The Summer of LeBron Officially Begins: Why James Is Staying in Cleveland

Ah, we all remember 1969 — the "summer of love." Um, you neither? Well that's ok because we just might end up recalling 2010 for a much different reason: the "Summer of LeBron."

Gentlemen, start your engines and let the drooling begin. At Midnight ET tonight the official start of the NBA free agent frenzy is underway and there is only one star attraction, with everyone else falling in line after The King.

Unfortunately, in reality, this summer may just end up as the summer of disappointment, for LeBron James and the Heat's Dwyane Wade who will likely end up staying put, with LBJ signing a three year max and D-Wade staying for the long haul.

Although they're dreaming big in places like Chicago, New Jersey and Miami, the entire economic environment of the "mistake by the lake" is pinning its fragile hopes on the broad back of a basketball player.

And all that will be just too much for King James to walk away from.

Heck, James is Cleveland. Forget about having the key to the city — he can have the whole damn state of Ohio if that's what it takes to bring the big fella back.

From the southern shore of Lake Erie, to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "The Forest City" will do almost anything, legal or otherwise, to convince its king to return. 

Speaking of the "summer of love," perhaps it is no coincidence that 1969 was also the year of the fire on the Cuyahoga River which challenged the city immensely.

Yet no challenge affects the hearts and minds of sports lovers and tourist bureaus quite like the free agency of LeBron James.

While rumors have been rampant about Chicago or Miami being the most likely destination for this gifted man-child, there is only one logical decision, and that is to stay where he's at.

Where else can LeBron play and call the city his own? Chicago will always be known for Michael Jordan. Miami has Wade and really, as great of a city it may be, there is only so much ball (and fame) to go around.

New Jersey and New York, with its assortment of unbeatable endorsement opportunities, not only isn't likely to get LeBron any closer to a ring, those places can be simply brutal when a player does not deliver the goods.

Just ask A-Rod before last year's Yankees title.

No, James is a hometown kid who loves the area and will leave the best legacy he could ever hope to achieve only if he stays in that city.

If it doesn't work out, he will only be 28 years old in three years and can do it all again.

It's not solely about the money; for if it was, Cleveland wins again.

But no, the money is not only similar everywhere he would go, it's got to be about the ring.

For James and his world wide entourage knows that unless LeBron wins a championship or three, he will never be in the conversation among the all-time greats. That's just the business of basketball in the NBA.

But don't discount how much LeBron craves the power and the fame and he will be a hero if he chooses to come back to the Cavs. 

Now, the Cavs don't appear to be championship caliber next season even if he does return.

But really when you look at it, even if James doesn't want to wait three years to win a title, why can't James have a similar chance of winning by staying put as opposed to going to Chicago, for example?

Sure, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are nice compliments, but adding only a LeBron, as huge as that may be, no more guarantees the man a ring than if he stayed in Cleveland.

Plus, he knows if he goes to another city, he will be expected to produce a championship right away. Nothing short of a title in his first season will be acceptable.

Meanwhile, he has less pressure in Cleveland.

Now before you say what about Rose, Noah, James and Bosh…well, there are no guarantees, because Bosh is all about the money. It is far more likely he goes in a sign and trade deal, and the Raptors have already said they want no part of Luol Deng.

Miami is the current popular rumor, but again, if it's a choice between Chicago and Miami it would seem to make more sense for James to go to Chi-town because Rose would be a better compliment than Wade.

Also, one has to wonder how James would accept being Wade's caddy? The Scottie to Miami's Michael?

Make no mistake: Wade owns Miami.

Among other major free agent choices, Dirk Nowitzki is opting out of his contract with Dallas, but is 90 percent certain to re-sign with the Mavs. Likewise, it's hard to see Paul Pierce leaving Boston, especially now that their coach is back in the fold.

Look, the smart money says he is staying put, but we likely won't know until the final hour. You certainly shouldn't bet your house on it, but speaking of houses, only Cleveland can be called the "House of LeBron" in the "Summer of LeBron."