Every King Needs a Castle: Why Lebron Shouldn't Stay in Cleveland
With LeBron James arriving in New York tonight, he gets ready to face one of the teams willing to throw him a max contract in the summer of 2010. LeBron will take on the Knicks on Friday night, primetime, ESPN, MSG, media, bright lights. The stage is set for the King as he looks to top the 50 point mark for the 3rd time at the garden.
However, LeBron James plays for Cleveland and he won’t change jerseys at halftime. But there is hope, because unless you've been living under a rock you know that The King will end up in the highest bidders lineup when free agency hits this coming summer.
Honestly, I think that LeBron staying in Cleveland won’t do anybody any good—even if he wins it all this year. I know that it’s his hometown, I know thathe loves Cleveland and vice versa, but if LeBron chooses to stay in Cleveland, what will the rest of his career look like?
Let's say LeBron signs an eight year deal with the Cavs next offseason. As of right now, LeBron has no wingman—not even a respectable wingman. When Antawn Jamison rumors began circulating at the deadline last year, I thought he would have been a nice fit. Jamison is nearing the end of his career, however, and he might not be healthy enough. So I ask this question: who does LeBron have to grow old with?
In reality, LeBron has nobody to grow old with, no true wingman. I know Mo Williams was an all star, he's a solid point guard at most. Shaq is 37 and the Cavs are 3-3 with him. He limits Mo Williams' touches, making him more of a catch and shoot player and looks awful in transition defense—especially when he and Illgauskas are both on the floor. All this for a player who was supposed to be the big acquisition, or should I say Shaquisition.
Danny Ferry has not done the best he could to get LeBron his Scotty Pippen. Whether it was the whole Carlos Boozer mess or drafting Luke Jackson instead of Al Jefferson, Jameer Nelson, and Josh Smith.
I compare what Danny ferry has done to LeBron to what Sam Presti has done with Kevin Durant. Both landed guys who in my opinion will likely be the best overall players in the league, although Durant is only in his third year he has the potential to be right there with LeBron.
Presti and Ferry both came from the same organization. Both worked under R.C Buford in the Spurs organization. Ferry, who once looked like he had an illustrious career in the NBA coming out of Duke, and Presti, who was known as a hard working leader out of Emerson—a small division III school in Boston. However both have taken opposite approaches in building around their stars. Ferry has chosen to surround LeBron with veterans such as Shaquille O’Neal hoping for a championship now, while Presti has chosen to build around Durant with players who are near Durant’s age such as Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green—players who Durant can grow old with.
I could easily see LeBron becoming the guy who will win a handfulof MVPs, scoring titles, but never really win the rings he expected. He could be the guy who years from now you only remember a couple of good seasons—far from the Jordan-like legacy so many of us expect. With Oklahoma City's nucleus of young talent, it's only a matter of when Durant will claim his first championship. They are Portland 2.0—don’t be surprised if the Thunder realistically sneak into the playoffs this year. Meanwhile, LeBron has the pressure to win big now with a mediocre supporting cast.
I’m not necessarily saying LeBron should bolt Ohio for New York, in fact he might win a few titles for Cleveland. He might have his mind made up already and leave even if he does win, but the bottom line is that LeBron needs a player who can compliment him for the rest of his career, and I just don’t see that happening in Cleveland. Here are a few places where LeBron might end up.
I find the Nets to be the most suitable for the King. However they must—and I repeat must—move to Brooklyn to have a chance at LeBron. They have two building blocks who LeBron can grow old with in all star guard Devin Harris and seven-footer Brook Lopez. I’m assuming LeBron would love to play with a rare seven-foot shot blocking talent like Lopez. Big men are rare, and Harris and Lopez would be great compliments to LeBron's game.
New York Knicks-
LeBron loves to play in MSG; he wants to make it his house, like Jordan made it his house whenever he visited with the Bulls. LeBron would play well under Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni, plus the Knicks could probably offer him a ton of money. LeBron would come to New York a savior, and build on his empire as the most recognized athlete in the biggest media market in the world.
This is a long shot because either LeBron or Dwayne Wade would have to take less money. A duo of LeBron and Wade is unimaginable. LeBron and Wade are probably the best players under 28 in the league and would possibly form the greatest duo of all time. Not to mention the presence of Michael Beasley, who still has a lot of potential. A Wade, LeBron duo would make Miami the immediate favorite to win the title
LeBron could come to L.A and form a big three with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. LeBron would make Kobe Bryant’s building his own, and create epic Lakers-Clippers showdowns in the Staples Center. Gordon and Griffin could potentially become tenured teammates of James and put the Clippers in future title contention.
The bottom line is, as you watch LeBron tear through the hapless Knicks tonight, keep in mind what could be as the summer of 2010 approaches.
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