LeBron James free agent with power: James top options
From mid 90’s to early years of 2000, the Cleveland franchise experienced their darkest years. They finished their worst record at 17-65 at the end of 2002-2003 regular season. The fortune of the team changed when they had the privilege of having the first overall pick. They did not waste their time in selecting High School phenomenon from Saint Vincent, 18 year-old Lebron James. Immediately, he emerged as the team’s superstar and face of the franchise. He earned recognition at a young age. Starting in All-Star games and receiving the highest honors in the festivities. He broke the individual record of being the youngest in some important categories. Only on his fourth year, he led his team to a final appearance. In two recent seasons, he bagged the Most Valuable Player trophies.
James is unrestricted free agent this season and rumors of signing with New York Knicks make his future interesting. Let’s point out how will James basketball career turn out if he will sign with Knicks and stay with the Cavaliers.
If he chooses New York, it would be a long term process before James becomes part of a championship caliber team with them. Knicks now holding the record of most number of years without post season appearance, they experienced eight consecutive 50 losing seasons, which made them a weak contender every season.
In Cleveland, if James eyes for a title, Julius Erving and Michael Jordan will be a source of inspiration. The two had experienced heartbreak before they nailed their first own title. Erving failed two straight times in 1980 and 1982 before he led Philadelphia Sixers in 1983 against Los Angeles Lakers. Jordan had to experience the superior defense of the Piston’s Bad Boys hammering his Bulls three consecutive times in the playoffs before he won a championship in 1991.
James should have the patience to be a better leader. He is only 25 and on the best position to get his ultimate goal. In New York, based on their history in the last ten years, players that have signed multi-million contracts all ended up being disappointing. Stephon Marbury, Antonio Davis and Eddy Curry were some of them. Some critics have made the observations. Knicks are only playing for their own statistics which affected the team chemistry. With Mike D’Antoni at the sidelines and his systems run their game, they have developed the reputation of being soft, which a title contender should not project.
With Cleveland: The lineup that they built in recent years, include All-Star Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams, valuable role players like Delonte West, Anderson Varejao and J.j Hickson plus a brilliant coach, Mike Brown. Indeed, the Cavaliers championship dream is definitely reachable.
With the Knicks: James adjustment to the atmosphere will be so tough, and will definitely affect his game. He’s not an ordinary player; being a superstar, his role will be a little bit different from his position and role for the past seven years.
Cleveland fans love him so much; James is a big inspiration to all these people. The city of Cleveland is being recognized around the world because of his popularity. James has almost a perfect basketball career, MVP honors, bunch of commercial endorsements and an Olympic Gold Medal. A ring on his finger is the only glory that he doesn’t have.
As the free agency mania is now underway, some franchises with money to offer expensive contracts will not be afraid to gamble in signing a high-caliber player like James. In the end, James’ future will depend on his personal decision, will he travel to Big Apple or will he still stay at Quicken Loans Arena as a Cavalier. The fans understand that winning a championship is of primary importance after consecutive setbacks in recent seasons. According to a famous saying, “You must fail to attain success” and I think this will be a key motivation for James and for the rest of Cavaliers.
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