So I took a few days to assess what just happened. Essentially, the Cavs crumbled under the immense pressure of being the favorite to win the NBA finals this year. This is about as low as it gets for Cleveland fans, who fear we may have seen the end of the LeBron James Era. It's over. No more games, the season is over. If you've seen any ESPN lately, you would know that it's basically turned into LeBronTV. Expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future.
What a terrible way to end what may be the King's last season in his homecourt. The Cavaliers started off the game okay, but it was soon apparent we were not coming out of Boston with a win. There really aren't words to describe how crushing of a loss this was. I really don't even want to talk about the game, basically it was close at halftime but during the 4th quarter we just gave up. Let's get to what the end of the season means, for all those involved in the Cavaliers organization.
Let's start with Mike Brown. The sentiment in the air is that Brown is a dead man walking. The coach who led the Cavaliers to the best record two straight years in the regular season is apparently on his way out of Cleveland. When the expectation is a championship, and you have the best player, there isn't a whole lot of room for error. In other words, when you get bounced in the Eastern semi-finals and it's the deciding year for your prized free-agent, you're not coming back.
Danny Ferry said that he respects and admires Brown, but none of that really matters. Word on the street is that LeBron and John Calipari may be a packaged deal, so you better believe that Dan Gilbert is already on the phone with Calipari's agent, (who happens to be LeBron's agent) asking him what it will take to move him from Kentucky to Cleveland.
Sorry Mike, but you came up short. Your in-game adjustments and failure to produce a lineup that could win in the playoffs was your downfall. Relying too much on Shaq, not enough of Varejao and Hickson proved to be costly in the Boston series. You had a chance to be the coach of the best player on the planet for a significant period of time. Kiss that chance goodbye. Maybe you should learn how to properly implement an offense instead of differing to LeBron the entire game. Even the one thing you supposedly do well, namely encouraging defense, failed miserably this final series. Thanks for coming out. Maybe you can land a job in the D-league.
Let's move on to our owner, Mr. Dan Gilbert. Dan promised to be relentless in his quest to win a championship for the city of Cleveland. Well, it didn't happen. Your two major moves, acquiring Shaq Diesel and Antawn Jamison didn't work out like you planned it. You and your boy Danny Ferry's whole goal was to build a team that could contend with Orlando and effectively combat Dwight Howard.. only you failed to realize the supporting cast you had surrounded LeBron with couldn't even beat the Celtics. Dan, I hope you somehow can get The King to resign. Promise him anything you need to. And next time you have the chance to acquire Amare Stoudemire, don't let the potential of JJ Hickson deter you. Have a serious heart-to-heart with Danny, and assess your life goals.
Shaquille O' Neal, you were one of the only Cavaliers who showed effort and energy in the series vs. Boston. However, you promised to "Win a Ring for the King." You got me all excited, and in the end you didn't live up to your word. The only thing you "witnessed" was the early-exit of a team that should have won the NBA finals. I'm not sure you were worth the $20+ million we payed you this season. Oh, and the team you played for last year.. they're still in the playoffs. Maybe you should think about retiring, and preserving your legacy. You've already won championships with the Black Mamba and the Flash. You are without question one of the greatest centers of all-time. My advice is to avoid "pulling a Michael Jordan" and playing well past your prime. You were once a force in this league. Let us remember you the way we should.
There's really only one other Cavalier worth discussing. King James, aka the Dunking Dictator, aka the Akron Hammer, aka the Chosen One. Although I may be one of your biggest supporters, I must say my disappointment level is at an all-time high. After teasing us with your Game 3 performance in Boston, you effectively called the rest of the series off. Okay, so you lost Game 4 in Boston, we weren't mad about that. But when you came home for Game 5, we expected a lot more. Not only did you not play well, but it looked like you didn't even try. And then you let us give up in Game 6. What happened? Where is the heart and the desire? Everyone expected you, the two-time reigning MVP, to show up and lead Cleveland to the promised land. Didn't happen. You didn't even make it out of the second round.
Kind of embarrassing, and if you leave Cleveland this way, it will be a permanent stain on your already tainted legacy. Granted, you are the best player in the game but right now none of that matters. I don't know if the rumors are true about your Mom and Delonte, but that's not even an excuse. I'm not big into magic tricks, but your Game 5 no-show was one of the best disappearing acts I've ever seen. Plain and simple, you need to stay. Stay, and win a championship. If you go to Chicago and play with Joakim Noah we will never forgive you. You already cut a hole into the heart of Northeast Ohio, and by leaving you would just be pouring salt on the wound. Dan Gilbert is dedicated to giving you whatever you want. If it's Calipari and Bosh, he's going to do his best. Take some time, think about it, and realize this is your home. Until then, whether or not LeBron James is Underrated is highly questionable. Your legacy is in doubt. Don't make the wrong decision. Sincerely - The City of Cleveland
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