The 1st Ever NBA Fan Free Agent! oh… and LeBron James
Mar 12, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) reacts on the court against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at US Airways Center. The Cavaliers won 110-101. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Great Fits-Emotional Ties, Familiarity and Strong Likeability
As a Fan–Cleveland Cavs, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz
I have been a die-hard Cavs fan for the past 27+ years but I can’t do it if LeBron has come back. I can’t root for that team and that’s going to sting awhile especially because if LeBron comes back they will be a great team and probably be in the finals. Then you’ll see a lot more people paying attention to the Cavs and watching games and going on about it. Which will be good for the city and the organization for which I love. But not me. I will have to move on. And the two fits that I have a history with are the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks. John Stockton will probably be one of my favorite players to play the game. When I started playing, maybe due to size and athletic ability, we have a very similar style. I loved his unselfish play, his ability to make the team better at all costs and his great eye coordination combined with his attention and effort on D. He summed up what the point guard position should be and how to unselfishly lead your team and get to where you want to be. While being a Cavs fan, I always rooted for the Jazz. I’ll never forget Jordan going over Byron Russell for the finals winning shot, just like he did against my Cavs. So I know what it’s like to be a Jazz fan (it almost never came to Jazz and Cavs so really no issues there). I also really like the idea of it being in the West so I don’t ever have to root against my Cavs, just not for them. But few issues here. One it’s Salt Lake City in Mormontown USA. Not exactly where I want my team. 2nd the team isn’t exactly the most entertaining yet. I do like the foundation and possible starters. Trey Burke is a hustler and bust every bone he has to get what his team needs (yes, even though he’s from Michigan). Dante Exum looks solid at the 2, with Gordon Hayward (YES!) moving to the 3. Then you’ve got 3 potentially exciting guys for the 4 and 5 in Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter and Rudy Gobert (the human Stretch Armstrong). I could get used to this. Lastly is the Mavericks. Who doesn’t remember Cavs for Mavs? Dirk is a loyal player, never leaving Dallas and always doing what he can to help the team. Mark Cuban is my favorite owner in sports. When you see him courtside you can’t help but love a team whose owner is that involved and excited about his team, very much like Dan Gilbert (whose letter I still defend till this day, though comic sans? Really?). As long as Cuban is involved they’ll have a place in my heart.
For LeBron-Cleveland Cavs, Miami Heat
It’s down to two. And really it’s only become clear that’s these are the final two recently. But it’s mainly because….what else is there. He doesn’t seem to want to go to the West, though if he does it’ll most likely be the Rockets and there’s nothing really in the East. Also if you’re LeBron it’s time to start thinking about your legacy. Do you want to go down as the guy who switched team to team chasing titles? Kobe and MJ didn’t do that. You can either return to Miami and hope they can retool around you or go back home to win the title you promised your hometown. That Decision is looking real dumb now isn’t it? Imagine how much easier it would be to return home without it. The Cavs are built for LeBron. You’ve got arguably one of the best point guards in the league in Kyrie, you’ve got the #1 pick and supposed next superstar in Andrew Wiggins, then you’ve got two young guys at PF in Bennett and Thompson and the hustle of Anderson Varejao at center. Plus lots of tradeable assets to have the team go add a Kevin Love (or Roy Hibbert if that mess doesn’t get worked out in Indy or even the unthinkable and grab both). You love the city of Cleveland and would love to finish your legacy as the guy who did the unthinkable…bring a championship to Cleveland. And it’s a real possibility now. If you stay in Miami you’re praying Wade gets his health back and returns to top notch form (though you know that’s a longshot), you’re hoping Chris Bosh will be that #2 for you (which you know he’s not, not being the only formidable player) and are hoping you can keep getting veterans to take the minimum to come play for you (which they’re not) or hit on a few hail maries in the draft. The uncertainty is growing in Miami. Maybe you can get Paul Gasol to come join you giving you a center you desperately need, but that’s not a long term plan. You’re only comfortable in two places, the two places you’ve played your whole career. You’ve backed yourself into a little of a corner. At this point you should be coming off, at minimum, championship 3 with the idea of dynasty in everyone’s minds. You should have been able to stay with the Heat for 3-4 more years with Wade and Bosh and challenge for championship 6 and 7 but the dice didn’t roll that way. Maybe Karma caught up with you for stacking the deck. You can either jump ship to a new team again looking like a championship chaser (tarnishing your legacy), stay in Miami knowing it’s not your best chance to win or return home where you’ve got a chance to compete for titles for the foreseeable future in a foreseeable weak East. There’s no great option as each has it’s drawbacks but that’s the way it played out. I’ll tell you this though, even without me, the Cavs will have the best fans you’ll find anywhere.