Substitution.

It was a little more than a year ago when Lebron James made his “decision to take his talents down to South Beach.” To say his leaving had a minimal effect on his hometown of Akron and neighboring city of Cleveland, would be like saying “What’s a little water?” after Hurricane Irene moved off the East Coast a few weeks ago. Both were devastating, but recovery is for sure underway.

For the city of Cleveland, and fans around the country, the ill feelings may remain--- but those that were hurt by Lebron leaving, have for sure moved ahead. Especially after the Dallas Mavericks took the Heat to the cleaners last year. (Okay, I will admit, I am not a Heat fan---sue me.)

If you have been to Cleveland, you quickly figure out the moniker “the mistake by the lake” does not represent it. All you have to do is take any exit into the city limits and you encounter sports stadiums, restaurants, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and other sites that make you want to stay for an extended visit. Yes, I am talking about Cleveland, OH.

While I was travelling into the city, I took note of a particular “massive” outdoor sign that was across the street from the stadium where the Cleveland Indians play. About a year ago this was the location of a giant advertisement where King James (as in LeBron) overlooked the city. It represented the love and admiration the city had for him and he had for the city---until he made a “decision” that did not fall on deaf ears.

Since then the city has changed, maybe not in the way it had felt it would when it came to professional basketball, but it has changed and has become cohesive. Maybe this is a bit extreme, but when Michael Jordan retired—the first time---Chicago was in mourning. Then he came back, then he left, and then he went away after a while, came back and we stopped caring.

Since I am a big basketball fan, and I am still holding out hope that we will have a season this year, I do hope that the Cavaliers have a decent season; not a great season where they win the championship, that’s reserved for Derrick Rose and the Bulls.  But a winning season---one where they look back and say…”we have been to South Beach, and you sir are not bringing enough talent to win the big one.”

The photo above was taken when I was in Cleveland. The city landscape in this case is brought to you by Sherwin Williams, a brand that has stood by the city for nearly 150 years---or about 143 years longer than LeBron did.

Thanks for stopping by.