LeBron James Would Be Smart To Consider NFL Free Agency over Locked out NBA

LeBron James may actually have more success in the NFL than he has had in the currently locked out NBA.

He's won MVPs, scoring titles, endorsement deals and his choice of a dream team, but he hasn't won a championship.

If we're going to be honest, that's all that matters isn't it?

James is currently 0-2 in NBA title tries.

Both times he has made the Finals he was scrutinized for playing small, timid and lacking the ability to step up and be clutch when he needed too.

Discussing James and his overall effectiveness in the clutch or postseason is a discussion for a different article, but it does play into the latest hype coming out of the Twitter world.

Everything started with this Tweet from James to ESPN NFL reporter John Clayton:

That immediately sent the Twitter world into a frenzy, speculating about whether or not James would consider going to the NFL, especially since the NBA is currently not in action.

James was a prolific football player in high school, and we all know that he is an athletic freak. It's crazy, but it's understandable how people would think that it was possible.

Tom Haberstroh of ESPN writes more on the fiasco:

"

Obviously, LeBron is trying to stir up some fun by asking an innocent question -- innocent if it was asked by anyone other than LeBron. Of course, LeBron isn't your typical athlete. 

Standing at 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, he would be a protypical tight-end with freakish athleticism, speed, and hands. Because of the lockout, he's free to do what he wants with his career. David Stern is a powerful man, but he is powerless against this. 

We've seen cross-sport athletes before -- Michael Jordan, Danny Ainge, Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders to name a few -- so there's precedence for such a move. He played football in high school and was first-team all-state playing wide receiver as a sophomore. 

Our own Brian Windhorst, who went to the same high school as LeBron, informs us on Twitter that LeBron was an absolute terror to guard, especially on fades to the back of the endzone. LeBron was 6-foot-6 at the time when he played for St. Vincent-St. Mary's, going against 5-foot-10 cornerbacks. He recently suited up for his high school squad in practice and that sparked national headlines. 

The question of LeBron James' football talents have been broached before. In an ESPN.com story two years ago, Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Mark Murphy said of LeBron: 

"I've been around a lot of great receivers. I tell people that I rate my top receivers -- coaching, playing or watching -- as James Lofton, Jerry Rice, Steve Largent and LeBron James." 

Murphy went on to say that he swears LeBron could have gone straight to the NFL out of high school. 

"

Would LeBron James actually consider moving to the NFL? I highly doubt it, so don't get your hopes up.

That being said, would he be smart to do so?

Simply put, yes.

James is known for his immense talent and skill, but he has a horribly hard time dealing with the limelight and pressure situations that come along with being a star in the NBA.

Football is known as the ultimate team sport, opposed to basketball, which revolves around the stars.

Sure, the NFL is driven around star power as well, but no one player can win a game on their own.

Perhaps it would be a good change for LeBron. He has the talent to be a great tight end or receiver in the  NFL and he could shine as part of the team. There would be much less pressure on him to be "the guy," but he could still be a star.

It may actually be the perfect situation for LeBron. All the hype that comes along with being a star, yet none of the pressure of carrying a team on his back.

I think we all know that this would never happen, but it's certainly interesting to think about.