Win Or Lose, LeBron James Shouldn’t Leave Cleveland
It has been the talk of the NBA for the past few years, “Will LeBron James Leave Cleveland in 2010?” While many believe he will remain a Cav, the recent drubbing by the Boston Celtics in game five, which put the Cavs on the brink of elimination, has brought the topic back in full force.
Although some speculate LeBron could bolt for the big city dreams of New York City, upon further review, the move doesn’t make much sense. LeBron has taken charge of a lowly Cavalier team and shaped it all around him. From big men to point guards to coaches, James has been running Cleveland since his arrival back in 2003.
Great players build great teams. Michael Jordan did it as a Bull, Isiah Thomas did it as a Piston, Magic Johnson did it as a Laker and Tim Duncan did it as a Spur. None of these great players tucked their tail between their legs and ran when the going got tough. Remember how everyone was concerned with Michael Jordan not being able to get past the Pistons? Well he did it and after that it was smooth sailing en route to six championship rings. Nobody said it was going to be easy. But you have to buckle down, take your lumps and come back stronger.
If LeBron were to go to the Knicks, the pressure to win would be beyond inexplicable. Not to mention the fact the team the Knicks currently field has nothing for LeBron, outside of David Lee. Sure, they may be able to woo another big name, but that doesn’t automatically equate to a championship. Remember the Houston Rockets squad that had Barkley, Olajuwon and Pippen in their starting five? Where did that team go? Not far enough. Anything less than a quarter final appearance in his first season will be viewed as failure.
Why go somewhere where the city is bigger than you are? New York is New York. If you aren’t from there, you cannot become one of them without bringing instant success. More importantly, this is the opportunity LeBron has to become a city, not betray it. Jordan IS Chicago. Magic IS Los Angeles. Isiah IS Detroit. LeBron needs to be Cleveland. Going to New York will overshadow LeBron James as an individual. The microscope might burn him if he isn’t ready for this kind of spotlight. You can lose in Cleveland. They may be mad for a couple of days, but they’ll get over it due to the fact that they have never been this close to an NBA championship. You can’t lose in New York. If LeBron thought those boos were bad on Sunday, he hasn’t seen anything yet. They’ll boo him worse for missing a game winning three-pointer in a regular season game. And New York is known to dump a player in a heartbeat if things aren’t going right. Don’t think that LeBron will retire a Knick if immediate success doesn’t come. He’s just as disposable (if not more) than Patrick Ewing, and we all remember how that went.
Hopefully, this isn’t about the money. If it is, LeBron is already rich and the Knicks can’t make him any richer. Neither can any other team. The Cavs can offer the best contract that no other team can compete with. The biggest problem with the Knicks is the salary cap. It’s not like the Yankees where you can buy everyone with no penalty. The Knicks have some issues to take care of and it’s going to take a couple of years to right the wrongs that took place during the Isiah Thomas era. Simply put, there’s not a better team that can immediately be fielded around LeBron.
If the Cavs don’t win the championship, King James should suck it up, get over it and live to fight another day. That’s what true champions do.
One thing to say CHICAGO BULLS!!!!!!!!!!
This article has so many distorted facts that it’s embarrassing. First of all, The reason many of those players you listed above stayed with their team is because they never had the OPPORTUNITY of free agency in their prime like Lebron has. The situations are completely different. Secondly, David Lee is a free agent, he isn’t property of the Knicks. You mention they can offer Lebron a 2nd max guy, but that isn’t enough to guarantee a championship. What would “guarantee” that? I think teaming him up with Chris Bosh would make the Knicks better than the Cavs currently are.
You mentioned that the Rockets had three superstars on their team, and where did that get them. First of all, those three guys were WAY past their prime. To insinuate that they all played together at the peak of their powers is ridiculous. Also, what is Lebron supposed to do…not team up with a 2nd superstar, simply because at one time, a Houston team with three aging superstars failed to win the title? Ridiculous.
Lastly, your views on NY fans are simply based on ignorance than reality and fact. To say that we will boo Lebron if he misses a game winning 3 pointer in the regular season is laughable. Find me one instance where we booed ANY player for missing a game winning 3 in the past 10 years, and I’ll believe you. Try and find it, you will fail. We boo TEAMS when they are playing exceptionally bad. The misconception of us booing any and all players for no reason is simply untrue. Go to a Knicks home game once and then you can talk about their fans. We had a horrible team last year; however, the support provided to said horrible team was outstanding.
And finally…Patrick Ewing. Saying that NY is known to dump players when things aren’t going right…EWING was the one who requested a trade. Get your facts straight. Again, name me 1 player that the Knicks cast out as you claim, and I’ll believe you. These misconceptions about NY and their fans is based on nothing. Have you ever been to a Knick game, or followed the team?
Matt, u mad?
Matt,
In the immortal words of Killa Cam…
YOU MAAAAAAAAAD
Again one thing to say CHICAGO BULLS!!!! Looks like that is the best fit for LBJ….
Knicks suck and alway will! Okay, got that out of my system. Great players make everyone around them better. If the other 4 starters can’t improve maybe Brony isn’t that great.
Think about it Rose, LBJ, Noah, Deng…… I smell playoffs if LBJ goes to Chicago!!!!
Well it looks more and more now since the lost last night that LBJ may end up in the Chi Town….