Tomorrow, I'll provide my guess on what he will do on that fateful summer day.
1. Perception. Ever heard the term "Global Icon" mentioned when discussing LeBron? That is what he aspires to be, he has so much as said so. A global icon. That is a big word, probably too big of a word to be used on someone based in Cleveland, Ohio. No disrespect meant to Cleveland. I was born there and I love the city. But how many global icons do you know that live and work in Cleveland? I can't think of one. For this reason, LeBron may think (or his "people" may engrave it into his head) that he will never achieve that status in Cleveland. Only in a big city ... New York, Los Angeles, even Miami. It's not just about living there, LeBron can live in any or all of those cities and still play in Cleveland. It's about being a part of that city. Having your name associated with that city. Wearing that city's name on the front of his jersey. Yes, LeBron may value that more than money, more than championships, more than hometown loyalty. If becoming a "global icon" is something he really wants and not just one of the many untrue things that float around about him. I do know that he is a huge presence in China and that is a big deal to him. Many stories have been written about that. Let's backtrack a little bit. LeBron is already rich and even though the Cavs can often him more money than anyone else, that may not matter. When you are worth hundreds of millions of dollars, already, what's the difference between $120 million and $100 million? I'd venture to say not much, if along with that $100 million comes being the face of a New York , Los Angeles or Miami sports franchise, which includes unlimited media coverage, unlimited hype, movie premiers, celebrities and on and on and on. Cleveland can provide none of that, and to LeBron, perception may be all that matters. Familiar with the James Bond film "The World is Not Enough"? Well in this case it may be "Cleveland is Not Enough."
2. Aligning himself with a star. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are also going to be unrestricted free agents on 7-1. Could LeBron and one of these two guys (all max-contract players) go into collusion and work it so they both sign with the same team? For example, the Heat clear loads of salaries, resign Wade and bring in LeBron. Or the Knicks clear salary and bring in Wade and LeBron, or Bosh and LeBron. Or other teams doing the same thing. It could happen and if the opportunity presented himself, LeBron could be willing to share the limelight with one of these guys. Could he really, though? There are those who don't think it would work. There is only one ball and so many shots to go around. A move like that would take both guys putting their MASSIVE egos aside and give everything they have to make it work. Also, how good would their supporting cast be if the team only has enough to pay the two of them? Hope that makes sense. The completion of this scenario would mean that LeBron values the chance at multiple NBA titles more than anything. Does he? I can't answer that. But if he does and he has a chance to make something like this happen, don't be shocked.
3. The Cavs fall short this season and he is fed up. Say the Cavaliers roll through the rest of the regular season (likely) get to the playoffs and fall flat on their face. First-round loss, second-round loss, East finals loss ... it doesn't matter. With this team, with the high payroll and high expectations and high talent level, anything short of an NBA Finals trip is "falling short." What about a trip the Finals but another loss. If so, that will be six years of "falling short" and LeBron may have had enough and want a fresh start on a team that, depending on how the landscape looks this summer, has a better shot at winning. Again, this scenario, like No. 2, is predicated on the fact that LeBron values winning more than money or fame or notoriety or status or global "iconism". He may think "I tried for six years to bring Cleveland a title. It ain't happening." If this were the case, who could really blame him?
* Photo courtesy of the Associated Press
No comments:
Post a Comment