May 13th, 2010. I had just seen a young man on the cusp of attaining basketball’s greatest grandeur, once again, fall into the abyss of disappointment. Two years in a row. Only this time, his team of advisers had enough sense to let their star know that it was bad sportsmanship–or maybe, more importantly, bad PR–not to shake hands after a loss. Did this Game 6 on the floor of the Boston Gahden mark the end of a brilliant partnership between a heartbroken sports town and its native son? Would we finally see the man who has lived his entire 25 years on this earth within the corridors of Ohio leave home? The Drive. The Fumble. The Shot. Art Modell. The summer of LeBron. Is this the final act to the tragic masterpiece that will finally push the city of Cleveland to the lowest depths of sports depression? Time is ticking.
The Boston Celtics had sent the Cleveland Cavaliers home early for summer vacation–giving the franchise nearly an extra month to sit at the drawing board and ponder a future without their All-Star. If LeBron James decides to leave the only team he has played for as a pro, it may be the hottest, longest and gloomiest summer Cleveland has ever witnessed. Come July 1st, LeBron James will single-handedly change the future of the NBA; whether he stays in Cleveland or not.
It seems as if the “King James” talk should officially be dead–or, at least, temporarily suspended. To me, you can’t be a king without a crown. And by no means do I think winning a NBA title defines pedigree, because no one can tell me that players such as Elgin Baylor, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, John Stockton and Karl Malone aren’t among the greatest to ever play the game. But the anointment of “King,” without any hardware, just doesn’t cut it. As much as LeBron has accomplished during his seven years in the league–an Olympic gold medal, two MVP awards and a trip to the 2007 NBA Finals–a championship still eludes him. Some, including myself, have questioned LeBron’s true desires. I sometimes wonder what he considers more important: becoming the biggest global icon the sports world has ever seen, or becoming the greatest champion the NBA has ever seen. In an era where Kobe and his Lakers still reign supreme, and an Eastern Conference where the Celtics and Magic still look to be tough match-ups for his current Cleveland squad, it looks like LeBron has some soul searching to do.
After becoming the biggest name in basketball by playing in a small market such as Cleveland, the icon thing is pretty much a wrap. The question is: Can LeBron win a championship in his home state of Ohio? That remains to be seen. He has led the Cavaliers to two straight 60-win seasons, but has come up short when it counts the most. The sexier pastures and warmer climates might be calling his name. But if James bolts without redeeming that painful loss on May 13th that removed his name even further from that elusive championship echelon, that would be a very tough pill for the Buckeye State to swallow.
The lure of the brightest lights shining in the biggest cities might be too tempting for LeBron to pass up. In a legendary free agent class that includes Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson and Carlos Boozer, the opportunity to build a team of “Super Friends” may be the chance of a lifetime. But whatever decision is made, it will fall on the nimble shoulders of James. He’ll listen intently to his best friend and business partner, Maverick Carter. He’ll entertain all of the possible scenarios that NBA inside man, William “World Wide Wes” Wesley, can concoct to bring James more fame, more fortune and multiple championships. He’ll take note of the pitches from his idol and mentor, Jay-Z–as Jigga and Russian billionaire, Mikhail Prokhorov, will try to sell the idea of LeBron building a legacy that will have Brooklyn, China and the globe in the palm of his hand.
He’ll look at the possibility of building a dynasty with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah in Chicago; a city where Michael Jordan’s bequest and statue still looms large outside of the United Center. He’ll dissect the young nucleus of the Los Angeles Clippers and the possibility of challenging Kobe for the sovereignty of the west; but only if Hollywood mogul David Geffen buys the team from Donald Sterling. The possibilities are truly endless, but this decision will be made by LeBron and Lebron only. Can “The Chosen One” leave Cleveland with the night of May 13th at the forefront of his conscious? I don’t know.
But one thing is for sure. If LeBron wants to keep the title of “King,” he has to win a couple of those glorious crowns. And on July 1st, when the clock strikes 12 midnight, the world will find out what city he will make his throne.
