Kotoch: The Return of The King

On the evening of July 8, 2010, Cleveland was a dark, somber place.

Moments after ESPN aired ‘The Decision,” the city of Cleveland and Cavaliers fans reacted to what they felt was a betrayal by their native son.

Images of LeBron James’ jersey burning were on a loop around the world. Then in the morning hours, a scathing email from Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was released.

At that time it seemed like the Cavs and their fans were a world apart from LeBron and he became Public Enemy Number One.

The night is darkest just before the dawn.

Privately, LeBron confidant Rich Paul, who notified Gilbert in 2010 of LeBron’s decision, suggested that a return to Cleveland could be possible. The prevailing feeling was that if it did eventually happen, LeBron would be in his late 30s and on his last legs for a good-bye tour.

In September 2012, Paul left Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where James was represented, and founded Klutch Sports Management. With James, Tristan Thompson and several other NBA clients, Paul had instant credibility around the league. Paul continued to suggest a return could be possible, giving Cleveland a glimmer of hope. Last season in Cleveland when Miami visited, the tide turned, the venom was removed and fans began to cheer and applaud James again.

The Cavs had put themselves in position to pursue LeBron and other free agents for the summer of 2014. As the season began, the biggest threat to their chances was Miami’s postseason success. I had been assured behind closed doors that, knowing that LeBron wants to win and wants to cement his place in history, if the Heat had three-peated he would have remained in Miami and pursued a fourth straight title, something Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan never accomplished.

Then in June, when the NBA Finals concluded and the Spurs had dispatched the Heat, the Cavaliers had their opening. Armed with the excitement of having their second consecutive first overall pick in the NBA draft, the Cavs – flush with tradeable assets, talented young prospects and cap space – were instantly a contender. The national media, aside from myself and very few others, unilaterally dismissed Cleveland as a possible destination for James.

Having learned many lessons from ‘The Decision,” James, Paul and manager Maverick Carter set out to be more professional and thoughtful this time around. Paul met with all of James’s suitors. While nothing was discussed publicly, it was clear the spectacle and media circus that followed James in 2010 would not happen again.

Two Sundays ago, Gilbert flew to Miami to meet privately with James and hash out their differences. A remorseful Gilbert asked for James’ forgiveness, the same forgiveness James longed for from his neighbors in northeast Ohio.

On Wednesday, James and Paul met in Las Vegas with Heat president Pat Riley, and this site reported a decision had been made and that LeBron would return to Cleveland. In the wee hours, the city of Cleveland was on pins and needles as the anticipation and hope of a reunion became realistic. However, the oversaturation of media coverage, sports talk radio and speculation led to Cleveland fans agonizing over being left at the altar.

For a city that has endured Red Right 88, The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, Game 7 against the Marlins, and The Decision, it seemed cruel to be left at the altar again. When Cleveland made a multi-team trade to shed the salaries of Jarrett Jack, Tyler Zeller and Sergey Karasev, it was a steep price but necessary to create the cap space to sign James.

Late Thursday night, reports of Heat teammate and good friend Dwyane Wade accompanying LeBron at his basketball camp in Las Vegas and on a plane back to Miami began to make Clevelanders even more anxious. Then early Friday, ESPN reported that James was agonizing over his decision because of lingering bad feelings about Gilbert’s 2010 letter.

When the announcement came and all of northeast Ohio celebrated it, Clevelanders realized that the LeBron who would be returning was a more mature, thoughtful man determined to right the wrongs from four years earlier.

James spoke of forgiveness between himself and Gilbert and in turn sought that very same thing from the fans. My mother, who still lives in Cleveland, admitted that she was moved to tears by the power of James’ words and their sincerity. In a manner of minutes, resentment and anger turned to forgiveness.

The premier professional athlete in the world, James atoned for his mistakes and left Miami in a professional way that we all hope sets an example for more athletes. In an society in which sports bleed into culture and athletes are revered as gods, James has manned up and accepted the challenge that comes with mentoring and setting an example for young people everywhere.

After four consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals, two NBA titles and two MVP awards, the foregone conclusion by many in the media and around the league was LeBron would re-sign in Miami because it was the easy decision. However, ask any Clevelander about how difficult it is to win a title in any sport and they can give you 50 years worth of examples and counting.

The LeBron James who rejoins the Cavs is aware of this because the 2014 LeBron is more humble and thoughtful than the 2010 version. Most importantly for Cleveland, this James is a proven winner and knows what sacrifices he and his youthful teammates will have to make in order to accomplish this signature goal.

In Northeast Ohio nothing is given, everything is earned.

LeBron James, the prodigal son, is coming home, with unfinished business.

Joe Kotoch is the Editor-in-chief of Pro Basketball Draft, a leading scouting service in the world of professional basketball. Before Joe created PBD he served as an NBPA & FIBA certified agent and scouted players all across the world. Born and raised in Cleveland, Joe also contributes to Fox Sports Ohio and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Follow Joe on Twitter @Probballdraft.