Taking Your Talents to South Beach...

Connor,

Hey having a great summer? KIT. See ya next year! School Sucks! (Those are yearbook jokes, something you'll probably never have at this point. I think the Facebook has rendered yearbooks obsolete.)

Anyway, I've decided it's time for another letter to my favorite nephew. I've also decided to tell you about the much maligned one-hour special titled "The Decision" and why it's not the end of the world.

Last week Lebron James--the most gifted athlete on the planet--officially decided to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and "take his talents to South Beach" to play for the Miami Heat. I know this may not seem like a big deal, but it was. Whether it was or it wasn't it was. (it makes sense if you read it a bunch of times.)

His choice to leave Cleveland was interesting to most people because they couldn't escape the 24/7 coverage on ESPN and news is slow in the summer.

The way he announced his decision was interesting to people because it was really interesting. To most of us, Lebron James is a seemingly good guy. He did not come off this way during his hour long special. "The Decision" made several crucial mistakes that have widely been criticized. Those criticisms are as follows:

(1)Lebron didn't think about (or care) what he was doing to Cleveland fans (and owner) with such a grandiose "I think we should break up" announcement on live television. This is probably true.

(2)The hour long process to answer one question was horribly self-serving, narcissistic and worst of all--it was really, really bad television. It was one Snookie short of a complete and total embarrassment to American culture. This is all true.

(3)And to top it off--to put the rotten cherry on this poop flavored sundae--Lebron gets Jim Gray to be the guy who interviews him. Jim Gray is the worst. Or possibly in this case, the best--for an event that came across as completely unaware of itself, you might as well get the one reporter who never seems to be aware of the moment. Sadly true.

These things are indisputable. But we should get over it and Cavs fans should get over it and poor heart broken Cavs owner Dan Gilbert should get over it.

Lebron has been labeled the villian in this situation by most members of the media. Dan Gilbert wrote a letter to Cavs fans which I think even you would have found immature and overly emotional. (And I watched you get upset because your mom had to go to the bathroom and you were left with me for 10 seconds. Sorry about all three times I let you hit your head during that span, by the way.)

This is brings us to why I felt it important for you to hear this story. We all, as fans, idolize these complete strangers and--to a certain extent--that's perfectly normal. No one was more idolized by the Cleveland fans than Lebron James, so I understand why they are upset he left.

What we must understand is that the relationship we have with athletes is completely one sided. As much as I want Chase Utley to care about me the way I care about him, it's just not gonna happen. I miss Brian Dawkins, but he probably doesn't miss me. (Although, if anyone were to get attached to individual fans it might be Dawk, he cried during many a interview. He's a passionate dude.) These athletes are still real people and the only loyalty they need to have is to their friends and family. And that's exactly how Lebron claimed he came to his decision.

Lebron said he chose to go to Miami because he felt he would be happiest there. And he sought his mother's advice when making his decision. He wasn't thinking about his aspiring global icon status (NY Knicks) or doing what would keep his image in tact and make the most money (Cavs). He just wanted to play basketball with his friends (Wade and Bosh) and have a chance to win. (And live in Miami--which has the most beautiful, um...beaches. When you're older I'll tell you what's on those beaches that makes them so beautiful.)

What's better than playing a game you love and were born to play for millions of dollars? Playing with your friends. I mean, isn't doing what you love with the people you care about what everyone wants? To me, his decision was the most American thing he could do--the pursuit of happiness personified. That's Constitutional, yo.

I think Lebron is a great role model for you. Work hard and make the most of the talents you were given and you get to do what you want, where you want, with the people you want to do it with. Remember that and everything else is cream cheese. (copyright: Coach from Teenwolf)

Also, as a basketball fan, it's gonna be awesome to watch those guys play together. You gotta love sports!

(The only real downside to Lebron in Miami is it further complicating the Jay-Z line, "If Jesus payin' Lebron I'm payin' Dwayne Wade" I didn't understand it before, and now it's just completely baffling. Is Jay-Z the devil in this situation? Is he God? And why do either own a basketball team? It's a mystery.)

I only hope one day you get to "take your talents to South Beach". Metaphorically speaking.

Your Favorite Uncle,

Kevin

Post Script: Tell your dad Happy Birthday! Yay Birthdays!