LeBron James is back in Cleveland’s court, and a new book The Redemption of the King just hit the shelves. Author Vince McKee covers James’s entire journey in every detail both on and off the court — from the start of his career with the Cavaliers in Cleveland to his departure to Miami, his time with the Heat, and finally, the highly anticipated return of the “King.”
The Redemption of the King is a story that revolves more around hometown pride and character than money or celebrity. Over the next five days SheridanHoops.com exclusively will bring you excerpts of the new book, published by Clerisy Press. Click here to purchase.
EPILOGUE
In the spring of 2003, Cavaliers fans were at an all-time low. Their beloved team had just wrapped up another 17-win season and for the fifth straight year the Cavaliers had missed the playoffs. This was something that never seemed possible during the team’s glory years when Mark Price, Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty, and Craig Ehlo routinely made trips deep into the playoffs only to lose to the greatest player of all time: Michael Jordan.
Click on this photo of “The Redemption of the Kings” to purchase.
If only the Cavaliers could somehow obtain a player who was destined to be the next “greatest ever,” perhaps their luck could finally change for the better. Sure, there was this kid named LeBron James out there, a local talent who was setting the world on fire while still playing in high school. He was called the Chosen One, signifying that whatever team was lucky enough to draft him would instantly change its destiny. But this couldn’t possibly happen to the Cavaliers, could it? It almost seemed too good to be true when a Hollywood script–like turn of events unfolded, awarding the lowly Cavaliers the number-one pick in the upcoming draft—a near-miracle had occurred.
Cavaliers fans slowly started to believe that the winds of change were finally blowing and watched as this young prince grew into a King on the court. LeBron scored 25 points in his first night in the NBA and never looked back. Despite a lack of talent around him, LeBron continued to impress and even win the 2004 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Everything seemed to be going well when the team’s second best player, Carlos Boozer, lied to ownership, became a free agent, and skipped town. LeBron remained unfazed and continued improving in his second season. As he got better, so did the team, missing the playoffs by only one game and just a heartbeat away from taking the next step.
The very next spring, LeBron led the Cavaliers back to the playoffs for the first time in eight years as he earned a triple-double in his very first playoff game. He also made two game-winning shots in that same series—his first in the playoffs. Suddenly Cleveland fans were spoiled with what seemed like an embarrassment of riches as they
watched LeBron perform on a nightly basis. For the first time in a
long time, it was Cleveland winning games on the final play, the final
shot, and, for once, not receiving the cruelest twists of fate.
As the game winners piled up the following season and the epic
game five at The Palace of Auburn Hills in the 2007 Eastern Conference
Finals went down, it seemed more and more likely that Cleveland fans would bear witness to the greatest story ever told. Even after the Cavaliers were swept in the finals that year, it was widely believed that it would only be a matter of time before the best player on the planet brought Cleveland right back to the finals—the next logical step!
What unfolded instead was a pain no Cleveland sports fan truly deserved: an early exit to Boston in 2008, the final loss being a gut-wrenching game-seven slugfest in Beantown. The next two years had Cleveland fans watch as LeBron became the MVP of the league — a league in which the Cavaliers held the best record in twice — only to be knocked out of the NBA Finals early each year. And just when fans thought it couldn’t get any worse, LeBron went on national television and told the world—before telling his home team—that he was leaving Cleveland for the beach.
Cavaliers fans watched LeBron for the next four years, rooting against him and the Miami Heat every time they took the court. It was LeBron who thrived off the hatred toward him with four straight trips to the NBA Finals, including two championship wins and two more regular season MVPs for LeBron.
With LeBron’s two NBA Finals trophies and multiple MVP awards (not to mention sunny beaches and no state income tax in Florida), no one thought he would possibly come back to a team that was still struggling four years after his departure. But LeBron wasn’t just coming back to a team, he was coming back to a city he loved with a dream that was never finished—LeBron was coming home. In an essay that brought tears to the eyes of those who read it, LeBron explained that he had to learn how to win elsewhere in order to come back home and be good enough to teach his new Cavalier teammates.
Only time will tell if it was all worth it in the end. Will the pain of loss be replaced with a renewed faith and lead to a championship reward for Cleveland sports fans? Or will the Cavaliers end up right back where they started?
Click here to order your copy of “Redemption of the King” for $18.95.
PART IV: “Not one … ”
PART III: Taking his talents to South Beach
PART II: Beating the Pistons
PART I: Introduction
PODCAST: Vince McKee discusses his new book on Cleveland’s TheSportsFix.
Vince McKee is a growing force in the world of sports literature. His first four books, Hero, Cleveland’s Finest, Jacobs Field, and The Cleveland Cavaliers: A History of the Wine and Gold, all helped build his credibility as a top-notch chronicler of the impact of Ohio sports. He currently travels the country meeting with the public to spread the message of Hero. Vince is an avid Cleveland sports fan who enjoys spending time with his wife, Emily, and their daughter, Maggie. He is always willing to speak with his fans and critics and can be contacted by e-mail ([email protected]) or followed on Twitter (@vincetheauthor).
TO: LEBRON RAYMONE JAMES – A HEARTFELT LETTER FROM THE MAN WHO CHRISTENED YOU THE NEXT “DR J” AND PREDICTED YOU WOULD BE AN NBA STAR.
My name is Rolando Pharr. I am not a stalker or obsessed fan. I just have a very true story that I MUST share with you.
I’ve tried numerous ways of contacting you since 2007. On February 14, 2010 I sent a condensed email to Cleveland Scene magazine which they posted under the title “The Secret of LeBron’s Greatness Landed In my Inbox.” I was hoping that would get your attention. It didn’t.
In November 2012, local TV station 19 Action News covered part of this story. They reached out to your mom but never got a response. I’ve decided to reach out to you again through this letter.
Between January and May of 1985 our lives crossed paths. The story I have to share with you took place during that time. Some people will find it VERY hard to believe. Others will say they knew there was something “Special” about you. Either way, it’s a part of my destiny to tell you this story.
Your mom is a big part of the story. She was there as it unfolded and she will determine its outcome.
Will you and your mom PLEASE watch a Youtube video called “LeBron’s Cosmic Connection”. It was my first attempt at a Youtube video. The picture is dark and grainy and you have to cut up the volume but the message hits home. Your mom will recognize me. I considered her a friend. The video will definitely jog her memory.
“LeBron’s Cosmic Connection” is the untold true story of your connection to Global Icon, Muhammad Ali and NBA icon, Julius “Dr J” Erving. It details how I was carried around on the shoulders of Muhammad Ali when I was 3 years old and how Ali influenced my childhood. It describes how “Dr J” was my idol as a teen and young adult. How I was a member of the best basketball team in Akron called “Free Afrika”. It tells how your mom helped me a few hours a week at the Bottom Half Clothing store inside Rolling Acres Mall and how I sometimes watched you while she ran store errands.
It also tells the amazing story of how me and five of my “Free Afrika” team mates participated in Christening you to be the next “Dr J”. It’s true. When you were 3 months old, in the middle of The Bottom Half Clothing store, I raised your carry seat in the air three separate times and said “I Christen thee the next Dr J” each time. The second time I raised you above my head my team mates toasted you “To the next Dr J”. When your mom returned from running errands I told her about your Christenings and suggested we do it again. For the third time, with your mom to my immediate right, I raised you in the air and boldly said “I Christen thee the next Dr J”. When I handed you back to your mom she was visibly shaking. That’s why I’m 100% certain she will remember your “Dr J” Christening.
Did your “Dr J” Christening come true? No human can definitively say that it did or didn’t. Three facts that can’t be argued. When your Christening took place “Dr J” was still the face of the NBA, it’s most popular player and it’s most marketed player. You are currently all three of those things.
Watch all 4 of my Youtube videos. You may find some of my comments about your Cosmic Connection to Muhammad Ali very interesting. I personally believe you were given your Erving-esque basketball skills as a platform to make social change. Much in the way that Ali used his boxing platform. I read a couple of articles recently where people are starting to call you the Muhammad Ali of this generation. I made that statement on one of my videos a couple of years ago.
There’s more to the story. After you were Christened for the third time my team mates left the store. Your mom and I sat down and had lunch. You were in your carry seat facing us. I made three bold predictions to your mom. I told her that you would be an NBA star. That you would play for the Cleveland Cavaliers and that you would be a high flying player like “Dr J”. We then made a handshake agreement (twice). When you became an NBA star as I predicted, she would see to it that each one of the six men who participated in your “Dr J” Christening would be made a millionaire.
Ask your mom about your “Dr J” Christening and her millionaires Promise. It’s ironic that the Family Foundation you and your mom created adopted an “I Promise” campaign. Maybe it’s not irony. Perhaps the Universe is testing you. You ask your Foundation kids to make and keep their Promises. Will you and your mom lead by example and honor the 6 million dollar handshake Promise she made when you were 3 months old?
I have several sworn affidavits from eyewitnesses, and have plenty of concrete evidence to support all but one of my statements. Only two people on the planet can verify that a 6 million dollar handshake agreement took place. Me and your mom. To support my statements on that issue, I signed a sworn affidavit and have taken and passed multiple Polygraph Examinations. Two of those Polygraph results can be viewed @ rolanfarr on Twitter.
The 6 men who Christened you have made our own Promises. When your mom honors her Promise, we will donate $120 thousand dollars to Ebony Nettles Bey’s Cancer fund. We will help several area non-profit organizations and have plans to partner with an Akron group to start a scholarship program. Thats just for starters.
You’ve worked extremely hard to become the best basketball player on the planet but give the Universe credit for the incredible gifts you were given. 6ft 8 inches, 250+ pounds, near world class speed, an eidetic memory, a 40+ inch vertical leap, a 7ft + wingspan, above average sized hands and a high basketball I.Q. Why were you GIVEN these gifts?….I’m sure that answer will be revealed to you eventually. Just remember, you were raised in the air and Christened to be the next “Dr J” by Akron’s best basketball team and by a man who was touched by Muhammad Ali’s greatness. You were predicted to be an NBA star, play for the Cavs and be a high flying player like “Dr J”. All three of my predictions came true. Please Respect the Divine Powers of the Universe…because Anything is Possible!!
So there you have it. The untold true story that I HAD to share with you. I am predicting your mom will keep her Promise and you will embrace your Cosmic Connections. Whether this prediction comes true is entirely on you two. Please reach out to Muhammad Ali while you can. Spend some quality time with him, it will change your life. Do a basketball project with “Dr J”. That would be a gift to basketball fans young and old.
There’s a list of facts surrounding your Cosmic Connection that will make you go….. Hmmm. I’ll share that with you.
For seven years I’ve been hated on, hacked, blocked and judged but not once has anybody bothered to get an actual response from your mother. You and your mom have been blessed immensely. Honoring her millionaires Promise won’t break you financially. Yes, it’s a lot of money.. but she Promised. A timely response to this letter will be greatly appreciated. PLEASE don’t ignore it. Follow me on Twitter if you choose to embrace us. Everything else can be handled privately.
Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl.
Warmest Regards,
Rolando Pharr
P.S….Do The Right Thing before the 2015 NBA Playoffs start and The Universe may send some luck the Cavs way….or ’64 and counting.
PEACE
Read more at http://sheridanhoops.com/2015/03/30/lebron-book-redemption-of-the-king-exclusive-excerpts-here/#8L9ETflC1WYQGoVc.99