon the stage" fits the situation nicely.
But it's more in relation to how LeBron manufactured his shift to Miami, rather than the move itself. Many have defended LeBron, stating that it's completely his right to move to a team where he thinks he has a better chance to win. I wholeheartedly agree.
However, I did take issue with the necessity of the spotlight to be shone quite so brightly, and the callous disregard of a fanbase that had placed him on a pedestal. It was... distasteful.
More than anything else - it reminded me of Fredo Corleone's death. Watching, you know it's coming, but when it happens, it's saddening. Fredo going fishing, thinks he's safe right up until the moment Anthony's called away... then he just 'knows'.
"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners..."
...
BANG.
Silence...
And that's that. The anger's washed away, and there's nothing left but the emptiness of a brother's inexorable death.
It was the same for Cleveland.
I get the initial outburst of anger. I even get Dan Gilbert's misguided attempt at fortifying the franchise post-James (ok... I don't get the Comic Sans). Definitely an attempt to exorcise the very demons that LeBron running leaves Cleveland to contend with.
But I think that soon Cleveland will fall into that same fatalistic melancholy that is a part of the city's genetic make-up. Only this time, haning over their heads will be the success of the "Super Friends" in Miami. Those that burnt a Cavs #23 - whether literally or figuratively - can't help but wonder as they watch the wins pile up for the Heat,
"What if..."
One can only wonder if LeBron James will be wracked with guilt, much the same way Michael Corleone was post his betrayal. Some how... I doubt it. Cleveland (the team, the city, the fanbase) were a party to the creation of who LeBron James is now, and inevitably, they had their own "Et tu" moment. Any regrets LeBron feels will be assuaged by the glitter of South Beach.
He'd do well to remember, all that glitters is not gold.
