To go from being almost universally loved to the subject of bile and vitriol is an unfortunate thing, and it's what basketball star LeBron James has endured the past couple of weeks.


As he knows – or should, by now – things are bound to get worse before they get better.


James, probably the most gifted and effective baller on the planet, announced July 8 he's leaving the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers to play for the Miami Heat, alongside blue-chip stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.


He made the announcement during an hour-long prime-time special on ESPN, a move booed roundly from many corners but none so vehemently as from Ohio, James' home state.


Within minutes of his announcement, Clevelanders were burning replica jerseys bearing his name.


The day after, an Ohio newspaper published an edition dominated by the image of James walking away, taking jabs at his inability to win an NBA championship with the Cavs.


Last week the Associated Press reported a Cleveland brewery is re-releasing a bitter beer inspired by James' decision to leave: "a dry hopped India pale ale that leaves a bitter aftertaste, perfectly describing the mood of Cleveland sports fans these days," according to the report.


Plenty more is likely in store.


When James returns to Cleveland as a member of the Heat, it will not be to a chorus of cheers.


It will be hard for him to spend much time in Ohio in the next few months, and fans in his home state aren't likely to forgive his decision for years, if at all.


The truth is that James didn't have to leave Cleveland to win a championship.
Given enough time and the right supporting cast, it would have eventually happened.


But even at age 25, James has reason to be impatient. Media folk often point out he's been in the league seven seasons and Michael Jordan – the only modern player with both comparable skill and a comparable brand – had won a title by his seventh year.


James needs to win now, or sometime close to now, and moving to Miami was his best bet to do it.


There have been questions about how Miami will fill out its roster, having spent most of its money on Bosh, Wade and James. But any number of veterans seeking a ring could be enticed to jump aboard and play for minimum wage.


Questions about chemistry issues between the Big Three are legitimate, but somewhat overblown. They played together with a slew of other all-stars at the 2008 Olympics, putting egos aside long enough to win a gold medal.


Here's betting they could do the same for a year or three in search of a few rings.


They'll need to if James wants to salvage his image, one that has taken a serious hit of late.


The major criticism is not that he left but the way he did it – making what appeared to be disingenuous statements and exuding narcissism while Cleveland fans sat on pins and needles.


Winning is the only thing that will begin to erase the criticism he's received of late, but some of the damage is likely irreparable.


James has many fans outside Cleveland, but none so thoroughly invested in him as Ohioans were.

The decision to leave, and any winning that ensues, will come with a cost. We'll see how he handles it.