OpinionRight field: LeBron James' homecoming is heartfelt decision
NBA colossus' move back to Cleveland seems genuine attempt at atonement, but contract leaves the escape door unlocked
It is an unsightly, corrosive and flaky coating of iron oxide, more commonly known as rust, and it has come to define northeast Ohio. You think of the rust belt and the first place you think of is Cleveland. It has been a default reaction for years and has helped to contribute to the national punchline that Cleveland has become in the US.
As in, "it could be worse, you could be in Cleveland" and almost on cue the local sports teams have compounded the regional misery by being routinely abysmal.
It has been 50 years since a team has won a professional championship in Cleveland, so if you live in northeastern Ohio it's not because you like bragging.
His essay can't help but melt the heart of anyone who has ever been around northeast Ohio
It's not because of the weather either, with harsh winters featuring blizzard-like winds whipping in off Lake Erie. And you probably don't live in Cleveland because you like driving beat-up old Buicks covered in rust.
Nope, as far as the rest of America is concerned you live in Cleveland because you have to.
Understandably, many of the region's best and brightest have fled as soon as humanly possible for more comfortable and dynamic locales in places like California, Arizona and Florida. I mean, the only thing you can say Cleveland has in common with Miami Beach is that the people in both places need oxygen.
So it seems completely logical that a 25-year-old multi-millionaire at the top of his trade would wish to relocate to southern Florida from northeastern Ohio as LeBron James did four years ago when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.