Worst moment in each NBA franchise’s history
By Brad Rowland
Cleveland Cavaliers – “The Decision”
On July 8, 2010, LeBron James turned heel.
That is the simplest way of putting it, and for those unfamiliar with the world and culture of professional wrestling, James elected to become the villain rather than playing to the masses with a positive appeal. LeBron went on national television, with the help of Jim Gray and ESPN, and theoretically stabbed the people of Cleveland in the back, instead opting to “take his talents to South Beach” to join the Miami Heat.
Things did work out quite nicely for LeBron in Miami, to the point where he won two NBA championships and reached four NBA Finals in four years, but Cleveland fans did not take kindly to the choice. There were demonstrations of hate in the streets of Ohio, most notably the burning of No. 23 jerseys, and there was an overall outrage about the manner in which LeBron delivered his message in front of a national audience. Just four years later, though, James chose to return to the Cavaliers with an “I’m coming home” letter via Lee Jenkins and Sports Illustrated. For most people (at least in Cleveland), all was forgiven if not forgotten.
Still, it is difficult to describe the vitriol from Cleveland Cavaliers fans toward LeBron James in July of 2010, and for at least a few months, he was the most hated man in the NBA. Things have changed a great deal, but vivid memories remain.
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