Thursday, September 11, 2008

Loyalty

Much has been said lately about a certain guy who wears his loyalties on his sleeves (and hats too). The city of Cleveland has an issue with their star LeBron James rooting for teams other than those in Cleveland. LeBron has been seen wearing a Yankees cap on several occasions, says that he grew up loving the Chicago Bulls, and he supports 'America's Team', the Dallas Cowboys. A lot of people point out that LeBron is from Cleveland and should give the home teams some love (Browns and Indians). WHY is this a big deal? When he was growing up the Browns weren't that good, the Bulls were killing those good Cavs teams and the Indians were the Indians. I grew up and rooted for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins. I actually grew up in between those states on the Eastern seaboard. I rooted for the Bulls until a family member played against them in the Finals. I don't even like baseball that much, but I rooted for the Braves. We all have allegiances. I have an uncle that roots for, now get this, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Carolina Panthers. Figure that out if you can. LeBron grew up watching Jordan destroy the league and have a certain swagger about him. Those Bulls teams dominated people. I'm sure that now when LeBron plays the Bulls he doesn't ease up on them because he grew up liking them. The Cowboys were winning with one of the best running backs to ever play the game in Emmitt Smith (all time leading rusher in the NFL) and the flamboyant Michael Irvin. They had one of the best offensive lines I have EVER seen because Troy Aikman can still speak intelligently, and we know he really can't take a hit. The Yankees, even if you don't watch baseball, they are probably two teams that you've heard of, the Yankees and the Cubs.
Cleveland fans, what you should be worrying about is whether Danny Ferry can get the pieces around LeBron so that LeBron can bring a trophy to Cleveland before he bolts for New York. That would be something to be upset about, something that should draw the ire of fans, not the fact that LeBron has other allegiances in sports.

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