LeBron More Like A Spoiled Prince Than King Of The Hardwood

Another year, another early exit from the playoffs for LeBron James, the so-often-anointed once-and-future king of basketball.

Of course, it's been well-documented how anything less than a championship for "The King" with the Cleveland Cavaliers this year could lead to a long and painful summer, not just for the Cavs, but for basketball fans as a whole.

That's right.  The vaunted "Summer of 2010" is nearly here.  Us NBA faithful are just a month and a half away from watching millionaires like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, and the aforementioned James prance from team to team, getting pampered by hopeful owners and season ticketholders, while everyone at home sweats it out.

Especially all of those poor basketball fans in Cleveland, for whom the difference between rebuilding and reloading rests on the broad shoulders of one hometown man-child.

Emphasis on CHILD.

I get it. LeBron, having jumped to the NBA straight out of high school, never got the treatment that comes with being a top-flight prep basketball player.  He never got the chance to have college coaches from across the country kiss his feet, judging all the while which opportunity would suit his future best.

As a Laker fan, I've seen this drama played out already.  It wasn't so long ago that Kobe Bryant put Laker Nation through the wringer before deciding to remain in the purple and gold.  Perhaps, then, it's unfair for me to judge LeBron so harshly, particularly at such an early point in the process.

Particularly when considering that Kobe ended up re-signing with the Lakers and has since led the franchise back into perennial championship contention.

The big difference, though?  Unlike LeBron, Kobe wasn't mouthing off about free agency YEARS, that's right, YEARS in advance.  Wind the clock back to 2008 and you'll see LeBron talking about the possibilities for this coming summer, even suggesting a playing stint in Europe as an option!

Certainly, comments like these should be taken with a grain of salt.  Unfortunately for LeBron and the city of Cleveland, it's comments like these that keep great players and cities longing for glory from bringing home championships.

LeBron's selfishness, his tendency to tease the media with pontifications about where he could or couldn't play, his desire to hog the proverbial spotlight, has absolutely hamstrung the very franchise he helped bring back to prominence.

For one, LeBron's expressed desire to go through his own recruitment this summer has made it difficult for the Cavaliers to attract quality free agents.  His lack of commitment to his hometown club has hindered general manager Danny Ferry's efforts to bring in quality pieces to complete the championship puzzle.  After all, if you were a mid-level free agent like Trevor Ariza was last summer, looking for a multi-year deal, would you want to go to Cleveland, where you could possibly contend now but end up playing on a horrible team the very next year?

I would think not.

Beyond just signing free agents, LeBron's threat of departure put management under the gun to bring in pieces to win now, no matter the cost.  Such is certainly the case when looking at the Cavs' acquisitions of Shaquille O'Neal before the season and Antawn Jamison at the trade deadline.  One may certainly lay blame on Ferry's head for bringing in the wrong players, but LeBron certainly didn't do him any favors. 

Had LeBron committed to a longer stay, Cavs management would have had more leeway to be patient and seek out not only better players, but players that could complement LeBron and help Cleveland reach new heights, or perhaps even develop a young prospect like J.J. Hickson into a reliable role player.

As the story goes, LeBron didn't afford his organization that time.  And whether or not the Cavs gave Lebron the "gun", he has managed to hold the entire city of Cleveland hostage, and seems more than happy to pull the trigger and jet off to a more glamorous locale.

Even though the Cavaliers can offer him not only the most lucrative contract, but also the best chance to win now.

So to LeBron, I say this, and never thought I would.

If you want to be a champion, if winning really is everything to you, look to Kobe as a (gulp) role model.  He has four rings, and is likely to add a fifth, several years after deciding to stay in Los Angeles, after enduring some very lean and frustrating times without Shaquille O'Neal.

Then again, you're a young, impressionable guy.  If you want bright lights and big city, go for it.  Pull the trigger.

You think the limelight is blinding now?  You think the scrutiny is intense now?  Just wait until you get to Chicago, or New York, or Miami, and you fail to delivery a title.  They won't exactly welcome you home from an early-round ousting with open arms like the people of northeast Ohio will.

But really, though, best of luck to you this summer, LeBron.  Enjoy all of those MVPs, and All-Star and All-NBA selections, and regular season wins. 

And good luck reaching that throne of NBA royalty to which you were so prematurely anointed.  Don't expect the glitz and glamour of your next destination to emanate from any championship jewelry.