While I have not wanted to discuss the NBA ever since the Magic’s “Disappearing Act” in the semifinals, this LeBron issue has to be discussed. This is the big talk of the sports town, overpowering even the amazing World Cup and the Year of the Pitcher in MLB (unfortunately). And now tonight he is planning this big, egotistical one-hour dedication focused solely on who he is going to sign with. Quite arrogant, eh? As if he doesn’t get enough attention to begin with. Why not just announce it on Twitter, like Durant for the Thunder? Because he is LeBron and needs more spotlight. After his disastrous game 5 incident against the Celtics, I was so sure that his legacy would be tarnished. The end result was that he was forgiven, even though its now a guarantee I would never, ever, ever want him on my team.
But with this big one-hour special, I am speculating that he is doing this to further his legacy and increase his financial situation. This big ratings-heavy special is all about the money. And if its all about the money, I predict the team he is going to is the Knicks. He is right next to Knick country announcing his decision, which is why I think New York is his next chapter of his NBA career. However, I have created a bunch of “What if” scenarios, depending on what team he picks.
New York Knicks
This is my pick, but if he does choose this spot, then it will be him back in square one just like in Cleveland. The Cavs have a decent team, had a great center, but no Scottie Pippen for LeBron to play with. Amare is a great center, but does not meet the qualifications to become a truly great sidekick. Centers rarely ever make great sidekicks, because they are low-post players, they can’t contribute much outside the paint. The lone wolf exception was the Los Angeles Lakers, when it was Kobe with Shaq, because Shaq was just too dominating a center to not be considered a Scottie Pippen-like sidekick. If LeBron picks the Knicks, he is doing it because of lifestyle and financial choice, not because he wants to win. If he wants to win, his chances are better in Miami, Chicago, and even Cleveland.
New Jersey Nets
He is an idiot if he picks this place, no question about it. The Nets are a sinking ship of a franchise, and their only hope for improvement is if they pull a Tampa Bay Rays incident and change the name or totally change the location and start life anew. But until then, the New Jersey Nets have no shot in the playoffs, even if LeBron comes into town. Remember there was a time when Kobe struggled to get into the playoffs after the disappearance of Shaq---because a great player with nobody else leads to struggling beyond repair. While the NBA of the 90s was much much tougher for a player to carry a team, its still a tough task nowadays. LeBron will be the laughing stock of the NBA if he picks the Nets.
Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron will become a national hero and icon in the state of Ohio if he stays over there. No question about it. While he won’t win, his legacy will definitely take a step forward and be forgiven for his performance in the playoffs. They will build statues of him, they will name restaurants after him, etc. Even if he doesn’t win it all, Cleveland would forever be grateful. They would make The Decision a statewide holiday. But, if he were to pick anybody that isn’t Cleveland, then The Decision will be up there is Cleveland sports disappointment history next to The Drive, The Debacle, and The Shot. It would be the worst thing to happen to Cleveland sports since the 1997 World Series, when the Indians blew the 9th-inning lead. Imagine, on national television, announcing that you are leaving the city that loved you, looked up to you, totally respected you, and counted on you to win a championship.
Chicago Bulls
If LeBron chooses the Bulls, it’s definitely because he is trying to follow the footsteps of Michael Jordan. However, I know he’d have to change his number; it would be a total insult to Jordan if he played there with that number. Nonetheless, he would have an excellent supporting staff, much like Wade back in his Finals win---no major major stars (Shaq was aging) but plenty of chemistry to win it all. The Bulls would be just as dangerous as the Orlando Magic and the aging Boston Celtics. Funny thing is that everyone was pointing here as his destination at first, but all that talk is about gone.
Miami Heat
Championship Caliber Team to the Nth Degree. If LeBron joins the Miami Heat, then we have a major rivalry that’s about to explode, and we have the Southeast Division becoming the most lethal division in all of sports. Imagine the Magic, Heat, and Hawks in the same division. Imagine the Magic vs. Heat matchups throughout the season, this would be amazingly epic. If LeBron wants to win and have fun, he would go to Miami, where the lifestyle is grand, and the style of play would be nothing short of explosively fast. LeBron would have his Scottie Pippen, and Bosh would be their Horace Grant. If you are a fan of the NBA and want the NBA to reach new heights in popularity, then you’d want to see Wade and LeBron in the same team. They would be very exciting to watch, but of course, we don’t know if LeBron is willing to sacrifice millions. I’d say whatever he lacks in money on the contract; he can more than make up for in endorsement deals. If I were an NBA player, I’d absolutely love to play for Miami. Screw the millions, I’m in Miami *itch!
Bottom Line: If he wants money, then the Knicks is where he is going. He is going to suck in the millions, and suck in the losses. If he wants to win many more ballgames, then he should head down South and join Wade, and sacrifice a little of the spotlight. If he wants the entire spotlight and still want to win, then Chicago would be a great choice. If he wants legacy to the likes of a Reggie Miller of John Stockton (Excellent players that never won it all but remains a staple of his city) then Cleveland is his pick. If he wants to ruin his entire career, then New Jersey he goes. All in all, I think it’s the Knicks, but for the sake of the NBA and trying to revive more interest, I would absolutely love to see him in Miami with Bosh, Wade, and Pat Riley running the show in the background. Tonight will determine how the NBA is going to play out for the next several years.
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