Scott Cacciola's lede article on LeBron James as the NBA's defining story this off-season misses the underlying existential struggle that provides context for Marc Stein's report on the frantic free agent musical chairs now under-way.
It's an epic struggle that mirrors the ideological contrast between Karl Marx and Ayn Rand or between democracy and dictatorship. It could as easily be Captain America v. Justice League (so says my teen neighbor who hits 50% on 3's for her AAU team and idolizes WNBA's Ivory Latta when she isn't pinching her brother's comics).
It's the story of the past 4 NBA Finals and with LeBron's opting out of the Cavs it's clear which side has won: The Hampton Five with a 4-0 beat down of The NBA King James Version, making it 3-1.
Since LBJ can't beat'em, he's joining them. No, not the Dubs but another franchise preferably with Kawhi, PG13 or CP3 and DWade off the bench. It's the Miami Great Decision 2.0 but minus Bosh and Wade.
But LeBron doesn't get it. The Hampton 5 may be a super-team but it's supers playing as a team not Superman + 4 minions who miss must-make free throws and dribble out the clock in a tie game.
Durant joined the Dubs because he wanted to play basket-ball not celebrity iso-ball or I-did-it-my-way-ball. LeBron's looking for hired help to seal his G.O.A.T. legacy.
LeBron's day job is selling sneakers. Salesmen do one on one, not all for one and one for all.
He'll never be G.O.A.T if he keeps acting like one.
2
LeBron and his agent have expressed high interest in the entertainment business. James will go to the Lakers to lay the foundation of his life after basketball. He has maintained a home in Los Angeles for several years now.
In addition, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a mess. Owner Dan Gilbert is a basketball dilettante and a guy who does internet mortgages. Yes, he spent way over the salary cap. But look at his Cavs' management team and coaching staff. They are disorganized compared to Golden State.
The foundation of the team gave LeBron no chance to win. It's a miracle he won the eastern conference this year. The Cleveland Cavaliers are not a "team," James knows it and is gone.
Earvin Johnson will have a better understanding of what LeBron wants and needs to have a good team. Magic and LBJ could have great synergy on and off the court.
James understands that, among marquee players who have been to multiple NBA finals, he has the worst record - nine appearances and only three championships won.
He desperately wants to improve that and the team that would give him the best chance (aside from the Warriors, who don't need him) is the Houston Rockets.
And that's where he will be going.
The start of the sweepstakes is somewhat revealing - none of the likely high profile stars wants to play with LeBron.
Kyrie Irving did not leave to escape LBJ's shadow [as suggested by another article today] - he left because playing with LeBron is insufferable.
Perhaps the lesson here is a universal one - you may be the best at something but if you are a horrible human being no one will want to partner with you to accomplish a greater good.
hilarious comments, thanks so much everyone for this little break in horrid news.
You know what? If Lebron's happy, I'm happy. Because it's not about me. And it's not about you. It's about Lebron. Being happy.
2
What's amazing and wonderful at the same time is that no one, and that includes all the so-called "insiders', have any idea what LeBron will do. He controls the narrative.
1
It's a long shot, but given LeBron's social consciousness and willingness to speak up on political matters, might he stay in Cleveland in order to set the stage to ask the voters of Ohio to let him take his talents to Washington?
Not the Wizards , but maybe against Rob Portman in 2022?
3
I could sign on to that idea. Portman would thrive in retirement.
2
Whatever. The Portland Trail Blazers will overcome all. Rip City.
1
@Joe P.
Great punchline...but where's the joke?
Clyde the Glide Drexler had to jump Clutch City for Choke City to win a ring with Hakim The Dream.
McCollum -- still missing a handle to match Dame (3J? Jaws? 3Mac? C3PO?) -- needs a room of his own or a new roommate if he aspires to be a Lord of the Rings.
Dame needs Boogie, KAT or lots of Love to get Clutch City to stop slipping in first gear. No Boogie Kat Love?
Try Tyreke or go pride with x-spur Gay.
With Paul Allen, NBA's richest owner, the path to Emerald City is paved with gold bricks. With a self-designated GOAT looking for greener pastures, it's time for Allen to go full Wiz of Oz and rent a GOAT for a year or two of eyes on the prize luxury, a rounding error on Allen's 1040A.
Too much whirling around with the tears of the b-ball gods flooding Moda Center and washing out blazing trails?
It's time for Rip to flip or grip.
We're not in James Naismith's Kansas anymore.
5
The N.B.A. , like all professional sports, is a joke. Follow or root for these elite snob athletes at your own peril. Thanks to free agency, they switch teams at will, with no care for the fans who pay big bucks to watch them perform, and hope their chosen team will purchase the rights to the latest big shot free agent. Meanwhile, the get rich quick stars get richer, add a few more tattoos, and laugh with derision at the fans from the cities that they deserted for a bigger paycheck elsewhere. Real sports now stops at the high school level. I hope it does not go any lower.
2
Looking for more rings, but needs to overcome the Warriors. He should head to Boston. They can deal Kyrie and Rozier, and still have a starting five that includes LeBron, Horford, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum (whom I think is better that the RotY, Ben Simmons). They can fill up the rest of the roster with the usual verterans looking for rings. What is the Boston version of David West? Andre Iguodala? Instant contenders. That much talent on his roster will allow him to play 30 minutes per game for the regular season, which will add years to his already astonishing durability.
Hmmm. Cleveland and Ohio or Los Angeles and California or just about anywhere else...
I recall Lebron playing an important role in ousting Donald Sterling from the NBA for the hideous crime of being overheard saying stupid things to his girlfriend on the telephone.
I hope Sterling is still healthy enough to attend Laker games and comment on the quality of Lebron’s play and other things.
2
If LeBron really wants to put his own brand on an NBA championship team, he can come to Washington. With John Wall and Bradley Beal, LeBron could turn the Wizards' fortunes around. Besides, the Rockets are James Harden's team.
1
Not a basketball fan but How about signing with the Knicks and retire a legend's legend by bringing them a title -- or at least a shot at one.
2
Since we have the Sacramento Kings,
WE NEED KING JAMES IN SACRAMENTO!
Come to your new home, dear Sir.
Sixers, baby! LA fans don't care. Come join Embiid and Simmons. Embrace the future.
2
James should stay in the Eastern Conference. Why would he go out west?
I see a possible reunion with Wade in Miami.
Let's see... Hmmm where do they need a ball hog...
LeBron has earned the right to go wherever he wants. He is a transcendent player who will make any team he goes to a Finals contender. If he lines up a few superstars around him to make playoff games against the Warriors/Rockets/Spurs more interesting, I'm game.
LeBron's legacy is in Cleveland. Otherwise he is just another mercenary in Trump's America who thinks all that matters is winning and what's in it for me. He would no longer be a role model to the children of Akron and no longer be seen as a credible symbol of the resistance to Trump or a hope of a new politics in America.
I would hate to see that become LeBron's legacy because his growth as a person is more admirable than his athletic talent.
People disrespecting Cleveland and Northeast Ohio should know that Jesse Owens,Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison and Halle Berry were raised here. Along with LeBron James. And there are many other outstanding examples of why the area is probably one of the best places in the US to raise self-confident high achieving Black children.
That being said as LeBron told his fans "You know me!" and indeed we do and loved him before he became famous. He is family and we want him to be happy.
We shall see what he values most.
2
Nice perspective, Christine. But Lebron is a pretty incredible guy given what he's overcome to achieve his success. And he has maintained a pretty unblemished reputation... and has a strong history of giving to others. In fact, he's very un-Trumpian.
Regardless, Cleveland shines with or without him -- a stunning depth of arts and culture led by a world class orchestra, access to undeniably world class health care led by the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, an incredible dining scene thanks to the likes of Michael Symon, Zack Burell, Karen Small, the Sokolowski family, and others, a collection of strong, thriving fortune 500 companies, communities that are becoming incubators for tech companies like Hyland Software, access to education from reputable institutions from middle school through university, access to an incredible National and local parks system, and of course, a housing stock that rivals any other major city.... and sits on a great lake. A "rust belt" city that has knocked the rust off and is looking quite good.
3
All you say is also true. Thanks for the testimonial!
Yeah, well, it's not southern California.
Pro basketball was one of the loves of my life but it is incredibly frustrating and boring when there are only 1-3 teams with any chance to win the title, year in and year out, and those 1-3 are the same teams for a whole decade. There has only been one successful middle-market team (the Spurs) and they just happened to luck into Tim Duncan, the one superstar who didn't really crave the spotlight. They also lucked into a couple of foreign-born stars, Parker and Ginobili, at a time when most of the league was not scouting foreign players like they do now. A middle-market team, let alone a small market team, will never be that successful again in the NBA.
I can see why people still watch football, baseball, and hockey, since there is more parity in those sports. I wish I could get into them, but I just can't.
3
LeBron could learn to be a true team player that would make him an interesting addition to the Warriors. Watching their fluid play as they pass and cut, never dribbling, rarely bullying their way to rim, is a style that would extend LeBron's playing years.
On the money side, the salary is literally de minimis and heavily taxed as earned income, not capital gains. The value is in creating the brand, which he controls and it is a long term asset. LeBron would come out ahead on taking a salary cut.
Note that other Warriors gladly took pay cuts to get Kevin Durant to be a member of the team. They're a team that plays together like all-stars, not just a bunch of all-stars on the floor together.
I've heard from relatives in the midwest that LeBron is a true humanitarian, has a sense of humor, is well spoken and polite in public, and is concerned about others and generous with kids and school. All qualities that would make him welcome here.
I wish him well regardless. It's a long journey from east Akron!
This comment seems to long to be a joke, and yet...
"the salary is literally de minimis and heavily taxed as earned income"
35 million a year after agent fee, taxes etc will be > $16 Million, or $438,356 every day of a 365 day year, or basically his take home daily income is greater then the pretax yearly income of half of the country!!!!!!!!!!!!!
$16,000,000 invested at an interest rate of $3.0% would spin off an income of $480,000 per year in perpetuity, that in Ohio, would put him in the top .25% of earners just on the interest on one years income!!!!!!
The numbers are staggering, not deminis.
Check your decimals - it's only $43,835 per day (not $438,356). Still pretty good but only 10% of what you claim. Neither is de minimis.
James is going to the Rockets. He gets the veteran help he needs and wants to turn the corner on another title. The Lakers are, well, still the Lakers. A young average or less team with barely competent management starting with ownership down to GM and advisors.
1
He’s coming to Los Angeles, for one real reason… His off court career has been gravitating towards movies and television, as an actor and as a producer. It only makes logical sense for him to come to the entertainment capital of the world.
Lebron wants to be happy. He wants to wake up and be excited about life. Don’t we all? He’s gone! And I doubt he will sign with the Sixers or the Rockets. Most likely, Lebron will sign with one of the LA teams, because he was planning to live in LA sooner or later. I think he wants his kids to grow up in California. This is a permanent move for him and his family. So, I think he’ll sign with the Lakers or the Clippers. Yes, the Clippers! I think the Clippers have a better shot at landing Lebron than any team outside of California. We’ll see.
If he wants a championship, he'll go to Houston.
LeBron is going to leave Cleveland for Detroit! LOL
2
He'll leave the Mistake by the Lake, for Disney near the Sea. But the crown? It stays in The Town.
4
I'm a Lakers fan, but I have to say, nicely done! (Plus, sadly, I agree).
1
Say what you will about the NFL, but the league has parity, despite the wretched Patriots being in the Super Bowl often, every year someone new emerges.
The NBA will soon be a league of haves and have nots, dominated by the latter. 3-4 powerhouses, the rest mired in mediocrity.
Not good. How Durant was allowed to go to a super-team like Golden State tells you the direction the league has moved.
The rich get richer, the poor teams starve.
2
I have seen this "movie" before, when for an entire decade it was the Lakers and Celtics, with a 3 year run by 76ers, before the Pistons and Bulls joined the party. The problem with the NBA is that the Western Conf has dominated for more than 15 years, and it doesn't as though that's not going to change anytime soon. If Lebron and Kyree remain in the East, Leonard ends up in Boston, and Philly pick up where they left off, the NBA will be fine. Durant going to Warriors shows how he weak is, no reflection on the "League".
Kevin Durant ruined the league by going to Golden State.
The NBA needs to do something to create a more level playing field rather than these 2-3 team powerhouses. They need to incentivize players and teams to not have a full roster of all stars.
The Celtics will never win. Houston was close but everyone knew they wouldn’t win it all either. (Golden State took out Kawahi Leonard’s foot last year to win.) But they should all be viable contenders.
Now the whole season is pointless and just the next playoffs matter. There’s no doubt who will be in it.
8
KD's decision was a death knell for the NBA. I honestly don't know what the answer is, but the NFL and MLB are so much more fun because it's not a given that only one or possibly 2 teams can win it all.
2
This is baloney. You want the league to come once in a while and knee-cap some players in a "too good" a team?!
The salary cap is there. The draft is there. They still allow only 5 players for each team to be on at the same time. Both sides of the hoops are the same height and diameter. What more do you want?
It is just that some teams are more fun/attractive to play for, for the players. Many players in Golden State decided to take lower pay to stay in or move to that team. This despite California being a higher tax state.
You can play for the Rockets and save all the state Tax money and have a much bigger house -- but when you wake up you will be in Texas and the neighbors on your left and right will be Texans. Maybe, barbecue for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is not just your thing.
Steve Kerr is well liked. The players don't have any issues with the management. Yes, things usually work out when you are winning. But winning doesn't just happen -- just ask the Rockets.
1
Houston was up 3-2 when Chris Paul went down with the hamstring. The Dubs were having a tough time handling them. Had Paul stayed healthy, they had a decent chance of beating GS, and an excellent chance of beating the Cavs after that.
I greatly admire Lebron, but he is an athlete willing to go anywhere they will pay him the max contract, greatly overspend the salary cap (it's not really a cap, it's more like a guideline), with a chance to win the title every year. I would do the exact same thing if I could.
3
He’s walking away from $35.6m for... what? He’s probably not going to get that much from the next team. But he’s already got more money than he’ll ever be able to spend. Maybe this time, which is probably the last time he signs a contract, he goes for what the family wants.
By rule, no team can pay unrestricted free agents more than the team they are leaving. So, should he leave, it will not be motivated by money.
Brooklyn’s booming like never before! (Granted to a significant extent, in languages that historically were never spoken there!)
That’s where the king of the court should go!!!
3
Cannot believe people think the primary factor in his decision process will be the happiness and satisfaction of his family.
Seriously?
If we know one thing about him, it's all about LeBron all the time. They'll be fine. What choice do they have?
8
Apparently you've never heard of the LeBron James Family Foundation and what it has accomplished for the people of his home state, particularly the children. You should read up on it sometime before you judge what drives people that you don't know and have never met. In any event I'm just guessing he's contributed more to his community, time and money, than you ever will, even on a relative scale.
14
You've touched on a key factor with BronBron. He may be one of the best basketball players of all time but basketball is a team sport. While he seems to be growing more cognizant of this as he gets older, any team considering bringing him on board will need to factor that in if they already have a decent lineup that works well together because team cohesiveness could plummet with an egomaniac, even if said egomaniac has a great individual skills.
Seriously?
Get your NBA news from Fox News?
The gaping disconnect between LeBron and the "one thing about him" you claim to know, is sufficient to by itself get rid of the rising seas problem global warming is bringing us.
2
There was the theory LeBron would stay put so his son could play at the same high school he gained fame at. But that theory could backfire, because his son would constantly be compared to his dad, a burden no son should have to bear for his entire high school career, and LeBron is intelligent enough to realize what that burden would be on his son. So, bye bye Cleveland.
4
$ 35.6 million a year/$684,615 a week,$97,800 a day/$4075 an hour/$ 68.00 a minute.
Need I say more?
5
This is an unimaginable amount of money to most of us.
1
Good work (and salary) if you can get it.
$68 isn't so much. Can't even buy a pair of LeBron basketball shoes for that. He'll never get real money like that Bezos guy.
Good for him - he shouldn't have to carry the team.
6
Which is funny because he's expected to go to LA where he will most definitely be expected to carry the team.
12
Lakers has a decent coach, and young talents like Kuzma and Ingram (if they are not traded to Spurs, that is). Cavs have a really bad coach, and a few good young players who don't get any minutes. Not to mention Larry Nance Jr. and Kyle Korver were incorrectly utilized, if utilized at all. So, the weight on his shoulders would definitely be less.
Lebron was looking for some strong support.
Calling the Donald a "Bum" will be a bit easier from LA!
11
THE STORY OF LEBRON'S TALENTS:
Lebron packed up his talents into a cardboard box.
And put that box on jet plane out of Cleveland.
Nobody yet knows where that jet is headed or where Lebron will bring his talents.
And the jet has a full tank and can bring those talents as far as the East Coast. Or West Coast. Or even the Gulf Coast.
But he will not bring his talents to South Beach.
Nor will the jet circle the airport and return back to Cleveland--that is just wasting jet fuel.
But it is certain Lebron will negotiate a fine deal for his talents.
And every NBA franchise wants those talents. And maybe an errant baseball franchise too?
And every ear is listening for the talents final landing spot will be.
And in the end. Lebron will announce that he 'will bring his Talents to....'
Which is a fine end for Lebron's talents?
But where will Lebron's heart go?
1
Does one really need a reason to leave Ohio?
26
It’s all about perspective.
Great place to live. Cities don't smell like urine and have homeless problems.
Maybe this is why so many people hate Nancy Pelosi? I've been scratching my head for years but I've gotten a clue.
Thanks.
In California oral contracts are binding. So this gap between June 29th date for oral agreements and July 6th date for written contracts is interesting.
I am not sure if the league's rule/moratorium can override that. California's law states that it is valid unless disallowed or illegal per federal/state/or local law, and some other exceptions. I don't see how the league moratorium qualifies as any of those.
It's of course possible that the league got its monopolistic Mafia status enshrined in the US constitution.
Hey Lebron, want to cement your legacy and end forever the pointless, apples-to-oranges comparisons of you with Jordan? Do something really impossible that even Michael couldn't have done - come to New York and make the Knicks relevant again.
11
BassGuy: As long as Dolan is running MSG the Knicks will waste away and never be relevant. I think LeBron sees this and will go to a team where there is no Dolan.
14
He got Cavs a championship which wasn’t done until now, and not for any sports in Cleveland since the Browns got one cmback in the day. So yeah he did something MJ couldn’t have done.
1
Even Jesus couldn't do that.
Massive celebrations in Toronto!!!
1
Because 35 million dollars isn't enough to play a game.
3
Let's face it...you or I would do the same.
1
Bye Cleveland. He wouldn't have opted for free agency if he intended to stay put.
1
LaVar Ball: "It's about damn time they tried to get someone almost as good as my son on the team."
32
He is simply a great player and got Cleveland one title. He can go wherever he wants. Surprised that no one has said Houston here. California taxes are sky high. And he can always come here in off season for entertainment deal etc. Lakers is not slam dunk.
2
Could be that he's found new respect for the team that is moving to San Francisco - and working with his buddy Steph would be a lot more fun than staying with the erratic Cavs. As for the family angle, he could be thinking San Fran would be nice for them too. The problem - the NBA would have its championship wrapped up before the first day of the season.
2
One of the two best basketball players of all-time should go where he and his family want to go. He's earned that right.
27
I live in a small town between Akron and Cleveland, and one township over from LeBron's home in Bath, Ohio. I love LeBron and his character, perserverance and love of Akron and its people, but LeBron shouldn't have to carry the full burden of the Cavaliers any longer. Look, the Warriors have been raiding Akron and Cleveland for far too long. Seth Curry was born in Akron. Coach Steve Kerr played for the Cavaliers in the '89 to '92 Seasons (Jersey Number 5). But Steve Kerr surrounds Seth Curry with the best players in the league. He steals them from other teams without regret. If Cavs management can't do the same for LeBron, LeBron has every right to leave (probably to LA, which would support his entertainment business enterprises). If I were the Cavs owner with a real passion to win, nothing would be beyond me. Not even a play for Akron's Seth Curry himself, if it were only possible...
25
never heard of Seth Curry
7
You lost me at “Seth”.
5
He's Ledon James's cousin.
9
Just chasing another title ring....But who can blame him, given the blowout by the Warriors. LOL from the Bay Area.
1
James also has a producing deal with Warner Brothers which would make LA a good place for him to set up his post-basketball career.
It is also not Harden's team like Houston is.
3
Lakers. For family reasons (better opportunities to position his sons, and higher level of high school competition), relationship reasons (Savannah not ready to spend life in Akron OH), and professional reasons (Cavs not ready for prime time, and Gilbert may sell), and future reasons (his interest in media production) -- it's in LeBron's best interest to head West.
6
I don't give a flip where LBJ goes, just so long as it isn't to the Knicks. Not that it would ever happen, anyway.
4
Indeed, I hope he doesn’t go there, the team is way too weak to win anything.
If you don’t give a flip, then why do you read and comment?
Go Bron
#hatersgonnahate
1
LBJ would destroy the Knicks. Right now, their highest paid player is Enes Kanter, of all people. Imagine putting a $36 million salary onto the payroll. LBJ requires other top stars to play with him, and there aren't any on the Knicks, with the exception of KP. With dead contracts like Noah's, the money just isn't there for LBJ and the others he needs to surround him. I can see Dolan trying to sign him for the marketing that would bring, but Dolan isn't a brainiac about these things. LBJ has his heart set on the Lakers, anyway. Have fun out West, I say.
I wonder; where will he be taking his talents?
1
add the word diminishing between his and talents.
8
I watched quite a bit of his games this year and detected no diminution of his talents.
Seriously? He had one of his best seasons this year. He's a beast ... and a durable one at that.