If you’re a devotee of checking NBA scores, one tonight probably jumped out at you. I speak of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 112-57 demolition of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team now in the midst of an 11-game losing streak and owners of the worst record in the NBA. After losing LeBron James(notes) to the Heat this summer, they’re not exactly in the best of circumstances.
LeBron apparently doesn’t feel much sympathy for his old team in these troublesome times. In the closing minutes of the Cavs game, with the only issue left to determine being whether or not the Lakers would double-up the Cavs, Cleveland’s former savior tweeted about karma, hate, and divine retribution. Check it out below.
Well, that’s not very nice, is it? He basically said that God wants the Cavs to fail as punishment for their poor treatment of LeBron in the wake of his departure. Plus, while LeBron says that it’s bad to wish ill on someone, he also seems to be reveling in their failures. Does that mean it’s alright to be happy when someone fails as long as you don’t wish for it beforehand? Whoever said God works in mysterious ways wasn’t kidding.
On the other hand, it’s possible to understand LeBron’s emotional state here, if not his exact reaction. He gave seven seasons to the Cavs and carried the team close to a championship with, as we’re learning this season, a relatively substandard supporting cast. When he left town, Cavs fans and franchise owner Dan Gilbert reacted like he’d murdered a hobo with a velvet voice in cold blood. Obviously he left town under terrible circumstances with the “Decision” debacle, but that doesn’t mean he deserved to be treated like a criminal.
Then again, two wrongs don’t make a right, as they say. LeBron handled his business tonight like a fool, treating the Cavs like hellbound sinners deserving of whichever terrible fate befalls them. The team, the owner, and the staff are still people dealing with some pretty rough professional circumstances right now. It’s fine not to feel a ton of sympathy for them, but don’t rub their failure in their faces.
James recently said that he’s embracing his villain role, but there’s a difference between being a compelling bad guy and a jerk. Right now, he’s leaning towards the latter.
Or maybe he was talking about something else. Who knows?!
