On the four-year anniversary of 'The Decision,' the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James are different

LeBron James decision

In this image from video, NBA free agent LeBron James speaks at the start of an interview on ESPN on where he plans to play basketball next year, Thursday, July 8, 2010, in Greenwich, Conn. James said that he's decided to join the Miami Heat and leave the Cleveland Cavaliers after an unsuccessful seven-year quest for the championship he covets.

(AP Photo/ESPN)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In sports, as in life, there are memorable moments of victory and despair. In Cleveland, we are still stung by The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot and others.

They are moments that we will always remember, with the dates ingrained into our memory.

For Cavs fans and people around the NBA, July 8, 2010, is one of them as well. It's when the game's biggest star, LeBron James, uttered these famous words: "This fall, I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat." It's a day known as The Decision.

James did it on national TV, ending his time in Cleveland and crushing its fans. Jerseys were burned, the super-sized mural in downtown was removed and James' name was mentioned in the same breath as Cleveland villain Art Modell.

Fans were floored, in shock that the one-time fan favorite would plunge the symbolic dagger in while on national television. Emotions of shock and sadness quickly turned to anger. James was labeled a "traitor" and "quitter."

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert had his own choice words for James hours after "The Decision." With the wound still open, Gilbert reacted like a fan, referring to James as the "self-titled former king." Gilbert even called him a "coward."

Since that fateful evening, the Cavs have been living in the basement of the Eastern Conference while the Heat has risen to prominence. The NBA Draft Lottery has become an annual tradition for the wine and gold. For a few years, it even became a party, a justification for awful basketball as the Cavs piled up top five picks.

As that was going on, Miami was making annual trips to the NBA Finals in June, hoisting the trophy on two separate occasions. Cleveland has made three coaching changes and a few adjustments in the front office while Miami has been the picture of stability.

The pursuit of championships drove James to South Beach, forming a Big Three with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, and it turned out to be the right call from a basketball standpoint. He went to four-straight Finals and two shiny rings are the focal point of his trophy case. But his resume remains stained because of what happened four years ago. The truth is July 8 is not just a date on a calendar. It's the worst moment in James' career, something that has had a negative impact on his legacy. People still talk about it and hold it against him.

He's won titles. He's overcome playoff demons. He's cemented his standing as the best player in the NBA. He's even apologized. Not for the decision itself, but for how he went about it. One thing James hasn't done is erase the memories from that night. He can though with one announcement.

On July 8 this year, the four-year anniversary of "The Decision," things are different. James is different. He's going to be 30 years old in December. He has two kids. He's married. He's no longer the player starving for validation.

The Cavs are different as well. The roster has changed, and while the Cavs haven't had a winning season since James left, the future is bright, and they have something to offer the game's biggest star. Two-time All-Star Kyrie Irving is the main sales pitch from a basketball standpoint. He's 22 years old and a rising talent at a position of weakness for Miami the last few years.

The Cavs also have financial flexibility, an owner willing to spend money, other young players accumulated through the draft, future picks and assets needed to pull off a blockbuster deal this summer.

The Cavs have already made the loudest noise this off-season, agreeing to a contract extension with Irving. Four years after he left Cleveland heartbroken, you can bet LeBron James is listening as his next decision approaches.