Lebron James finally made his decision, which is to join Wade & Bosh in Miami. After a long period of speculations & curiosity, the Cavaliers find themselves in a tough situation. I personally feel sad for the Cavalier fans and the city of Cleveland in general, because they no longer have a King to lead their kingdom. Now all eyes are on their new coach, Byron Scott, who is one of the most respected coaches in the league. I am sure he knows he has a tough job ahead of him, especially when you consider that, the team was built around Lebron.
I have watched some Cavalier fans burn Lebron James jersey out of frustration and anger, over his decision. Dan Gilbert, Cavaliers majority owner had few words of his own to Lebron’s decision. Most Cavalier fans feel betrayed, and stabbed in the back after years of standing behind the now fallen King. When Joachim Noah of the Chicago Bulls made unsoundly remarks against Cleveland & Lebron during the 2010 playoffs, the Cav fans didn’t shy away from showing their anger towards him. They booed him all through the series, until when the Bulls were eliminated. At that time, it was accurate to say that, Noah was the most hated man in Cleveland.
Now the Cavalier fans have to turn their rage against one of their own, or who was once their own and crucify him. Although Lebron James decision is understandable, but next time he visits Cleveland wearing his Miami jersey, he won’t be welcomed with fireworks but sounds of boos. The fans that once cheered and embraced him, will now be the mob that will want to shred him into pieces.
After war of words, broken-hearted songs, and the fireworks in South Beach, the ultimate question will be; what does Lebron’s move really mean for the Miami Heat, the other NBA teams and the game of basketball overall. For Miami Heat this is definitely a dynasty created, at least on the paper for now. Wade, Lebron & Bosh are the new BIG THREE of the Eastern Conference, a title that was once held by Garnett, Pierce & Ray Allen. With Miami Heat’s BIG THREE playing together, less than a championship will be a great failure, although that failure will be hugely celebrated back in Cleveland. But, in spite of what might happen, Miami has the championship pieces, the question is, can the coach make the pieces work smoothly together, both in the court and off the court. I say this because, yesterday it was Wade’s Miami Heat, but today I am not sure what to call it. I am afraid we may have to find a new name that will have all three names together, like Brangelina.
Secondly, Lebron’s move will definitely cause a “commotion” in the NBA, as other teams will continue to strengthen their own teams ready to compete with the Miami Heat next season. It’s going to be tough for most of them, but I understand basketball just like soccer, it’s a team sport, unless you ask Diego Maradona. But can we confidently say, the other teams in the East will be able to complete with Heat’s Big Three at championship level? I personally don’t have the answer right now, although I have some hope on Orlando, because they are young and strong. Unfortunately, I am a little bit concerned with the Boston Celtics. They may have the experience, but their big three are not as healthy and strong like before. It will be difficult for them to run up and down the court matching up with Lebron and Dwayne Wade’s energy and athleticism.
Thirdly, before we start to imagine the possibility of Lakers playing Miami Heat in the finals next season and how entertaining it will be, we should ask one fundamental question. What does Lebron’s move to Miami mean to the game of basketball? I would hope that, the answer won’t be the beginning of the end to competition in the NBA. This brings me to the issue of having all superstar players in one team. The picture doesn’t look so colorful for most of the Eastern Conference teams. Then, does this mean competition is dead in the Eastern Conference? In comparison to soccer, we have seen how soccer teams with money love to acquire all world top players, leaving teams with small budget to struggle. This in one word it will be described as monopoly in sports.
Money has somewhat spoilt soccer leagues in Europe, at least some people argue that. Rich clubs like Real Madrid from Spain, Chelsea of England, they buy all world top star players to play in their teams. Now teams with no big budgets are expected to complete with these heavyweights. In addition, most of these top players are foreign, something that has hurt some soccer leagues. For example, the English national team has failed at the international level (World Cup) once again, why? I believe one of the problems to be; having too many foreign players in the Premier League. This behavior is encouraged by rich soccer clubs which use their wealth to acquire top class foreign players. This is due to their urgency to win now, rather than investing on home grown talent. But again, Cleveland did invest on Lebron, only for their investment to backfire..mhhh!!
This urgency is also growing in the NBA today, but its potential dangers at this point may be a bit difficult to examine. Miami Heat is not the only team to acquire top players to play together, only that it will be interesting to see how Lebron’s ego is going to adjust under Wade’s spotlight.
Even thought we know, at the end of the day every team, every coach and every player, their ultimate goal is to win a championship, but might the game of basketball start to become one team show rather than competing with one another. I fear that the competitiveness of the game is being slowly jeopardized by the greed and urgency for victory. Today we can say goodbye to seeing Wade going against Lebron, and vice versa, at least for few seasons to come.
If you ask me about the Lebron-Wade duo, I’ll say it’s more interesting to watch players of their caliber play against each other rather than playing with each other. And this is not out of jealousy or fear, because I don’t think I would have ever wanted to see Lebron playing alongside Kobe. I also don’t want to make it sound like the game of basketball is losing its touch, but like every other sport, competition is important. But, until then, it will be interesting to see what other teams will be doing in the next few weeks and months, but today, my heart goes to Cleveland Cavaliers and rap star ‘Jigga’ Jay Z.
this guy killed it, for people who hate Lebron, this will be a good read..
dah. Cleveland wameliwa. A quick observation, one can’t fail to notice that the greatest players in NBA history made records while in one team during their careers – magic, Bird, MJ, Kobe. Unless we are to witness a KA Jabbar scenario again through Lebron.
This is the situation that David Stern has been trying to avoid in the NBA by enforcing salary caps, draft lotteries and team max deals. Guess its back to the drawing board for Stern and his people.
With Pat Riley back as coach, this team looks to tear up opponents for many seasons to come. On paper at least.
I think its not about the numbers… Bill Russell won 11 rings, Sam Jones 10. But MJ won 6 and he’s the best. For Lebron, he just had to win 1 ring…he’s just 25; his team had 60+ wins in the last 3 seasons so its not as if he was playing for a bad team.
If i were him i would have taken less money so that the Cavs can sign better complimentary pieces. Why jump onto D.Wade bandwagon…..he’s going to face the same criticism as Kobe…(LBJ couldn’t do it without Dwayne Wade + Bosh….).
5 titles in Miami = 1 title in Cavaliers…too bad for him and his legacy.
The way we build up our idols always fascinates me. Then, when something like this happens we crush them without mercy… I bet after this saga there will be some kids out there (from/in Cleveland) that will get depressed because of LBJ’s exodus to the ‘promised land’.**
Unfortunately, most of the time we don’t really know what happens in these teams’ board rooms — basketball or football (don’t call it ‘soccer’ again, Bahati! lol). And I honestly don’t understand the bitterness which accompanies this particular saga. But I believe that the major factor is money; do you think there is a chance he could have moved to Miami with significantly less pay cheque?
Anyways, will be watching the NBA games more often now (i.e. not only the playoffs).
** promised land [click] 🙂
People are going crazy, especially in Cleveland and I feel bad for the fans only because he did it on national television and pretty much said go fly a kite. I wish he went to Chicago but I’ll believe him when he says winning is everything. Ironically people get mad at sports figures for thinking its all about the money not about winning then when we actually see someone who does something about winning he gets crucified.
Everyone forgets that Lebron’s Cleveland team was terrible, despite its great record in the past two years, he really had no all star sidekick or hall of famer sidekick. Kobe has Pau Gasol and D-Fish, he had Shaq and Robert Horry back in the early years. Jordan not only had Pippen, but Rodman (our Ron Artest of this generation), and Phil Jackson. There were so many role players as well during Magic’s days.
I just dont understand why people are so furious over a guy who is sacrificing a lot to win…I thought winning was everything?
Alafu that letter by the GM was ridiculous! He’s mad that he’s going to lose a lot of money. Did any of you guys know about the Cavs before Lebron James?
I think nobody could have said it better than Barkley. Even if he wins a title, he will not be tha guy. He took a easy way out, he pretty much bailed out, how unfortunate. After this, there is no way we can continue with trying to compare him with Kobe. He complains over scoring, are u kidding me, its like a striker complaining about scoring goals, are you serious.
I guess some people were right a long for calling him Queen James, coz a King defends his kingdom, not runaway from it.
I understand the whole point of winning, but he’s still young as Barkley said to run around looking for someone else back to ride on. People are bashing Cavaliers, but what more could have Cavalier done, although they were working on it. Lets remember when going was going through he’s moment, and they had a horrible team for like three seasons. But Kobe was frustrated, but patient, and the team delivered. I am sure Lebron could have worked something out with the Cavs.
I guess all in all, its about what he wants, now lets wait and see another Kobe Shaq drama unfold in Miami.
I agree with one of the contributer, this is not good for basketball. Although I agree with Ahmed that Kobe has always had the pieces, except few seasons ago when they were eliminated in the first round by the Suns. But Kobe and Shaq were among the best, but different comparing with Lebron & Wade. Thats why I said, its more interesting watching these guys go against each other. Shaq or Horry they were never going to play against Kobe, and they were of different caliber. They were great side pieces but Kobe is another level.
I feel for the Cavs, and yes the letter from Gilbert was ridiculous. But I dont believe Cleveland team was terrible, how when they had the best record? If a terrible team can have the best record huko East, that can only mean that, Eastern Conference teams are beyond awful. This will be, in the land of the blind one eye man is the King, but Celtics who didnt have the best record did beat the Cavs, now how does that work. I know Caltics had better match ups, but is it true Lebron bailed out at some point during the Celtics Cavaliers series?..
Now Bosh was in a tricky situation in Toronto, but James, now we know he cannot handle pressure. Ooh poor Lebron, and I blame the media also for this. This King James BS, Lebron this Lebron that has gone on for too long, and made him big headed. This is what happens when pamper your child instead of disciplining him when you need to. How you raise your child, is how he’s going to grow up. James is used to being spoilt and given all the attention he needs, now someone has to pay the price.
He’s officially a fallen King, and Wade said it right. Miami used to be he’s house, always has been, but now he has roommates, yes you heard that correct. He called Bosh & James his roommates. From owning your own house, to living in some else basement..hahah!!
Sports clubs have become just another business. Invest here, gain returns there. The pawns don’t matter no more. Glory is equated with direct investment, no longer with the love of the game.