NBA | It’s time to put a balm on that burning sensation

A Miami Heat fan burns a Dwyane Wade jersey after the player made known his intention to leave the club after 13 seasons, and three NBA championships, for his hometown Chicago Bulls.

by Jack Kerwin  |  [email protected]

Burn, baby, burn.

It’s the impassioned plea every scorned fan base now seemingly implores at store-bought replica jerseys encased in flames fueled by bitterness as favorite athletes flee the scene in search of a better situation or larger bank account.

Take that, LeBron. You, too, KD. Don’t think you’re off the hook, either, D-Wade.

Of all the stupid, idiotic and – keeping it real – absolutely meaningless things performed by gritting-teeth people who pay exorbitant amounts of money to create these fantasy connections with gifted, pampered individuals, this has to top ’em all.

Got it. Those “left behind” feel betrayed. They’ve invested in the relationship. Poured their heart and soul into it. Put their faith in it.

Now it’s gone.

Only one problem … there never was any relationship in the first place.

At least not one in the way that those who bleed the team colors think there is.

Even with those rare, high-paid individuals who bond with the city they play in, whether they happened to have grown up there or landed there courtesy of some business transaction, those who cheer for them in that city are not family or friends … unless they actually are family or friends.

You, the fan, are not their buddy, their BFF or a love interest.

Never were. Never, ever were going to be.

Sorry, just reality.

Perhaps facing that would help curtail any of the pyromaniac silliness residing within.

Not for nothing, but the idea that athletes would share the same feelings for a team or town is inherently flawed. Fans are drawn in emotionally. Players are drawn in financially.

They are professionals. They are hired guns. They are independent contractors.

Always have been … even “back in the day.”

If an athlete loves anything in regard to the whole dynamic, it is the sport itself.

Oh, unless the guy is a non-human, he appreciates the support from fans. Likes the applause, maybe even the criticism if it helps to drive him to do better.

But there is no special, sealed-in-DNA bond that he will be forever indebted to that team, that town, that fan base … especially if the checks and balances align perfectly somewhere else.

Put it this way, the guys who bolt for what they believe are greener pastures ain’t exactly second-guessing themselves once they see their former jerseys burning in effigy.

Talk about ungrateful.

James left Cleveland after having carried the Cavaliers for seven years, even taking them to one title appearance. He left Miami after leading the Heat to four championship series in a row and two crowns.

Wade left Miami after being the face of the franchise for 13 seasons and a key force in all three of its championships.

Durant left the Oklahoma City franchise after nine campaigns and one NBA Finals appearance.

These are individuals you don’t want to wish well in their future endeavors?

Seems to me they fulfilled any legit obligations they could have had to those respective constituencies and then some.

Get a grip and put the lighters and matches down.

If nothing else, you’d be saving a collector’s item … or, in James’ case, paraphernalia for when he returns.

James left Cleveland after having carried the Cavaliers for seven years, even taking them to one title appearance. He left Miami after leading the Heat to four championship series in a row and two crowns. Wade left Miami after being the face of the franchise for 13 seasons and a key force in all three of its championships. Durant left the Oklahoma City franchise after nine campaigns and one NBA Finals appearance. These are individuals you don’t want to wish well in their future endeavors? Seems to me they fulfilled any legit obligations they could have had to those respective constituencies and then some.