Cavaliers player writes emotional open letter to LeBron
The Cleveland Cavaliers look more like the Cleveland Cadavers after LeBron James signed with the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League …
… wait. My sources tell me the crew of castoffs and nobodies LeBron went to join are actually the Los Angeles Lakers and will be playing in the NBA next season.
Anyway, Cedi Osman, the Macedonian-born, Turkish international 23-year-old who played his rookie season alongside LeBron in Cleveland last year, wrote a touching open letter to his former teammate upon LeBron’s departure from Northeast Ohio.
Said Osman, “Some people bring out the worst in you, others bring out the best. And there are remarkably rare ones, who just bring out the most of everything that even you don’t know that you have. They build you up. They make you feel alive. They make you feel strong. They make you feel indisputable. From the first moment we met, you’ve always been that rare one for me, King.
“I don’t believe in coincidences. I choose to believe my path crossed with you for a reason. And that reason will be uncovered as I continue to walk through. Please accept my highest gratitude for your support and appreciation for your inspiration. I’m truly blessed to have been surrounded by your charm.”
Osman took to Instagram, capturing an emotional moment from last season with the accompanying picture captioned in English and Turkish.
Addressing LeBron as “King” was a nice touch, reading more like a peasant’s letter to his sovereign in medieval times than a fellow professional’s words to a colleague and, at least on paper in the eyes of the union, equal.
James was apparently quite fond of Osman, referring to him during the season as “my rook” and citing Osman as his “favorite celebration partner.”
"On time, on target once again."
Cedi Osman is LeBron's go-to teammate for celebrations. #Cavs pic.twitter.com/s68NCfBioA
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) April 26, 2018
LeBron’s departure from Cleveland has been marked by a lot less animosity than his infamous “taking my talents to South Beach” signing with the Miami Heat that included the spectacularly ill-advised “Decision” show on ESPN in 2010.
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, far from releasing a venomous rant in Comic Sans, instead had much more professional words for his departed player, reflecting all of Northeast Ohio’s gratitude to James for bringing Cleveland its first pro sports championship since 1964 when the Cavs defeated the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer also took a conciliatory tone, headlining its story on James “Gone Again” but referring to his second stint with the Cavs a “promise kept.”
The Plain Dealer, July 2, 2018.
Page A1@KingJames: Gone Again and Promise Kept pic.twitter.com/3nGU4yCbVg— The Plain Dealer (@ThePlainDealer) July 2, 2018
LeBron’s legacy secured, the city of Cleveland fulfilled and left with no other course but accepting that LeBron’s work there is done, Osman’s words reflect the mood that the story has been satisfactorily concluded.
And while Osman may very well have a long NBA career ahead of him — anyone who can shoot 48.4 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three as a rookie is probably someone who’s going to grow nicely into a rotation player’s role in the modern 3-and-D NBA — his rookie season is likely to be the one he remembers most when it’s all said and done.
The Cavaliers look more like a YMCA squad than a Finals team this coming season.
But the echoes of their greatest glory will carry them through these newfound dark times.
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