Many of us remember the day in 2003 that LeBron James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the number 1 pick in the NBA Draft. At the young age of 18, James was set to revolutionalize the league Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era. He was the next Michael Jordan, set to with an unprecedented amount of MVP awards and NBA championships. LeBron James WAS the NBA.
But now it's 2010 and the Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer the team that King James plays for. He has moved to South Beach, where he has teamed up with 'super friends' Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. They've become arguably the best team in the NBA and without a doubt have received more hype and expectations than any other team in the history of the NBA. The effect that the decision LeBron James made to move to Miami had instant impact; retired NBA players, like Penny Hardaway, said that they would be willing to come out of retirement for a shot to play with the Heat in Miami. But that is not the only impact that the Lebron James move has made around the league.
LeBron was set to be the NBA's Savior, but now it seems as if he is becoming more of a killer of the NBA than anything else, and possibly not to any fault of his own. I'm a supporter of his choice to move to Miami, he did what is best for him and his family and ultimately gave him the best chance to win his first NBA Championship. But the events that followed his decision to go, lead me to wonder if he is regretting the decision to leave.
Shortly after Lebron moved to Miami, Chris Paul decided to become a little more vocal with his displeasure in New Orleans. He demanded for a trade, but not just a trade to any team, he demanded that he be traded to a contender, with the New York Knicks at the top of his list. While he was demanding this trade, Amare'e Staudamire was recruiting Paul to join him in New York. (Keep in mind, Paul is still under contract through the end of this year.) Paul feels that he has no chance to win in New Orleans, and wants to make his own 'Big 3' similar to that of James.
Paul wasn't the only player that was unhappy with his current situation. Carmelo Anthony expressed his unhappiness, when he refused to sign a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets. Yes players choose to move on all the time, but Anthony was anticipated to resign, until LeBron moved. Shortly after the contract extension talks fell through, Anthony requested a trade to go to a top contender; the Knicks or the Bulls. Both of those suitors would welcome Anthony with open arms as that would give them their own "Big 3".
The Lakers and the Celtics, already have a very similar situation, where they have 3 perrenial All-Stars on their roster that play day in and day out.
Is this the new face of NBA basketball? It seems as if it is impossible for anyone not located in Los Angeles or Miami to walk away with the Title of NBA Champs this year. Lebron James' decision to unite with All-Stars Bosh and Wade had changed the entire face of the NBA, but is it really for the better?
Many would argue that LeBron isn't a Savior at all, that he had made the NBA a laughing stock, where players under contract demand trades, where selfishness trumps any team loyalty; where the love of a title is more important than playing for your hometown crowd. The small market team has virtually been destroyed. There is virtually no chance for a small team without a their own version of the Big 3 to win a championship and many fans agree. Many fans don't want to watch the NBA anymore, saying that becauase their team can't win, it's not worth it.
LeBron James did the move that was best for him, but I don't think he had any idea of the rippling effect his decision would play on the rest of league. King James was once labeled as the Savior of the NBA, but is changing, or possibly even killing, the face of the NBA.
-Jeff Hansen
Just reminding everyone, post your comments, give me some feedback about your opinion of LeBron James!
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