Another LeBron Article: The Mystery Continues

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If you can imagine, the "calm before the storm"

Now, listen to the thunder already rumbling throughout the skies.

One can only imagine the summer storm that lay ahead as LeBron James enters this summer's free agency pool with more hype and world wide media attention than ever seen before in the NBA.

Where will the King take throne next?

Will he remain in Cleveland and thus immortalizing himself in Ohio sports history?

Or will he bounce?

It is assured to be the focal point of media attention the day after the 2010 NBA champion is crowned.

If James does not reach an agreement with the Cavaliers by July 1st , he will become an

unrestricted free agent .

Several reports have James considering the Los Angeles Clippers because he'd have the ability to hire the club's coach and general manager. But why do that? James already had the entire Cleveland franchise at his feet.

What might intrigue LeBron about being a Clipper is the potential LA hype that would surround the inner city rivals that would only add fuel to the world-wide "LeBron or Kobe?" debate. This attention might just intrigue James enough to make Los Angeles his permanent home.

But that would also mean that basketball fans would never see the anticipated Lebron and Kobe matchup in the finals. With that said, LeBron would have a legitimate shot at winning his first championship in his first season in Los Angeles. 

The other teams in the running for the "LeBronze Medal" are the New York Knicks,

Chicago Bulls, and New Jersey Nets .

The Knicks have surely made all of the right moves to make New York more attractive than the New York media market already is for a player like James. Donnie Walsh has cleared up enough cap space for LeBron and a quality funning mate for him as well. Possible additions for New York that would further intrigue LeBron would be the acquisition of players like

Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh, or even Tony Parker.

Not to mention the prospect of playing for a coach like Mike D'Antoni—which would be a huge plus for James to come to New York and play on the biggest of all stages at Madison Square Garden .

Chicago is also a very real possibility for James.

Aside from being a part of the historic franchise and the city which was marked by the greatest player to ever live. LeBron could easily end up in Chicago. Why else would he change his number from 23 to 6?

LeBron has always had the trailblazer personality and I could see the King wanting to outcast the heavy shadow that has covered the city of Chicago since 1998. The Bulls have the players that could lure LeBron to Chicago, most notably Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.

Chicago also has the ability to add a player like Joe Johnson this off season—which would only further intrigue the King. If you add LeBron to what the Bulls already have, they could easily become contenders of the future.

Rumors are also swirling about the possible acquisition of current University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari to fill the shoes left behind by recently fired Del Negro—which I believe would do nothing to better Chicago's chances of winning it all next year.

Calipari is a players coach. Mike Brown was a players coach. Enough said.

If LeBron is the Ohio hearted, Cleveland sports child that he is made out to be, wouldn't you think that leaving for the division rival Chicago, a team that Cleveland has so much history with, (where twice, Michael Jordan hit game—and series—winning shots against the Cavaliers in the playoffs in 89' and 93') wouldn't that be a slap in the face to the entire city of Cleveland?

LeBron's interest in the New Jersey Nets is purely financial. It's all about how much Mikhail Prokhorov is willing to offer. Remember Jerry Maguire? "Show me the money!"

James' decision on where he will play next year will come down to winning championships.

Let's take a step back for a second and look at what LeBron's future holds from a players standpoint.

At his age, James is the most decorated player in the history of the league. James is coming off yet another near triple double averaging season. How much better can he get?

The truth is, LeBron James has barely scratched the surface of what he can do in this league. After this past season's embarassing playoff performance, James is assured to re-evalute the way he approaches the game.

We are bound to witness a true King in the near future. But it is also going to come down to the head man. LeBron's chances of winning a ring and being mentioned with the greats will lay in the hands of whomever he calls 'coach'.

But, it is safe to say that wherever LeBron goes (or stays) it will only be the start of his super stellar career.

Let's remember Michael Jordan was 28 years old when he won his first championship.

LeBron is still only 26.

 

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