The King and His Court

Thursday night the Cleveland Cavaliers, excuse me, Lebron James, was knocked out of the NBA playoffs by the Boston Celtics. Any other year the Cavs and Lebron would be in the rearview mirror, and our focus would be adjusted to the teams still breathing. However, this is a Lebron James contact year. So when the final buzzer sounded Thursday Night, and Lebron ripped off his Cavs jersey walking through the locker room tunnel; a story far more important than any Conference final was born.

Lebron James is the biggest star since Jordan, sorry Kobe, so the fact that he is "available" makes headline news just about anywhere. What more is there to say about a guy who rebounds like an All-Star big man, has the court vision of any premier point guard, is on the 2010 NBA 1st Defensive Team, and scores just about when he feels like it. The guy is bigger than basketball. So when the choice is provided to talk NBA Playoffs or Lebron's possible landing strip this summer, I'll talk Lebron over the NBA any day, because frankly, he's the gas that keeps the engine running.

Chicago is ready for Lebron, but is Lebron ready for Chicago? Most rumors have Bron swaying towards the Windy City, but how does he feel about a spotlight that may not always be on him. Derrick Rose is a star, not super, but rising. Is Lebron's off-season decision about winning? Or about image? Rose and King James would seize the NBA as its undisputed "dynamic duo." However, to date Lebron's story is a monologue, not a dialogue, and Derrick Rose is a co-star who could rain on his parade.

The situation is clear in New York. The Knicks have just about licked their salary cap clean over the last few years in anticipation for this class of free agents. Joe Johnson, Wade, Bosh, Dirk, and of course Lebron are the stars in one of the strongest summer menus of all-time; and the Knicks are hoping to help themselves to more than one course. Wade and Lebron in the Big Apple would mean the All-Star game was just a sneak peak of the domination to come. Unlike in Chicago, Lebron aside another super star like D-Wade or Chris Bosh in New York could make him even bigger. The lights of New York are as bright as they come and James could appear on more billboards than any man alive. Not only would Lebron James bring more fans to Madison Square than the last five years combined, but he could be the face of the media capital of the world.

So this one may be far fetched but let me paint this picture for you. Its Christmas Day and warming up on one side of the court is as usual Kobe Bryant with his Lakers. On the other side is Lebron James; in a Los Angeles Clippers jersey. Before writing this off, imagine what Lebron in L.A. would do for NBA Basketball. Lebron has already stolen the "player of the decade" title from Kobe; competition for L.A.'s basketball icon would not only keep both stars honest, but create one of the biggest battles of all time.

What Lebron James is going to need to decide in the coming months is where he wants his career to go. There will be teams that will offer him money and accommodate him with the tools that he needs to win his first title. The team that can do that the best, is in fact the Cavaliers. But is this about a ring? Lebron will be a superstar wherever he goes, but will bringing basketball to a city that has never been a basketball-town make him even bigger? Lebron is on everyone's radar this off-season, and soon he will be able to choose any team that has the necessary cap space. Lebron is young, so building a franchise from scratch like he did in Cleveland is definitely an option. However, Lebron is ring-less, so fitting in as the missing piece in a previously made puzzle could be the best career choice for a star who's legacy is still to come.

JD