LeBron Will Stay in Cleveland, I think
Bold predictions are abound. Everyone’s an expert. So I must be an expert too, so welcome to my not-so-ridiculous opinion on where LeBron will end up playing basketball next year.
Here are some facts we know:
1. LeBron wants a competitive team that can win a ring, but really, he wants a team that will win multiple rings.
2. LeBron loves the spotlight. He will not be a backup player to another superstar.
3. LeBron will not throw away $30M. A sign-and-trade is the only way he could get max salary and go where he wants.
4. A sign-and-trade would cripple whatever team does a sign-and-trade in current and/or future years.
So let’s analyze the teams that believe they can attain LeBron and be competitive.
1. LA Lakers – Won’t happen because of #2 above.
2. LA Clippers – Good PG, but better than Mo Williams? Good Center, but injury prone. So who are the Clippers going to package to complete a sign-and-trade? Lotto picks won’t be as attractive, because the Clippers will be about a .500 team if they get LeBron, and the Cavs know that.
3. New Jersey – Just got #3 in the lottery. They would have to give that up and future lottery picks to get LeBron. This team would then not be able to get the 2nd all-star to make the Nets competitive.
4. New York – The only thing that’s attractive to LeBron about NYC is the stage. And LeBron knows that if he loses in NYC, he will be damaged goods. New Yorkers are nice to be around until you lose, then they hate you. Thank the Yankees for that mentality.
5. Dallas – I saw the Dallas Morning Star say the Mavs would consider a trade for LeBron, but they wouldn’t give up Dirk or a couple other players. This was the most ridiculous article I ever read regarding LeBron. While Cuban is a good owner and spends money to win championships, this team is so far away from the Finals it isn’t even funny.
6. Chicago – This is the ONLY place outside Cleveland I could see LeBron landing, and it would take a sign-and-trade with Rose to get him. Noah would stay in Chicago. But LeBron will forever be playing in Michael Jordan’s shadow, no matter how many rings he won.
7. Cleveland – Very logical. Even though my Cleveland heart says he’s leaving, because Cleveland can never do anything right in the realm of sports, this is the most logical place for LeBron. He gets max money. Huge contracts are expiring after this year. And there are two huge players that Cleveland can lure to play with LeBron — Bosh or Amare. We may have to give away Delonte, JJ, Gibson, and/or Varajao, and Ferry knows it. Dan Gilbert is an incredible owner and will spend money to get a championship — so much better than any previous owner of the Cavs. And the Chinese minority ownership in the Cavs has some deep pockets too.
There ya go. I’m an expert too, just like all those other “insiders”. And if that’s not enough convincing, here’s one more thought:
When you see a Bulls jersey, the person you think of first is usually Michael Jordan, and he’s long gone. That’s very hard for LeBron to change. However, when you see a Cavs jersey, who do you think of? Much of that depends on which version of the Cavs jersey you see, but it could be a long list of players. Many would say Mark Price or Brad Daugherty if they saw the old orange and blue jerseys. Many would say LeBron or Mo Williams if they saw the current jerseys. But without a championship, most people will forget LeBron played in Cleveland. Garnett was a Timberwolf earlier in his career, and was incredible too, but it wasn’t until he won a championship in Boston was he iconic.
Championships define players and teams. When it happens, they are forever married in our minds. Keeping LeBron is so important to the Cavs that they will do anything to win, and LeBron knows that. He has a chance to put his hometown on the basketball map, and no matter if he wants to play in a bigger city, he has a loyalty and love for Ohio that will conquer all the outside influence. Most people outside Ohio will never understand that.
I hope I’m right. And I hope he embraces the city, like Cribbs does, when he announces to stay in Cleveland.
