I love the tradition every four years of the World Cup and LeBron James opting out of contracts.
This time Germany won the World Cup and James is going back home!
Sports rarely allows the chance for athletes to play in their hometown. Mike Trout plays in Los Angeles, but is from New Jersey. Sidney Crosby plays in Pittsburgh and is from Cole Harbour.
It is something that never happens, but strangely enough it will for the second time in Cleveland.
When I heard the news, I felt relieved for Cleveland. They get to celebrate their son returning home.
The Bleacher Report ranked Cleveland to be the most tortured sports city in North America.
Cleveland hasn’t lifted a trophy since 1964 and ESPN is constantly reminding them of painful sports memories such as “The Shot,” “The Drive,” “The Fumble,” “Red Right 88,” and recently, “The Decision.”
In the past three months, the most tortured sports city acquired three polarizing athletes. These players have the ability to put on sun glasses and hold up a giant neurotransmitter and erase painful memories like they’re Agent J and Agent K for the Men in Black series.
The Cleveland Browns drafted Johnny Manziel 22nd overall in the recent NFL draft, the Cavaliers drafted their second-straight Canadian first overall in Andrew Wiggins and now the King is returning to Quicken Loans Arena.
Last year you couldn’t give me enough Palm Bays to watch Browns or Cavaliers games. I can’t believe I’m about to write this, but, I plan on rearranging my schedule to watch their games this season.
Just remember how much of a joke the NBA Eastern Conference was last year. The Fulton senior boys could have competed for the final playoff spot in the East.
It’s really remarkable how one athlete can transcend the landscape of the NBA.
James’ move set off a domino effect which started the facelift of the East turning it into a competitive conference once again.
James morphs any team he goes to into an automatic contender. The Cavs will still be favoured to come out of the East despite a roster filled with question marks, inexperience and players who still get ID’d.
Remember when James won 66 games with the Cavaliers in 2008 with a roster that featured Mo Williams and J.J. Hickson? They seem to possess a stronger roster now with a two-time all-star Kyrie Irving and Wiggins, who is predicted to be the next great one.
If scrutinized owner Dan Gilbert is able to pull off one or two trades, this team could book their ticket to the finals.
Rumors have been swirling that they are looking to acquire Minnesota Timberwolves big-man and 2008 fifth-overall pick Kevin Love.
With the T-wolves, Love was an absolute monster with a beard. He set an NBA record with 53 consecutive games with a double-double in 2010-11. Now imagine bringing him to the East where nobody can seriously guard him?
He would shred the East. He could average 35 points and 25 rebounds in his sleep. Forget the fact that their might only be one or two players that can guard him, he is going to be the second or third option on offence, which will allow him to do whatever he wants on the floor.
The part that gets me is that Love never considered heading to Cleveland before James returned.
Ever since Minnesota didn’t sign him to the max deal three years ago, he has been counting down the days until next summer when he can return to his home in California. Until now.
One player’s decision to head back home to a place where he was exiled from has changed the entire Eastern Conference.
Great sports stories such as these are the reason why I got into the industry. It also gives me hope that one day other championship-deprived cities can turn things around.
You’re up next Toronto.
