I’m not angry. Cleveland was given the gift of LeBron James when he was received as the first pick in a draft of superstars. Cleveland was made relevant by LeBron and his basketball skills when Cleveland’s other top sport teams (the Browns and Indians) remained dismal and disappointing. With what James was given to work with over the years, he did quite well. For crying out loud, James took the Cavs to the Finals (and then got swept) with a team that included a starter named “Boobie” and another named Sasha. As a huge Cleveland fan, I am not angry. I am thankful. But this week isn’t about me…it’s about King James.

As of late Wednesday night, the news indications are that James will be joining Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami. So how will this affect James and the perception fans have of him? Let’s break it down.

Going to Miami

• If James is choosing to go to Miami to win I think it is a wise idea; however, if James is going there to become the greatest ever it simply cannot happen. Every Championship that James wins in Miami will include Wade who is already one Championship ahead of him. James will always be behind Wade.
• Past all-time Champions and historic greats have been one-team players for their whole career: Kobe, Jordan (fat Wizard Jordan doesn’t count), Magic, Byrd, Russell, Olajuwon (forget that last year on Toronto).
• James will lose brand appeal, which supposedly he cares a lot about. He will still be known as a singular great, but he will also be known as the new big 3 or the Miami Thrice (I’m claiming that one). A little bit of his individuality will fade.
• James will not have as much on ball time meaning his stats have to go down. Maybe stats don’t matter and all he wants are the rings, but they flash more than Championship team names on basketball telecasts…they often show all time leaders and top stat holders. Say good-bye to your high stat averages LeBron.
• James will be known as the player who left to come to D-Wade. There is something to be said in that. It’s like they stared at each other and James flinched. James is joining D-Wade’s team making Wade the captain, in a way.
• By joining a team with possibly the greatest sum of talent ever, James has to win year one. If he would have stayed on the Cavs he would continue to have a legitimate excuse if he cannot win the Championship.

Staying in Cleveland

• His brand grows. To be able to say loyalty means everything to him is something advertising campaigns can eat-up. Think of the slogans…”Champion to Self or Champion to a City, State and Family?”
• James can make the most money in Cleveland. He can use that money to give to charities and the community he cares for.
• James has time to win. The pieces are not there and other Eastern teams got much better (Miami). With less pressure to win, who knows, maybe James will.
• How amazing and legendary does James become if he wins without the other pieces? It may be difficult, but if he can he will not only have the increased positive brand but one of the greatest sport success stories of all time.

In the end, James has a tough decision. An athlete “plays to win the game”, but is there something to be said about the honor of how the game is played in regards to commitment and loyalty? James wasn’t blessed with amazing secondary players like Magic, Byrd, Kobe and even Jordan were, and James now has a chance to make his own luck in the same way Kevin Garnet and Ray Allen did some years ago. I wouldn’t blame him for doing so. Plus, James is young. What person from Cleveland doesn’t dream of living in Florida or California? I mean come on! It’s Ohio! I love Ohio, but there is a reason the movie stars have homes in the states with the best all around weather and beautiful beaches. They’re just more comfortable and fun.

What will James do?

I believe there are plenty of athletes who are judged by how many Championships they have won, but there are very few that are judged by a higher standard, a standard beyond sports. If James believes in this maybe he’ll throw the curve-ball every Cleveland fan hopes he will and stay in Cleveland…and also sign with the Tribe. They need some a pitcher with a curve-ball.