LeBron James Decision: He Has No Choice, LBJ Must Select New York Knicks

LeBron James will decide the future of at least four cities, countless free agents, the NBA as a whole, and not to mention all of his family and friends.

I don't know what the self-professed monarch of the NBA has decided, but I know one thing: he really has no choice, but New York.

I say this under some basic assumptions. I assume LeBron values his legacy in the game and would like to be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play.

This assumption demands a few things:

1. LeBron Can't Stay in Cleveland  

LeBron tried. He really did. I'm convinced as of yesterday he was attempting to find a way to make Cleveland a viable option vis-a-vis his legacy.

He courted Chris Bosh. Both the Raptors and the Cavs were reportedly open to a sign and trade that would've paid Bosh the max deal he desired. Bosh could play with LeBron, make all the money possible, and likely contend for an NBA championship.

The only catch...Bosh had to go to Cleveland. Bosh balked. Was it Cleveland? Did Bosh always plan on playing with Wade in Miami? Probably a bit of both, but this sealed the deal for LeBron.

No one will choose Cleveland even if LeBron is there. They have no cap space and few trade bait options. LeBron's only hope in Cleveland is a Dominique Wilkins legacy.

I don't think that works for a guy wanting to etch his name on the Rushmore of B-Ball.

2. Taking Less Money to Be Wade's Pippen Won't Cut It

Miami certainly fits the criteria for winning championships. The logic goes, if LeBron is all about winning for his legacy, then Miami is the ticket. After all, a trinity of LBJ/Wade/Bosh will just flood rings, right? I'd say that is possible.

The issue is legacy though.

Robert Horry has seven rings. Do we think he's one of the best ever? Legacy is not simply winning rings. To be considered in the top of the top one must not only win championships, but win them as the leader and as the clear best player on the court.

To go to Miami, LeBron would be moving to Wade's city and Wade's team. Wade would be the man. Wade's legacy gets enhanced further. Wade gets credit for recruiting talent for his team while LeBron just gets flak for leaving Cleveland for the path of least resistance.

If LeBron wants a Legacy, he won't find it in Wade's world.

3. Chicago's appeal disappeared with Bosh

Chicago started the proceedings seemingly in the driver's seat. Rose and Noah provided a young foundation from which to build a new statue in Chicago. This one devoted to LeBron James for bringing new glory to Jordan's city.

Everything seemed according to plan. The problem in the assumption arose from a flawed premise. Rose and Noah were never enough to get LeBron.

Chicago bungled the entire proceedings. They went after Wade with too much gusto overestimating his interest. Meanwhile they believed Rose and Noah were enough.

Chicago's real power was based on the belief that Rose and Noah could bring in Bosh. LeBron going to Chicago first without knowing Bosh's choice was never going to happen.

The dirty secret is that LeBron plays point-forward himself. He doesn't really need Rose because LeBron is at his best when he's running the offense. Rose's strength isn't jump shooting so you have two guys thriving in the same role.

Noah is a great player and blue-collar worker on defense and the glass, but he isn't enough. Thus, when Chicago ignored LeBron to an extent for Wade and Bosh, they were severely hurt when it became clear Bosh and Wade were already going to Miami.

LeBron, left out, and certainly not willing to step into Chicago without a Bosh/Amar'e partner quickly, saw the sun set on Chicago.

LeBron can't go to Chicago with Boozer, a guy he has history with in Cleveland anyway, and Rose/Noah. He certainly can't go to Jordan's city in an uncertain situation and under-perform his hero.

How would his legacy fare if he went to Jordan's city and fell short?

If you allow me the indulgence of ignoring the Clippers and New Jersey (which, let's be honest isn't that hard to do), this leaves New York. They answer all the questions.

New York has the low post scoring threat LeBron needs. Amar'e is nearly LeBron's equal in athletic talent. Why did LeBron try to recruit Bosh to Cleveland? Why did he ask for Amar'e at the All-Star break this year?

He needed a reliable sidekick in the post. Amar'e brings that to the table.

New York offers the legacy points. Other than Cleveland, the only option for LeBron to have his own city with no shadow outside (Chicago) or inside (Wade) is New York.

He can bring New York their first championship since 1973. He can own the biggest media market in the nation with all the pressure that goes with it. There will be no dispute it will be his team and his kingdom.

New York also has the coach and system ideal for LeBron's talents. LeBron is the most unstoppable player in the open court to ever play the game. He has the size, speed, ball-handling, passing ability, and finishing ferocity to overwhelm anyone in the open court.

Mike D'Antoni's run and gun system was made for this prototype. People may say that D'Antoni's system never won a championship. Indeed, the offense-first teams have failed in the past. Think of Run-TMC in Golden State, Paul Westhead's Nuggets teams, the Sacramento Kings of Webber/Bibby, and D'Antoni's Phoenix Suns.

But think for a moment...did any of those teams have the best player in basketball on their team?

Would you bet against the Phoenix Suns of 2004-2005 with LBJ on them?

Would you bet against the Sacramento Kings with LeBron?

Keep in mind that in the tough Western Conference of the early and mid-00's Sacramento nearly beat the LA dynasty and with Phoenix they combined to play in three Western Conference finals during that competitive period. So it wasn't as if the system was totally doomed.

LeBron also needs security in where he goes, which Chicago couldn't provide.

New York not only has the coach, sidekick, and system, but they have plenty of wiggle room in cap space. New York has Curry's contract to either trade or remove from the books.

New York can get players this year and next year to surround LeBron. Cleveland can't say that.

Chicago will be trying to keep Noah and Rose rather than trying to bring in fresh blood. If LeBron plays in Miami, there is no way Miami has manoeuvrability while paying three mega stars.

In the end LeBron's heart is likely in Cleveland with his family and loyalty. His legacy has a New York state of mind.