LeBron James Decision 2010: Insecurity Could Fuel Miami Heat Choice
LeBron James and his so-called "inner circle" have done everything they possibly could to make the past few weeks about LeBron, culminating in a one-hour ESPN special called "The Decision."
Well, according to sources, James is leaning toward teaming with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.
If he does, it will be because he is scared of the expectations and larger-than-life image he has placed upon himself. The way teams and cities have been begging for LeBron to come play for them, it is as if James will certainly bring a championship with him.
That's a bold statement considering he has yet to win a single title.
Yet it's the clear expectation placed upon LeBron, and he has no one to blame but himself. He is "The King," "The Chosen One," and is widely considered one of the top two basketball players in the world.
If James indeed joins Wade and Bosh in Miami and does manage to win multiple titles, there will always be an asterisk next to his name saying he joined forces with two other franchise players while in his prime because of his insecurity.
That's what it comes down to: the fear of failure. The fear of not being good enough to beat Wade and Bosh. The fear of not being "The Chosen One."
If all of James' emotions were represented by the commercial "The LeBrons," going to Miami would be the decision of the small, child-like LeBron. He's not sure of himself so he will latch onto other superstars to win.
Heat fans will argue that Michael Jordan always had Scottie Pippen. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were always surrounded with talent.
The difference is there was always a clear leader. No one ever says Pippen and Jordan. It is always Jordan and Pippen, and it always will be.
With James, Wade, and Bosh, it's not that cut-and-dry. Bosh would be the clear third option (so much for all that "top dog" talk). But Wade is Miami's franchise player. James would be stepping into Wade's turf.
So who gets the ball with the game on the line?
Heat fans would say James and Wade would share that chance, with the added benefit of having two options instead of one. I say it's a conflict waiting to happen.
Who knows?
Nothing like this has ever happened in the NBA before. The Celtics' "Big 3" are a different case because they were all veterans that had already reached their prime.
Plus, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett play different styles of basketball.
Wade, James, and Bosh are three players just entering their prime. Wade and James are both very similar players. Both prefer slashing to the basket instead of taking jump shots.
I'll believe the Miami talk when I hear it from LeBron's mouth. Until then, he's just as likely to join the Clippers.
Yet if he has really come to fear what he created this offseason, it would not be surprising for him to cowardly join the Heat and give up a chance to become one of the NBA's all-time greats.
