SognCenter: LeBron’s move shouldn’t cost respect

eBron James.  What comes to mind when I say the name? A lot of  different things for each person.

Me? I love the guy.  I can relate to him.  I can cheer for him because I feel he is real.

His latest commercial, the one that deals with the question, "What should I do?" has created a fair amount of buzz.  He continued to drag on his conflict with the entire city of Cleveland, and even called out Charles Barkley, who told him he was no longer a role model.

Pretty edgey stuff if you ask me.

I was always told to let things go.  Often told that I can only control my own actions, not other people around me.  When stuff goes awry, put on a smile and get on with life.  I've struggled with that at times, so I can connect with LeBron.

When I see a basketball rim, my first thought is to dunk the ball home.  Same as LeBron.  How many times I've done that doesn't need to be disclosed, but I'm working on it.

Favorite part of the commercial?  His look into the future.  At the Hall-of-Fame banquet, LeBron has an awkward, college student-like moment.  No one shows up to watch his speech but the waitress.

"So, this went well," LeBron mentions to her, looking onto an empty room.  "Should I really believe I ruined my legacy?"

Did he?  No way.  The guy is off to a great start in Miami.  In losing fans in Cleveland, he made millions in the state of Florida.  And, making the Hall has nothing to do with public relations.  In fact, the entire league has limited success in public relation work.

Sorry David Stern, whine and complain all you want about improving the image of "your" league, but it's a joke to many sports fans.  The league has a bad reputation, and while "The Decision" didn't help PR in James' corner, it doesn't hurt him in the long run. I'm happy he left. 

Miami isn't my first choice, but playing with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh is hard to pass up.

"Should I admit I made mistakes?" LeBron asks.

Mistake?  What mistake?

So the fans in Cleveland are hurt.  Sorry folks, get a real team.  When your starting five last season featured Anderson Viejo, Mo Williams and Anthony Parker, it's hard to imagine the team raising any trophy at the end of the year.

"Should I be who you want me to be?"  No LeBron, just play. 

Just Do It.