LeBron James to the Los Angeles Clippers Would Be Magic 2.0

In 1979, basketball wasn't dead, but it was on life support.

The games were, for the most part, lifeless.  For every Julius Erving, George Gervin, and David Thompson, there were a hundred other players that couldn't shoot straight.

The college game was more entertaining to watch.

Something had to change for the pro game.  Sometimes change occurs slowly over time, but for the game of professional basketball, that was headed to dullsville fast, the change came quick.  It was a sudden jolt, a quick left turn, that was obvious to everyone watching the Lakers season opener in the 1979-1980 season.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the ball near the free-throw line.  He swung to the left, elevated, and shot to the right.  The classic Kareem skyhook went in for the buzzer beater, giving the Lakers game one of the season. 

It's always nice to win.  It's always nice to win the season opener.  It's cool when its on a buzzer beater.  Kareem was no doubt ready to accept a high five or two.  Maybe a chest bump and a point up to the crowd at most.  He was not expecting over the top exuberance over a regular season game.

No one was; but it was time for basketball to take a left turn.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, playing in his first NBA game, went wacko after Kareem's shot.  He not only bumped chests with the Laker center he hugged him.  A hug, in basketball, after a regular season game?  The pro game had never seen anything like it.  It was at that moment, as Magic gave Kareem that bear hug, that everything changed. 

From that moment on, the normally reserved crowds at Laker games were energized.  Rivalries were established that lured fans in droves.

Basketball was saved that day.

Melodrama?  Sure, but it doesn't make it any less true.

In 2010, the Los Angles Clippers aren't dead but remain on life support.

The team plays under the long and dark shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers.  Where the Lakers represent all that is good about the game of basketball, the Clippers represent, well, the opposite.

The Lakers mix in a year or two of poor seasons around decades of dominance.  The Clippers tossed in one magical season in 2006 around decades of dullsville.

The Clippers make the news when their TV announcers mispronounce things.  They headline ESPN when one of their players is dunked on my Dwight Howard.  They play games, but few notice. 

They have no history to look back to with pride.  No jerseys in the rafters.  No championships.  They just exist.

Few teams in the NBA are more in need of a quick left turn as the Los Angeles Clippers are.

LeBron James = quick left turn.

Imagine game one of the 2010-2011 season. 

James shocked everyone by picking the Clippers over Cleveland and New York months earlier.  His departure from Cleveland was difficult for him and for everyone in Ohio.  The Cavs loss to the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals last season however made the move inevitable.

James had energized Cleveland.  He had taken an otherwise rudderless team to the brink of greatness.  James had done all he could do in his hometown, it was time to move on to the lights of Hollywood.

"I have nothing but love for Cleveland, but it's time for me to take another step in my career.  To move on to bigger and better better things.  I may live in L.A. now, but my heart will always be in Cleveland." James said at his new conference.

He had chosen Los Angeles in spite of concerns of the Clippers "Curse."  "I admit to cursing from time to time, but I don't believe in curses." James said to laughter as he explained his choice.  Los Angeles offered him the right mix of location, personnel and opportunities.  The choice, he said, was easy.

The buzz in Los Angeles was unlike anything the city had ever seen.  Los Angeles is not a town, a city or a village its a huge expanse of space with people milling about.  There are no parades, no community mixers.  Nothing brings L.A. together.  LeBron James arrival, however, did.

Playa Vista, where the Clippers practice, was overrun with media.  His first practice was reported on.  "I have word today that LeBron made a behind the back pass to Blake Griffin for a dunk on his first touch of the ball!" was the breaking news of the day.

"This just in, LeBron worked up a sweat while leading his team to a victory during an practice scrimmage."

The anticipation for the first preseason game was palpable.  Los Angeles was ready to explode!

"I'm excited to see LeBron here." Kobe Bryant said with no expression on his face.  "It's good for the city, good for the game and damn sure good for the Clippers." He smiled as he walked away.

After the media circus that was the preseason completed the regular season was set to start.  Because James signed with the Clippers early during the free agent process the NBA was able to line up games that mattered most to start the 2010-2011 season.

Game one pitted the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers against the retooled Los Angeles Clippers.  It would be a Clipper home game in Staples center.  The site of the Lakers victory over the Magic in last seasons Finals.

Lakers vs. Clippers.

Former Champion vs. Future Champs

Kobe vs. LeBron

The tip bounced around before it settled into the hands of Baron Davis.  Davis, understanding the significance of the moment, handed the ball to James.

Kobe called for a switch and went to guard the Clipper forward as he brought the ball up the court.

No one at Staples sat down.

Kobe looked into LeBron's eyes, they both seemed to smirk at the same time.  The battle for Los Angeles had begun.  A rivalry was established.  Clipper home games would never be the same again.

Can you feel it?

The table is set.  The offer is no doubt being written up right now in Clipper headquarters.  Mike Dunleavy and Donald Sterling understand.  The Clippers understand.  You see, the Clippers have been here before.  They witnessed first hand how a single special player can change the course of a team.

Back in 1979, that Kareem skyhook was made against the San Diego Clippers.

It's time for karma to come into play and the Clippers get the player that changes everything.

LeBron has to sign with the Clippers. It's karma.