LeBron James: Should He Stay or Go? And Where? Possible 2010 Destinations
We knew this day would come. Every NBA fan has marked it on their calendar and is contemplating, predicting, and, ultimately, guessing where LeBron James will be end up.
We didn't know it would end like this for James. The Boston Celtics annihilated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half of their conference semi-final series, including two wins in Cleveland with margins of victory of 18 and 32 points. A LeBron James led team that went 35-6 in the regular season at the Quicken Loans Arena suffered their worst home loss in postseason history to a group of grumpy old men.
Not to take anything away from the Boston Celtics of course, but this Cavaliers team was uninspired. Inspired and motivated teams don't lose the biggest game of the year at home by 32 points and then lose by 10 on the road in the final game of their season.
A player with the nickname "King James" should not allow games like that to happen.
Yet here we are, 47 days prior to the start of free agency and the NBA world is in a state of shock at how easily the Celtics handled the Cavs. What might seem like the end of only a season could mean the end of one of the most successful franchises in Cleveland history.
Now the city of Cleveland has to face the awful possibility that their hometown hero and idol LeBron James might only play in Cleveland one or two times a year, and in the jersey of a different team. There are a handful of teams trying to woo him, all with something to give "King" James, whether it's money, talent around him, a future, or power.
Pros: It's the mecca of basketball and is home to some of the greatest fans any sports venue can offer. The New York City faithful are passionate about the Knicks and even with the decade of obscurity, Madison Square Garden always seems to sell out.
It is also no secret that the city and the organization are craving the thought of LeBron James in a Knicks uniform next season. They've overhauled most of their team to allow more cap space to make a bigger push to get James. LeBron is also a well-known New York Yankees' fan and catching your favorite baseball team on a night off could always influence your decision.
Cons: It's the New York Knicks. They haven't made the postseason since 2003, haven't won a postseason game since 2000, and haven't won a postseason series since 1999. They haven't won more than 40 games since 2000.
LeBron James has stated that his destination would be based on him wanting to win now and the fact that the Knicks have been a 20 and 30 win team the past decade isn't helping their cause.
The supporting cast is nothing special either. David Lee is the only all-star on this team, and has a bad relationship with Knicks' management after they refused to sign him to a long term contract last summer to preserve cap-space for LeBron. The Knicks have the money to bring in LeBron and another max contract level free agent, or possibly some middle tier players, but would James want to risk joining a team that has dealt with a decade of failure, even if it meant he got to pick who he played with?
Pros: Unlike the Knicks, the Chicago Bulls have a good supporting cast. Point guard Derrick Rose has already made an all-star game as a sophomore, and Joakim Noah was third in the league in rebounding. A combination of LeBron James and Rose (with Noah doing the dirty work) could become legendary if it brought more championships to the city of Chicago. The Bulls have made the postseason five out of the past six years and have already proven they are a dangerous team in the playoffs (2008 vs. the Boston Celtics).
Cons: The front office is in shambles. Coach Vinny Del Negro was just fired a few weeks after getting into a physical altercation with VP John Paxson. With turmoil at the top of the organization, there could be a trickle down effect that might scare off LeBron.
LeBron will also have to deal with the fact that he will always be the second best player to step into the United Center. James has also had confrontations with Bulls center Joakim Noah in the past. The Chicago Bulls are one of the more talented teams that could sign James, but the tension within the organization could influence LeBron to look elsewhere.
Pros: The most successful team that is trying to woo James, the Heat have more money to spend than any team that isn't the Knicks, have the city of Miami, and one of the best players in the league in Dwyane Wade. James and Wade have both stated that they want to play together and a combination of the two would be a force to be reckoned with and a dynasty for the next decade.
Not to mention, Pat Riley is the team president and has hinted at becoming the Heat head coach once again. As we all know, Riley is accustomed to winning championships and the Heat are five years removed from winning their first.
Cons: LeBron and Dwyane are both alpha dogs, so who's going to relinquish the role as leader of the team? Dwyane has been the Heat's number one guy since his second year in the league, and has already won a ring with the Heat. LeBron has been the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers since his rookie year. Egos could clash in Miami and the idea of a dynasty by combining two of the three best players in the league could backfire in Riley's face.
Pros: Jay-Z. Brooklyn. Money. Working for his hip-hop idol Jay-Z could cause a change of heart for James. Not only that, but the team will be moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn in the coming years and as with New York, the idea of living in the city of dreams could play a large part in LeBron's decision.
The Nets also have the money to secure LeBron and possibly another middle tier player while keeping young studs Brook Lopez and Devin Harris. Additionally, if they win the lottery and get LeBron favorite John Wall, they would have the option of trading Harris for another piece.
Cons: The Nets just finished 12-70 and for most of the season looked to finish with the worst record in NBA history. This doesn't help convincing anyone to come to New Jersey.
Pros: LeBron James would basically be a player/president. Coach Mike Dunleavy was finally fired after years of futility, and James would have the option of choosing who could be his coach (John Calipari?). Not only that, but he'd be the leader amongst a solid cast that includes Baron Davis, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman, and Eric Gordon.
The idea of playing in the same division as Kobe Bryant and making the other team in Los Angeles worth talking about definitely could convince LeBron into switching conferences and coasts.
Cons: The Los Angeles Clippers are possibly the saddest franchise in sports and Donald Sterling is the worst owner in sports. They've made it to two postseasons in the past 20 years and have never had a 50 win season. The Cavaliers had back to back 60+ win seasons the past two years. As with New York and New Jersey, would LeBron really want to join a known loser instead of joining a team that is focused on success?
Cleveland Cavaliers
Pros: It's LeBron's home state and it's the team that drafted him and molded him into the all-star and hall of fame bound player he is today. He loves the city and the city loves and worships him and the ground he walks on. He has led the Cavs to an NBA finals, has won two MVP's, and two straight seasons of having the NBA's best record.
Cleveland and LeBron James have been through thick and thin and can offer more money to LeBron than any other team. James has a mental and physical attachment to Cleveland and a move now would break the heart's of millions of Clevelanders.
Cons: Has LeBron grown weary of the Cleveland Cavaliers? The regular season success is nice, but two straight seasons of having the NBA's best record without an NBA finals appearance to show for it might have caused James to believe the grass is greener somewhere else.
Will LeBron be attracted to the glitz and glamour of New York? What about the talk of success in Miami? The power in Los Angeles? Nobody knows or can predict what James is going to do. Leave it up to LeBron and the big guns upstairs to make the final decisions a few month's from now. LeBron is going to have a busy summer and the NBA is going to turn on it's side when he does make his decision, but for the next 47 days, let's just enjoy some basketball.
