The Chosen One

The Chosen One

These words have been uttered about Lebron James since his high school days back at St. Mary’s St. Vincent in northeast Ohio. The city of Cleveland in 2003 was ecstatic about having the chance of drafting their own, and “The Chosen One” to bring the city a championship. 1964 was the last time Cleveland tasted the championship champagne. A lot has changed since the late 60’s except for the hunger from native Clevelanders for just a drop of that prized championship champagne. In June of 2003 this was the best chance for Cleveland since Jim Brown brought the Browns the last championship for the city. And Lebron seemed humbled by the opportunity and took the burden of the entire city on his shoulders being King James and Cleveland’s chosen son. With incredible playoff moments like the twenty straight points in 2007, or the buzzer beater against Orlando in 2009. Lebron only went to the finals once from the time he was drafted to the end of his contract in 2010. “The Chosen One” seemed like he couldn’t even deliver a ring to the Cleveland faithful.

Then the summer of 2010 came and the anticipated “Decision” from Lebron telling the world where he was going to play for the next season. Everything about the special on ESPN seemed to be pointing that he was staying, he even made the announcement at a local Boys and Girls club in Akron, Ohio. And yet, just like that the Chosen son, the one that was going to end the curse, the man that was going to let the city of Cleveland to bask in championship glory. Lebron left for the beaches of South Beach Miami, Florida to play with his good friends Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for the Miami Heat. With Lebron out of Cleveland breaking Cavalier fans hearts, leading to burning ashes of his jersey and extreme hatred toward their own son. Betrayed, sadden, the Cavaliers had their worst season of the franchise getting the NBA’s top pick in the 2011 draft. Cleveland picked Kyrie Irving—who is no Lebron James but gave Cleveland fans something to hang their hats on too. For the next four years not much change for Cleveland missing the playoffs each of those four years.

For Lebron he would go to four straight NBA Finals winning two titles over the four-year span. Which, is not the seven or eight that James promised in the reveal of the Big 3 before the start of the 2010-11 season. I could only imagine what Cavs fans must have felt watching the player they dawned “The Chosen One” win championships for other city, for fans that don’t appreciate him the same. Trying to forget the memories and trying to have hope for their team. With his time in Miami, Lebron James exploded in popularity and just his overall super-stardom both on and off the court. Getting big time deals with Samsung, Beats, Sprite, Gatorade, and of course Nike. Lebron was even more popular than the President of the United States. And Lebron seemed at peace and having fun on and off the court in South Beach. Riding his bike to the arena, going to events with Dwyane Wade, and embracing the Miami community. But wait that’s just half the story…

You see after the 2014 NBA Finals Lebron was fresh off his 3^rd Finals lost, his second of his career to the Spurs Lebron was entering free agency once again. And the city that he had left just four short years before was set to welcome him back with open arms. Lebron hearing the voices echoing since his departure in 2010 wrote a letter and released it in Sports Illustrated saying that he was returning home to northeast Ohio to play for his hometown Cavaliers. Not only that but the Cavs announced that they were trading the rights to the second pick to Minnesota in return for Power Forward Kevin Love. Once again Lebron looked like the master GM like he had done in Miami with the Heat in route to his two championships. Also the Cavs went from the worst team in the NBA to the favorites to win the Finals. In his letter Lebron promised a championship for his city. Just a few months later James was set to deliver on his promise facing the Golden State Warriors and the NBA MVP Steph Curry in the Finals. Short-handed without Kryie Irving and Kevin Love, James battled, scratched, and clawed his way to a Game Six ultimately losing to the Warriors at home failing once again.

With the lose the media swirl around James became even worst, and people wondered if Lebron could actually fulfill his promise of a championship to his beloved city. Enter the 2015-16 season, Lebron was on a mission to get back to the Finals and beat the Warriors and release the chains of the Cleveland Sports Curse. The task however was immensely high. The Warriors went 73-9 beating the ’95-96 Chicago Bulls for the best record in NBA History. Steph Curry won his second straight MVP and were primed to win back to back titles. Down and out for the count was the label put on any team that faced the Warriors in this past years’ playoffs. Lebron was yet again faced with adversity and left in the past. The Cavs were the underdogs with nobody believing that they could win the championship—that is everyone except the people of Cleveland. They were “All-in for ‘16”, this was the year. Down 3-1 to Golden State, Lebron exploded for 41 points, 7 assists, and 16 rebounds keeping the dream alive, bringing the series back to Cleveland. Lebron did not disappoint scoring 41 points again, this time with 11 assists, and 8 rebounds, sending the series to a Game 7. And just two nights ago Lebron finally lifted the curse showing to the world that yet again he is the best. Not only his team but him personally being the best player on planet earth. Scoring 21, having 11 assists and rebounds, having 2 steals with 3 blocks.

Lebron is truly King James, he is truly Cleveland’s Chosen One. Cleveland has their championship, the champagne is spraying in the streets, and 52 years of celebrating is going down in northeast Ohio. So congratulations to the city of Cleveland, to the Cavaliers, and to my favorite player Lebron James, enjoy your championship!

Sources:( espn.com, nba.com)

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