“Dear Dan: Can You Say Poor Loser?

special to NewBlackMan

“Dear Dan: Can You Say Poor Loser?

by Stephane Dunn

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there. Sorry, but that's simply not how it works. This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become. But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio. The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south.

When ESPN first flashed excerpts of Cleveland Cavalier majority Dan Gilbert’s “letter” on the heels of Lebron’s much anticipated announcement, the giddy, nervous, analysts seemed unsure. Was the letter for real? Did somebody confiscate Dan Gilbert’s identity, hack into his account, and go stark raving mad? Nope. It was Gilbert demonstrating that good sportsmanship and mad love only goes as far as getting your way.

It’s obviously painful for Cleveland to lose Lebron James to Miami. For seven years, he revitalized the franchise, brought the fans to the stadium, and made the world become Lebron watchers and believers Cavalier fan or not. He got paid and so did the city and the fans. Lebron lived up to the hype and his contract but there was no lifelong commitment clause in it. While we can wax nostalgic about back in the day when it was quite common for a player to retire from a franchise rather than hop scotch from one to the other, what we’ve witnessed is the beauty and some say the curse of free agency. Even an indentured servant had a period when his tenure was over and he was free to decide his own fate and benefit more fully from the value of his labor.

Gilbert’s blazing rant about betrayal and curses goes beyond pain over the loss of a team – a city’s – heart. The majority “owner” bolsters critiques like those put forth in William Rhoden’s Forty Million Dollar Slaves. Well-paid or not, if an athlete dares to defy the romantic expectations and the presumed ownership of a franchise then fans and even more unfortunate a person in leadership like Gilbert feel quite justified to ‘tar and feather’ the athlete.

NBA players like NFL and Major League Baseball athletes are bred to have a major goal – the ultimate accomplishment: win championships. Though some great ones have retired without that elusive ring, we all know that not one wanted that footnote: but he never won a championship. Bill Russell won eleven as a player, Jordan six, and Kobe Bryant and Magic have five. Save for Russell and Magic who won in their Rookie Year, history shows that it takes time – as Gilbert implied with his distorted use of heaven – to get to the promise land. It took Jordan seven years. Imagine Kobe Bryant staying with the Lakers without a ring and no real confidence that the franchise will get there anytime soon or Jordan staying with the Bulls in the same situation. We can’t.

Lebron James gave it seven years and then he did what any super competitive, talented athlete who knows his value does; he weighed the odds, reminded himself of his goal and at twenty-five made the biggest, hardest decision of his young professional life: leave home. Despite the spectacle it became, it’s obvious that Lebron struggled with making the decision. Gilbert’s ungentlemanly reaction underscores what he accuses James of and sets a poor standard for Cleveland fan behavior. Seven years of heart, thrills, and money for James, the franchise owners, and the city should not be dismissed in such a 'cavalier' manner. If players and coaches are bound to verbally respect referees and players each other, owners should be required demonstrate some sportsmanship in loss too.

So Dear Dan, play nice or get off the court.

***

Stephane Dunn, Ph.D, MFA, is currently an Assistant Professor in the English Department at Morehouse College. She has also taught at Ohio State University. A scholarly and creative writer, she specializes in film, popular culture, literature and African American studies. She is the author of articles and commentaries and the book, Baad Bitches & Sassy Supermamas: Black Power Action Films (University of Illinois Press 2008).