My take on "The Decision"

Meet LeBron James of the 2010 Free Agency, the same LeBron James who is the recipient of all the unprecedented hate lately.

 

LeBron James, 25, has already achieved massive individual success in the NBA, but the team success is lacking. In 2006, LeBron James was 21, and more importantly; he was a boy who played for himself. He said, "I don't want to go ring chasing." LeBron James has changed his priorities since he made that foolhardy statement, for the better. Now all he wants to do is win a championship or at least it his first and foremost priority. He does not want to be the best, which means he does not care about achievements and accolades. Seemingly, he was put his legacy aside. I do not imply he completely undermines it, but rather it is alright some of it should be scarified for championship rings. Or perhaps he wants to go about his legacy by winning. He's might be trying the Bill Russell route, trying to live off his early individual and stressing team legacy. Hence his decision of Miami over Chicago, where is legacy would be much more intact (still be the "man", win some rings). He does not want to even be "the man". He does not want to involve his emotions in the decision. He seemingly does not care about his public persona, as it has been wrongfully tarnished. He cares about money, but is willing to take a paycut for the team so they can get some quality role players. Yeah, he will make up for it in endorsements, but he would have gotten more money, endorsements, and would get to be the man over SAT-cheating hero in Derrick Rose if he so chose Chicago. But he wants to win and he feels Miami's the bets place for that. And this is how it should be for EVERY PLAYER, because winning is the goal of sports. Heck, this might not even hit his legacy. The general consensus Kobe wasn't the man for more than half his rings, and his legacy or resume or whatever seems in top shape. Same thing with Kareem. This is the exact opposite of having an ego, steeping down and admitting you aren't the man, albeit subliminally. But there is no way getting around he does have an ego. Weird, huh? Let me elaborate of these few points...

 

We must address the question: Was Miami the right choice for LeBron?

 

Cleveland was in simple terms: not the right place. After LeBron left, it was revealed as it really is a city (understandably upset with the lack of sports success and economical problems) that is not able to understand something so simple a team that is not thankful for all LeBron has done for it. Cleveland citizens, so you are holding LeBron captive for your own economical and entertainment benefit? He might have not been drafted by the Cavaliers... He is a blessing, a privilege, but this privilege has plans. And Danny Ferry failed to keep that privilege by bringing in overrated players cannot play defense. Look below for details. I don't think this city reacting this way is appropriate but it is understandable, knowing its history. They are just upset. He is the only hope for the city in the past half century and has made the city prosperous, but being practical people, they should say: We need to thank him for all that he has done, not stuff he won't be doing the next decade! They react in ways I would view as irrational and pessimistic. LeBron owed you nothing. The media made him a king, and so did the pampering Cavs organization. He would have wound up like Barkley, fat, pompous, but no ring... Possibly a ring... LeBron wants 10 rings... Loyalty will get you nowhere. Loyalty will make you a slave to the people. No, I'm not Jesse Jackson and don't take the latter of the two aforementioned statements seriously. He conducted himself like that because of the situation he was in... Never in the Olympics did you see that kind of arrogance form LeBron like he did in the Cavs... In return, he literally tripled the franchise value for the Cavs. Look at Forbe's list before and after James if you don't believe me... And they aren't even grateful. Not an ounce? Quit with all the damn pessimism! And I'm not even going to discuss Dan Gilbert... You lost big Z too now with your unprofessional comments. Shaq is going to bolt for sure. How does Miami's, or more specifically, LeBron and Big Z's posterior, taste like? It's a business. If LeBron James betrayed you, then you betray players every time you trade them.

 

As I mentioned before, LeBron has his priorities in order. His first priority is to win. He also stated emotions were not a factor in making this decision; hence this is an act of selfishness. We can't expect everybody to be selfless Saints. Sometimes you have to be selfish to get what you want and I respect him even more for that. LeBron stated he just made the decisions. Who are we to argue that? As for the method of speech, the irresponsibility, the hype, it's your fault. As this article by Bhemis Parks states, this is YOUR fault. Remember, you created all this unnecessary hype and speculation. You wrongfully held him to godlike standards, which resulted him "breaking out hearts", when plays who were equal to him in caliber like CP3 and Dwyane Wade were doing their thing. You proclaimed him "the future GOAT" or exclaimed him "LeHype Shames"; being a crazed delusional while you were at it. You caused all the hype, resulting in this one-hour special. Do you honestly think LeBron called them up and "I want a one hour special with proceeds going to charity to lighten the blow, pronto."

 

It's FREE AGENCY for Pete sake. Announcing the location of your employment should not be the big deal ESPN is making it. Clevelanders are acting as if LeBron left a woman for another. A member of Basketball teams is just a SPORT, nor some kind of lifelong marital bond. Irrational fans at it's best, I tell ya. I will tell you what you will think of LeBron James, this co-called tyrant right, one month after he wins his first NBA title, whenever that may be. You will forgive him. Just like you forgave Kobe for running Shaq out of LA, allegedly committing some adulterous acts, and demanding a trade. His own coach called him "uncoachable". You despised him. When LA obligated his wish for an all-star caliber sidekick, they won and you forgave him for that. You forgave this very man, LeBron James, for his shenanigan in high school (Hummer, autographed retro Jersey) after St. Vincent-Mary won the national title. Forgiveness comes with winning.

 

A common misconception is that LeBron's surrounding cast in Cleveland was adequate to win a championship against he likes of the Celtics and Lakers. It was anything but. None of the players in Cleveland are all-star caliber. Mo Williams is an overrated one-dimensional shoot first guard who will give you 15-20 inconsistently but is incapable of running an offense or being the leader of a successful team. He is one dimensional. Mo Williams 43.3% of his shots taken form the beyond three-point line. His AST-TO ratio is approximately 2, which is lower than LeBron James. Considering he is a point-guard and handles the ball 70% less, it should not be lower than LeBron. In the playoffs, Mo Williams stats generally decreased. Note that these players both had the luxury of playing with an unselfish superstar in James, whose production INCREASES in the playoffs, a rare trait. But let's focus on the series against the Celtics. In 38 minutes, Mo Williams average 13.3 PPG, 5.5 APG, of 42% (27/64) FG and (4/19) 3PT. Along with the sub-par offensive performance, he let Rondo average ridiculous numbers, which don't need to be mentioned. Actually, they do: 20.7 PPG, 11.8 APG, 6.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG off 54% shooting. This brings me to Mo William's defense. He is lost on screens, cannot find his man at times, let's people blow by him and is just an overall mess. Nearly everything I said about Mo Williams can be applied to Antwan Jamison. He is ALWAYS gambling on defense, and he's also one-dimensional and an incapable leader. No wonder Rondo and Garnett rolled them flat mad closed in on LeBron, forcing him to doo too much work. The rest of the team is quite solid and deep, but they were not utilized by Mike Brown. He could have used Hickson to pick and roll with LeBron. It would have work, I'd think. His production would have certainly been up. He could have used Big Z to cause mismatched and spread the floor, Perkins is not a threat and Big is solid defensively anyways. He could have played Powe to play mind games and Moon to defend well and bring energy. He could have used Boobie Gibson, who is a much better defender and might have actually been hitting shots. If he had done these things, Cavs would have had a MUCH better shot. His offensive coaching is worse than Don Nelson's defensive coaching in Golden State. Therefore, LeBron had no true, reliable all-star sidekicks or they weren't utilized correctly just like a lot of things Mike Brown can utilize. By them, other superpowers like Wade/Bosh/$15 million worth of role players were in formation. He could stick with the Cavs and hope to beat the. Very unlikely. LeBron could have given Byron Scott a chance, but that was Cleveland's only real "advantage" or "case". Pat Riley is better then him, anyways. Do you really think it stands a chance again the Magic or the Celtics in a seven-game series? Well, it did not, and chances are it wouldn't beat the Lakers either.

 

Sorry, fans. The New York Knicks are a joke. They were, in my eyes, never a candidate. Even with Amar'e and the trade with GS and the hope of landing Melo and CP3, I doubt he'd get a ring there. Simple because the trade rumors are just rumors and offensive oriented systems rarely win championships in this era. That's why D'antoni Phoenix Suns haven't won despite their talent and the Celtics, Spurs, Celtics, and Lakers did, all top ten defensive teams, did. My hypothesis as to why this happens is because being reliant on offense in inconsistent. You can bring defense every night, but your shot will be off some nights. See my article for that. But let's not get sidetracked.

 

Now it comes down to Bulls vs. Heat in terms of where LeBron should go. Consider this: Wade "singlehandedly" led his team to 47 wins last season. Bosh "singlehandedly" led his tam to 40 wins. Pairing up with them, with a common goal in mind, shedding their egos, would result in a dynasty. If LeBron went to the Bulls, he would have been the man. LeBron has made evident, in my mind, t he does want to be that man, and He's not cut out for it, which is fine. I, sure as heck, would not willingly take on the pressure of leading a championship team. He is not MJ or Kobe mentally, and I see nothing wrong with that. Wilt is considered one of the greats even though his attitude and focus makes LeBron look like Rocky Balboa. Wilt played for himself. He did not give a damn about team. He was the definition of a stat padder; see the tape of the 100 point game if you don't believe me. He retired in belief nobody would scorer and many points as him, that was his reason. The rings came with it, they were "extra". Why isn't Wilt bashed and stripped of his accomplishments? If you know you're not cut out or can't take the pressure of leading a championship team, then do what's best. At least he's not a talented player who didn't ruin his career, sand get mixed with the wrong stuff, like Len Bias... He recognizes his role for a team to win. I find that somewhat admirable... Or maybe he went to Miami because he wanted to play and party with his buddies. Nothing wrong with that. 

 

The Bulls have a young exciting core in Rose, Noah, etc. along with Boozer. Noah doesn't like LeBron and Boozer left Cleveland, so there is some awkward friction. Plus this team would have to stop the Wade/Bosh Bulls. So what if he is not exactly happy to face two great players? Wade and LeBron always clash and Bosh is 26.0 PPG and 12.5 vs. Boozer and 26.5 and 15.0 vs. Jamison. Plus $14 - $15 worth of players to add, and they get very dangerous. I addressed the fact he does not want to be number one guy. See Olympics... It's likely they would not succeed. Miami is a nicer place to live, there are friends, and a dynasty for years to come. Sure, Riley would have to sign some players and there are some money issues, but Riley is a GENIUS. There is nothing he can't do. I'd be confident held get a solid effective rotation by the start for next season, and he's already got a SOLID lineup going. He's already started and LeBron is on his way to filling his dreams and MORE.

Miami's 2010-2011 roster as of 7/21/10:

PG: Mario Chalmers, Carlos Arroyo
SG: Dwyane Wade, Mike Miller, Da'sean Butler
SF: LeBron James, Mike Miller, James Jones
PF: Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Juwan Howard
C: Zydrunas Ilguaskas, Joel Anthony, Jamaal Maglorie

Nice stuff, huh?

 

After LeBron wins a championship, right before you begin to love him again, championship is a championship regardless of how it's won. People can whine Lakers the Lakers' championship in 2002 is invalid because of what happened in Sacramento Game 6. People did not say that when the Yankees landed the top 3 (Sabathia, Texeria, Burnett) free agents last year and have like 8 all-stars on their roster playing them something like $200 million just because they can. I don't hear any conspiracy theorists complaining about an invalid/ undeserved championship or "buying" a ring. But they don't, so why should this be any different? Also, this is not bad for the NBA at all. When MJ and Scottie rose to power, the bar was raised. Competition increases. The NBA was in a golden age. Perhaps such a time will come again.

 

One more thing we have to address: Why the haters and critics are wrong.

 

There's been much unwarranted criticism from generally MAINSTREAM Laker fans (AKA Kobe fans) who think LeBron cannot be mentioned in the same sentence as Kobe.

I want you guys to hear this loud and clear: LeBron James could care less what the media thinks of him, but he knows he competes at the highest level every game he plays, and that's all that matters. 

 

I am still wondering how the players you have around you can affect the effort you put into every game.  

 

 

 

First of all, there's the main ammunition for Kobe fans: The comments from MJ, Magic, and Bird. What people don't understand is that their surrounding casts were so good, they didn't WANT to leave at all. If they left their team, they would easily reach the playoffs and they might even go deep. Same thing can be said about the dynasties Kobe was a part of. The James-less Cavaliers, on the other hand, are in contention for the worst record in the NBA.

 

Let's compare the surrounding cats of MJ, Magic, and Bird in their 7th years.

1990-1991 Bulls:

Scottie Pippen
Horace Grant
Bill Cartwirght
BJ Armstrong
John Paxson

On any other team, Pippen would be an MVP candidate. He was a potential 25-9-9 player, but was contest at being at being the 17-7-7 sidekick in the triangle offense. His defense was just getting famous, but he didn't score enough and was too far overshadowed by Jordan to even be in the all-star game. The rest of the guys all were 15 PPG players and legit second and third options on other teams. Along with these players, there were five more guys who scored over four points. I should mention the coach too, Phil Jackson. Remember, this is only the seventh year. Later, Pippen and Rodman were both arguably the greatest defenders of all time (MJ wasn't too shabby himself) and Kukoc (sixth man of the year) were members of the Chi-town squad.

 

1985-86 Lakers:

 

Kareem Abdul-Jaabar
James Worthy
Byron Scott
Maurice Lucas
Michael Copper

Magic Johnson is an interesting case. He himself sought to play with elite teammates, refusing to play with the Chicago Bulls on draft night, so it's extremely hypocritical. That article sums up can compares the two teams, so I just recommend you read that in-depth compassion between the surrounding casts.

 

Kareem is arguably the greatest scorer of all time, and still a 27-30 point scorer on any other team. Kareem was an MVP player, he even won on with the Lake show! Worthy was a 25 point scorer on any other team. Both were capable of being a excellent number one option in the NBA. They were number one and two scorers, getting the rock form Johnson. Scott and Lucas were capable of being a very good second options on any other team. The one thing I find astounding is that Michael Copper, DPOY the next season, played on their bench! In addition, they had six other players that averaged 5-8 points on their roster. In the undermentioned article, it demonstrates actually how bad LeBron's surrounding cast was in comparison to Magic's.

 

1985-1986 Celtics:

 

Kevin McHale
Robert Parish
Dennis Johnson
Danny Ainge
Bill Walton

McHale and Parish are both, similar to Kareem and Worthy, EXCELLENT number one options. Heck, Johnson was a capable number one option, perennial all-star. Ainge, Walton, and Weldman were solid bench contributors, but you should know what they were capable of. They had three more players averaging 3-7 points.

 

It's hard to imagine there players reduced to simple role players, but that's how stacked an talented thees teams were! Can't you smell the double-standard?

 

But I'm not done. It's time to clear some things up: 

 

They say a super team hasn't been made but free agency like this before, bu they literally acquired Bosh ands James VIA trade. So that's an invalid statement.

 

The statement I find really hypocritical is that LeBron is not "the man". Kobe wasn't "the man" for more than half his rings!

 

Another one that's really funny is LeBron doesn't have killer instinct, so he's not better than Kobe. Shaq doesn't have the slightest killer instinct, and he's regarded as far superior to Kobe.

 

Possibly the silliest acquisition is that LeBron is hated the most ever. Kobe was far more hated before he and the Lakers had a breakout season in 2007-2008. If Shaq made hat rap before the 07-08 season or after the Heat championship, it would have been applauded.

 

Kobe was less of a leader and a worse impact on this team in contrast LeBron at the age of 27 especially considering their upbringings. Funny how that card gets played in Kobe's favor for some reason. Let me explain:

 

Kobe was raised in a basketball environment with a supporting father and an affluent family. Every NBA father's dream is to get a son into the NBA, and he must have recognized Kobe's ability at the young age and supported it. LeBron was raised in the projects by a single mom who care more about putting food on the table. Consider their separate backgrounds when reading the following paragraph.

 

Kobe at the age of 27 did not have the ability to lead a team. It was inferior to Lebron's leading ability today. He actually was a negative impact in the locker room. You can say you want, but if a coach calls someone "uncoachable", then you know they are not a good leader or influence on their teammates. People look at that roster and bash it, it had potential. He had off-court issues and was disliked and not respected by his teammates. You can't be a leader if your followers don't follow you by will or if the following is unsuccessful. Both apply to Kobe. He tried to do everything all by himself. But most of all, he quit on them. He quit against the Suns on Game 7, and them demanded to be traded. I don't know about you, but I felt that is not a sign of a true leader. In the ECF, Game 7 vs. the Celtics, LeBron dropped 45. LeBron may have pregame and court side shenanigans, but on the court he does what a offensive facilitator is supposed to do. He's always getting on guys vocally. He tries his hardest even though he's a normal joe. He waited until he fulfilled his obligation and left to Miami. I can guarantee he will be the vocal leader in Miami as well. Wade will be the go-to-guy and the lead by example guy.

 

Kobe is one of the greatest success stories of the NBA because at LeBron's age he was a "shotjacking" egotistical conceited a-hole who played for himself and became a mature leader and winner. Kobe shouldn't get bashed for it, and neither should LeBron. I think we can't bash LeBron for his " supposed lack of ability to lead championship team", and start making comparisons when Lebron is actually Kobe's age. Who knows, maybe he'll "grow up" one day too. It's not fair to compare today's Kobe to LeBron today. 

 

This is not some kind of conspiracy that they knew about for months. LeBron and Bosh did not bail on their teams or get injured on purpose. Why would he change his jersey to 6 is Mario Chalmers is already number 6 in Mimi? He'd surely pick another number in advance if he already knew. One does not get 19 rebounds by not crashing the boards. One does not get 10 assists and 10 turnovers by not trying, they get it from trying too hard, and being locked down by one of the best one-on-five defenses in the country. One thing I'd like to mention is that the Boston Celtics, who do not get credit for the series win, simply outplayed the Cavs no way around it. LeBron could not have beast the Celtics if he "wanted to". They shut down Kobe just like they shut down LeBron. Kobe teammates were there to pick up the slack, on BOTH ends, LeBron's teammates were not. Brown was clearly outcoached by Rivers. Its common sense: If LeBron wanted to leave; and if he had the power to win that series (which he did not and nobody else does), he'd leave behind a championship for Cleveland to soften the blow.

 

We cannot fully understand his motives, we can only assume based on interviews and articles, so we can't really judge his decision if we can't know it's full origins. This is just another excuse for some to hate him, or an attempt to let out angst and anger for him leaving. You can't judge him based on the stuff he does off the court or his "attitude". That's like judging Kanye West's music by what he did in the VMAs. In the end, LeBron made HIS decision, and we have to respect that.

 

Thanks to several members of NBA FanVoice for giving me ideas:

stillshining
druken23
EowynAmarie
I_BLEED_HEAT_DOT_COM
zlj3
stat_#1
the_lazlow

 

So, basically, any rational person can understand that people have no right to criticize LeBron and it is hypercritical to do so without "untouchable" criticizing all time greats.