LeBron James Chooses Miami: A LeBronocalypse, Indeed

LeBron's jerseys were burned by people who were once fans in Cleveland after he made his decision. I don't blame them. (Photo: WEWS, Newschannel 5 in Cleveland Ohio)

I can’t say I’m surprised that LeBron James chose to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. But a large part of me said: Why would he create so much drama and announce on his ridiculous ESPN special “LeBron’s Decision” that he would be going anywhere else than Cleveland? I had it all mapped out: I thought he’d announce his decision, then go into how staying loyal to Cleveland and his hometown of Akron is important to him. Then his teammates would come out, jubilantly celebrate his return, and the rest of the hour would be filled with his highlights from his seven years with the team. Then he’d say: ‘there will be more of this, but a few championships to go along with it.’

That would have been perfect. Then the consensus would have been that he just wanted to weigh his options for the first week of free-agency. Then people would think this show on ESPN would be a celebration of Cleveland. But no. He had to go to Miami. And with that, be broke the hearts of Ohioans. Cleveland has nothing to celebrate now.

With that said, I can understand why he left Cleveland. It wasn’t just about the opportunity to play with Bosh and Wade. He probably felt the Cavaliers hadn’t done enough to surround him with the right talent. Maybe there was some animosity towards the management. After all, General Manager Danny Ferry was fired, as was head coach Mike Brown. Maybe he sensed a transition period that wouldn’t result in a championship anytime soon. Still, doing what he did to Cleveland just isn’t sitting well.

A lot of people are pegging Miami as an instant title contender. I’m not buying it. Yes, they have three of the top-five players in the NBA. But the rest of their roster consists of Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers, two players they aren’t high on because they’ve been trying to trade them for the past few weeks.

And now, with their remaining dollars, they are going to have to put together a bench. Three good players can’t do everything. Right now that’s all they have.

Cleveland had their chances to re-sign James. They could have made this process quick and simple if they properly built around him.

They lost out on Michael Redd a few years back, but they didn’t make much of an effort to go after and sign a marquee talent to pair with James. Shaq jumped aboard. That didn’t work.

Mo Williams has turned out to be so-so after a promising start to his career with Redd’s current team, the Milwaukee Bucks. Antawn Jamison was acquired this past season, and though he’s very talented, trading for him didn’t amount to immediate success.

Seven years, no titles, and a limited supporting cast. James certainly wasn’t obligated to go back to Cleveland.

It still would have been nice if he had, though. If he did after this exhausting process, the Cavaliers front office would have presumably come to their senses and given him some pieces to work with.

But that’s just it: James probably didn’t want to have to re-sign just to wake them up. And given he went through seven years of zilch, why would he have thought the next five or six would be any different.

Players can’t win a championship on their own. Kobe didn’t win a title without Shaq until Gasol and Odom signed on with the Lakers.

And James probably didn’t want to take the chance of having to be the 2005-2006 version of Kobe: a season in which Kobe scored 35 points and jacked up 27 shots per game with a group of mediocre players.

Or better yet, he didn’t want to have to be the 2003-2010 version of himself.

Hence a trip to Miami. It would be tempting to play with Wade and Bosh, of course. He’s good buddies with both. But he didn’t factor in the lack of a roster beyond them.

The Chicago Bulls had the pieces in place to win next year. Derrick Rose running the point, Luol Deng on the wing, Carlos Boozer at power forward, and Joakim Noah at center. An up-and-coming team with a satisfying bench.

The New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets also have some impressive youth as well.

Yet, he made his decision on “The Decision,” one that induced jersey-burning in Ohio and hatred around the country. A decision that changes the fate of the NBA.

Now, all eyes will be on Miami. How will the trio actually co-exist? Will one ball indeed be enough for all three? Who has the ball at the end of the game? Whose team would it be? I thought for sure James would still want to be the star to feed his ego. I guess not, but if anything has been learned during this entire process, it’s how big his ego indeed is.

Update: The Heat have traded Beasley to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a second-round pick in next year’s draft. Beasley may have some issues, but he’s a steal for a second-round selection.

The Timberwolves have a lot of wing players, so some may think this to fit Kahn’s reputation, but I think it’s a good move.

With the trade, Miami officially only has $10.5 million left to fill out their roster. That sure is a minuscule amount. It’ll be interesting to see what they do.

Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert’s open letter to fans:

“Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue…”