There are a lot of words to be said, written, shouted, and drunkenly mumbled about what LeBron James just did. His Cleveland Cavaliers’ takeover of the NBA Finals is one of the most memorable comebacks in the history of the NBA, and it will be talked about for years and years to come, especially in Cleveland.
For now, though, the simple dying down of much of the idiot wind about his imperfect legacy is a joy to be cherished. James’ hometown newspaper, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, gets after that truth pretty poignantly with this excellent sports front page:
https://twitter.com/zagatam/status/745263642489266176
The intention of “THE END” is likely a reference to the city’s 52-year championship drought finally being over. And while this is not the end for LeBron, who still quests for more titles, this should be the end of anyone trying to deny him his place in the canon of the game. Delivering a championship to Cleveland after a more than 50 year drought is an accomplishment that transcends basketball, and stands as a feat more indelible than anything in this century of the NBA.
For all the quintessentially millennial insecurities that have soured James’ public presence, from The Decision to his questionable use of social media, this is one big stroke of brilliance that wipes all that away for a while.
