LeBron James' 'Final Decision' is a Wake-Up Call For Cavs Fans

In the three days since LeBron James spurned Cleveland in favor of the Philadelphia 76ers, no stone has been unturned in trying to find a place to direct blame. 

The main culprit seems to be Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman for not doing enough to convince Akron's favorite son to come home for his final chapter. Most egregiously of all, Altman didn't retain fellow Klutch client Darius Garland, trading him for James Harden back at the trade deadline in February, a player who James reportedly would have preferred to play with over the Cavs' current stars. 

That's left Harden being blamed for costing the team James. Kenny Atkinson and Donovan Mitchell have caught their fair of strays now too, for apparently not being a stylistic fits for the NBA's all-time leading scorer. 

It's a futile and, frankly, pathetic exercise.  

The fact of the matter is this: LeBron James didn't choose Cleveland, despite the fact they have a roster that is ready to contend for championships and was just in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

He didn't choose Cleveland despite the fact that returning "home" to Northeast Ohio would have provided the perfect ending to his historic career. 

He didn't choose Cleveland despite the city's passionate and loyal fan base expressing mostly undying adoration for him through the many phases of his career. 

To be clear, James didn't owe Cleveland anything. He fulfilled his promise of bringing a title here and ending the 52-year championship drought. His legacy in this town is cemented forevermore and he was free to make whatever decision he wanted. 

But when you care for someone as much as Northeast Ohio cares for James, you want that feeling to be reciprocated. That's just human nature.

Instead, Cleveland has always lived in the friend zone with James, leaned on when it's convenient for him, but never to be the bride he'd eventually write a happy ending with. 

This relationship has always been transactional. Even 2014, framed as the protocol son returning home to fulfill an unkept vow, was transactional. He didn't come back out of the goodness of his heart because he loves home. He came back because his legacy needed him to make things right in Cleveland and complete that championship prophecy. 

None of this is to say James shouldn't be honored at Rocket Arena one day with a statue and jersey retirement. None of this is to say James can't still be your GOAT if you believe he is (he's mine).

However, his latest and final decision should serve as a wake up call. James simply doesn't share the same feelings for Cavaliers fans as Cavaliers fans do with him.

Maybe everyone should have realized that sooner – he did tell everyone last season that he doesn't like going home, as a way of smoothing over his critical comments suggesting the Memphis Grizzlies should move to Nashville. 

Regardless, it's clear now. He doesn't rock with Cleveland, the way Cleveland rocks with him. And by the way, that's FINE. It's just time to break free from this LeBron James Stockholm syndrome that has seemingly brainwashed some sects of the fan base into believing LeBron and only LeBron is the answer to all of their hopes and dreams. 

All the while, there's a top 15 player currently on the Cavs roster who has chosen Cleveland not once, but twice in Donovan Mitchell. A guy who is starved to deliver his adopted home another title and leave his own legacy here, independent of James. 

People are so hypnotized by the LeBron James spell, they can't see the forest through the trees. They'd rather argue over whose fault it is that a 41-year-old, coming to terms with his NBA mortality, didn't choose Cleveland. 

But this isn't like James' other decisions, which left the Cavs totally devoid of talent, hope, and relevancy. Mitchell is here. Harden (for better or for worse) is due back. Evan Mobley continues to ascend. This team was playing in the Eastern Conference Finals two months ago. 

Has this offseason been a disappointment so far? Undeniably yes. Altman and company have their work cut out for them to improve this roster now. But the revisionist history of what they should have done or shouldn't have done months or years ago to lure this version of LeBron back is nothing more than a coping mechanism after being left at the altar...again. 

If James wanted Cleveland, he'd be here. That hard truth should serve as a sobering statement to get out of that toxic relationship and embrace whatever is next for the hometown Cavaliers, who – believe it or not – still have championship aspirations of their own.