“It’s been three years already?”
That is what I was
asking myself as I watched the Miami Heat beat my Cavs on a mid-February
Sunday. The Miami Heat is in the middle of their third season, and what is
looking to be their third straight NBA Finals appearance, and my Cavs? They are
in the opposite direction, looking at a third straight Top-5 pick.
It has been almost
three years since “the King of Akron” made his infamous Decision. Three years
since the heart of Cleveland sports was torn out and stomped on by its own
golden child. Three years ago, the kid we watched grow into arguably the best
player in the world, destroyed his image, the little hope that northeast Ohio
sports fans had in ending the drought of championships since 1964, and the
future of basketball as a whole in this area.
After almost three
years, I can still remember Decision day exactly. The feelings that arose after
hearing where those talents were heading are still remembered. The irony that
was found as my father and I were burning our memorabilia in the backyard,
reading my Nike shirt that said “Local Hero”. The smashing of bobble heads,
burning of posters, magazines, and cards did little to cover up the wound that
was shared by people across my state.
It has been a quick but
painful three seasons; seeing that one guy win his first title, the losing
streak, our leading scorer Antawn Jamison. What is not forgotten is how lucky
we were at the same time, trading for Baron Davis and a first round pick that
ultimately got us Kyrie Irving. Irving has already proven to be a Top 10 point
guard, and arguably Top 5. He is only 20 years old. Rumors are already starting
about 2014 and what could possible happen, being an Irving-James pairing after
James opts out of his contract.
Anyone who has any
knowledge of basketball would know that Cleveland would be the best basketball
decision for James. And if anyone is a Cavs fan at all, they cannot deny the
fact that they wouldn’t even think twice about wanting LeBron on our team. It
has been almost three years. For the sake of wanting a championship, you should
be able to put aside the way LeBron left our city if it meant him slamming lob
after lob from Kyrie. The rants from Michael Reghi yelling “Flight Number 23
for takeoff!” that can only be heard on highlight reels would be yelled again.
Austin Carr emphatically yelling “Get that weak stuff outta here!” after every
LeBron chase down would be celebrated.
All of this would be
possible. With that being said, this would have to be a different run. No
billboards covering entire sides of buildings. No cherishing a King, instead of
a team. This will be Kyrie’s group. If we ever get too caught up in what is
being in front of us, if we feel “spoiled” by someone’s play, we have to think
back, to July 8th, 2010. It must remain in our minds. Because even though
it’s been three years, the wounds are still fresh, and would be even more
vulnerable to being reopened.