LeBron James Who? Could Perry Jones Help Cleveland Cavs Fans Forget the King?
On July 8, 2010, ESPN aired an hour long special called The Decision, which focused on what team free agent LeBron James would choose to sign with.
"King James" decided to leave his home state Cleveland Cavaliers after seven years with the team, and take his talents to South Beach to play with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat.
Cavs fans immediately became furious about James' departure. While some cried like babies, others burned his famous No. 23 jersey on the streets of Cleveland.
Even owner Dan Gilbert chimed in and said that the Cavs would win an NBA championship before James' new star-studded "Superteam."
This past December, in his first game in Cleveland as a member of the Heat, James made fans even angrier as he dropped 38 points on his former mates, despite boos from all over the arena. And his Heat mopped the floor with the Cavs, winning 118-90.
Miami currently owns a 37-14 record, third-best in the NBA, while Cleveland is a league-worst 8-43.
Will the struggling Cavs ever get over the loss of James, the man who led the team to the league's top record in each of the past two seasons?
It's definitely difficult to replace a two-time MVP and one of the most talented players the game has ever seen, but LeBron's replacement could come in this June's NBA draft. The Cavs will likely land a top five pick which they could use to select Baylor freshman phenom Perry Jones.
Jones has perhaps the most potential out of anyone in the draft and at 6'11", he's considered to be a taller Tracy McGrady. No, not the News York Knicks or Detroit Pistons' McGrady, but the explosive, pre-injured Orlando Magic version.
Jones brings quite a bit to the table. He can shoot, either spotting up or off the dribble, and can easily get past smaller defenders en route to a highlight reel dunk.
In addition, Jones is blessed with amazing athleticism and leaping ability. He can also block shots with his incredible 7'4" wingspan and possesses solid ball handling skills.
Experts believe it will take about two or three years for him to become a make a big time impact in the pros. So with that said, if the Cavs do end up drafting him, they'll need to be patient and let him develop.
Jones isn't going to carry a team right off the bat like LeBron did fresh out of high school in 2003. However, he may eventually turn out to be a perennial All-Star and a franchise player down the road.
Will he ever reach LeBron's level? No, but he has the tools to one day help Cavs fans forget about LeBron, well, at least a little bit.
There's no guarantee, of course, that Jones will ever land in Cleveland. The Cavs might choose to draft another college star like Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, Duke's Kyrie Irving, or Arizona's Derrick Williams.
But if Jones does become a Cavalier, don't be surprised to see him excite Ohio fans like King James once did.
