LeBron James Decision: ESPN Needs To Shake Itself After Giving LBJ Own Special

Now they've gone and done it. Possibly the worst decision ESPN could possibly make will come to fruition on Thursday night at 9pm Eastern Time.

We learned earlier today that the major sports network will give LeBron James his own one hour special centered around where the superstar is going to sign. This is what people around the NBA world are buzzing about today.

I know a lot of writers here at Bleacher Report, as well as just about every other news network, are writing about and talking about the ESPN special.  But, despite possibly being in the minority, I have a huge problem with this show. 

ESPN basically just told James that he's above not only their network, but above the entire National Basketball Association and every player that wears a jersey, regardless of what team is written on the front.

James has been handed the keys and and told, "do what you want King James, we're here for whatever you want, when you want it."

Gee, for a guy who's been in the league all of seven years and has as many college and professional championships as I have, it seems they're willing to give him a lot.

For as much as Lebron has being built up by the media and us as fans, the fall from grace we might be setting him up for could be even bigger. I'm not talking about a Tiger Woods like fall, but something that makes Lebron's kingdom come crashing down around him.

Now I'm wishing this fate upon him because up to this point he's done everything right.

LeBron James is arguably the best player in the game right now, though certain fans would throw out names like Kobe Bryant.

Speaking of Kobe, we all remember when Laker fans sat on the edge of their seats waiting to see if Bryant was going to re-sign with the Lakers. But, I don't remember ESPN giving him a one hour special.

Shouldn't a player pay his dues before he's given this kind of respect by a network that calls themselves the "World Wide Leader in Sports?"

What about Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, both of whom were free agents before quietly resigning with the Celtics. Both Pierce and Allen have been to, and won, an NBA title. Pierce has been in the league 12 years in the league while Ray Allen is into his 14th year.

Pierce opted out of the final year of his deal with Boston and just as the rumors started that he might be headed elsewhere, news broke that the Celtics had brought him back for another four years.

As for Ray Allen, he looked around a little more but he also ended up re-signing with Boston for another two years. Neither one got more than a small headline across the "bottom line" on ESPN.

How about Dirk Nowitzki? He has as many NBA Finals' appearances as James but he also quietly re-signed with his former team, the Dallas Mavericks.

While I understand that Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh got their 15 minutes of drama on ESPN, frankly, I don't see what the big deal is surrounding Chris Bosh.

I'm not saying the guy isn't a good player but he's not great by any stretch of the imagination. Can he help Wade win an NBA title like Shaquille O'Neal did when he came to Miami? Bosh is no Shaq, we can all agree on that, but only time will tell.

Out of all the NBA players who have gone through free agency over the last few years, and all of those that had been to and won an NBA championship, isn't ESPN now telling LeBron James that he's head and shoulders above potential Hall of Famers?

If LeBron didn't need his ego stroked any more, ESPN decides it will stroke it just a little more.

There was news that came out earlier today, via Twitter feeds from a few different athletes, that LeBron was going to be heading to the New York Knicks when the decision was finally made on Thursday night.

If that is, in fact, the decision that is made by James, it will be for money and not to chase a championship.

Sure, they landed Amare Stoudemire but how many championships did he bring to Phoenix? Heck, Amare had what I believe to be a better team than the Knicks will run out this coming season even if LeBron is on the team.

The Suns had Steve Nash, a young Shawn Marion, a deep bench, and role players that were getting the job done. Yet none of them came away with an NBA title.

LeBron had Shaq on his team, yet "King James" has nothing to show for it, so let's not say he hasn't had his shot or had great players on his team.

Another rumor that has been making it's rounds since this whole thing started is the fact that James will be playing with Wade and Bosh in Miami and the threesome will form a mini "dream team" of sorts.

Call me crazy, but three scorers on one team doesn't exactly translate to immediate success. For example, check out the Los Angeles Lakers when they had Shaq, Kobe, Gary Payton, and Karl Malone and look how badly that failed. They made it to the NBA Finals and that's all well and good, but they had as much to show for it as the Buffalo Bills did in their many Super Bowl appearances.

I'll make this my final thought on the debacle that will take place on Thursday night.

With regards to be baseball, unless the Yankees re-sign Derek Jeter this year, he will become a free agent after this season concludes.

Doesn't a great like Jeter desserve a five hour special on where he might sign next? One for every World Series Championship?

Somehow, I think Jeter isn't the kind of guy that would approach the "World Wide Leader in Sports" and say, "I want my own special." He's a tad bit too humble to pull a stunt like that.

For those of you who are going to plop down and watch tommorow, enjoy what is sure to be the butt kissing of the century.