LeBron goes from Cleveland to Miami, from hero to villain
In an hour of unbelievably overcooked live TV, LeBron James went from being the nice guy you hoped would someday win a championship to the schemer you hope never does. He went from being John Elway to being A-Rod, from hero to villain.
It must have seemed a good idea at the time: LeBron and his “team” went to ESPN and pitched an one-hour special, and the Worldwide Leader does as the Worldwide Leader invariably does — it turned a news story into a circus. It offered up Stuart Scott, who said “two-time MVP” so often in the space of 10 minutes you wanted to shout: “Bill Russell was a five-time MVP, and he never needed a one-hour special to remind us!”
Bill Russell also won 11 titles, and he never had to cherry-pick his team. Neither did Michael Jordan, who took six, or Magic Johnson, who won five, or Kobe Bryant, who has five, or Tim Duncan, who has four. Even if LeBron does win a championship with the Miami Heat — and there’s no guarantee he will — it won’t be seen as a great player lifting a team; it will be seen as a bunch of glitzy free agents banding together just to burnish their respective images.
The Heat won’t be seen as the Celtics, where three guys who had never won big came together near the end of the careers to enhance one another. They’ll be viewed as the Yankees, where the operative word is always overkill. LeBron James just told us that, for all his exterior bravado, he didn’t trust himself to be the linchpin of a champion. He needs Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Can Carmelo Anthony be far behind?
We the people are funny. We like our stars, but we don’t like sure things. It will be no news when Miami wins, but it will be the lead story whenever it loses. And it won’t just be newsworthy when/if the Heat fails — it will be laugh-out-loud funny.
Had LeBron gone to the Knicks or the Bulls, had he stayed in Cleveland, we’d see him differently today. We’d see him as a superstar looking for a team he could make better, as opposed to one that might well have made do without him. A team needs both LeBron and D-Wade? The two brand names whose games most mirror one another? Why not bring Jordan out of retirement just to complete the set?
The wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, no stranger to hype, offered two sneering Tweets in response to the word circulating early Thursday that LeBron was indeed headed to Miami to ally himself with Wade and Chris Bosh. From C.O.:
“Nickname is KingJames. Kings lead with the help of an army (supporting cast on team) – a lead dog doesn’t join superstars to make it easy.”
Also this:
“Kobe-Magic-Jordan-Bird all created legacies on their own teams. They didn’t join together to make winning a ring easy.”
We can argue that LeBron deserves credit for leaving money on the table. (The Cavs could have paid him more than any other team.) But money at this rarefied level is a given, and what’s a few million here or there? The trouble with being one of three — Miami Thrice! — is that LeBron will never be seen as a transcendent talent on the order of Jordan or Magic or Bird. He couldn’t take the guys around him and make them champs. He had to station himself next to D-Wade, who’s already a champ.
The Summer of LeBron figured to be strange, but it wound up being stranger than anyone could have dreamed. LeBron had the world at his feet, and he managed to alienate a goodly portion thereof. His ballyhooed “Decision” smacks of a calculated plan intent on world domination, and nobody likes a megalomaniac.
LeBron might well have outsmarted himself. A lot of folks who wouldn’t have minded if he won are now hoping he and the Miami Heat will lose. I know. I’m one of them.
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509 comments Add your comment
bigeasy830
July 9th, 2010
10:44 am
Lebron said it best, all the great teams that won titles won as a team, those super stars had help. Jordan had , pippen, Grant, then Pippen, rodman and Tony Kucoc, along with other good role players, Bird had, DJ, Mchale, Parrish and Ainge along with other good role players, Majic had , Kareem, Worthy, Scott, Cooper, Nixon, McCado, my goodness the list goes on and on. Houston and Akeem , had Drexler, Horry, Sam, Kenny Smith, and other good role players. Detroit had, Isaih, Dumars, Lamber, Rodman, Sally and other good role players, Ducan had, Robinson, Parker, Manu Ginobili and others,
Lebron had Mo Williams, Wally szerbiac are you kidding me, the man got tiired of carrying that sorry teeam. Miami will rule the NBA for a long time get use to it. STOP HATING. I am a Hawks fan But Miami will rule the NBA. And, lets keep it real Lebraon and company will make a killing in endorsements unless they pull a Michael Vick.
Football season is nearing and the FALCONS STILL SUCK!!!!!!!
ReddJonn68
July 9th, 2010
10:45 am
Gotta admit Gilbert must vacation at the same resort as Sund. Naming a head coach a week before the biggest decision of Lebron’s life didn’t help matters. He could of at least let Byron form some type relationship with Lebron. Rather than walking into the conference room with placards & a cartoon slide show !!!!
Timmy
July 9th, 2010
10:45 am
I can’t wait to hear LeJoke get booed in Cleveland next year. He has a tattoo of Akron’s area code…this is why you don’t get tattoos, people. LeJoke has a tattoo of a city where everyone now hates him and will continue to hate him.
BAMABILL
July 9th, 2010
10:49 am
For all of those who think that the Heat will automatically win the East and maybe the championship: The NBA is not the Olympics! Miami will not be playing Portugal or Greece every night. They have to fill out their roster with mostly minimum wage guys (ones that are way past their prime or too inexperienced). Comparing them to the Boston three is ridiculous! Pierce, Allen, and Garnett were never egomaniac basketball players-they were team first players and meshed together and with others because of it. Boston did not completely gut their roster and build from scratch.
You have 3 guys that need the ball in their hands-and only ONE BALL! Wonder how long it will take until someone starts bitching about not getting their shots? Yep, Miami will be an instant contender! hahahahaha
No matter what the NBA has become, the winners are still teams that play AS A TEAM.
West Coast Hawks Fan
July 9th, 2010
10:50 am
I will add to my proposed sign and trade deal that i wrote earlier. We will give the Hornets Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Mo Evans, Za Za Pachulia, Ryan Cameron, the A Town Dancers, Harry the Hawk, five of Tiger Woods’ mistresses, that lady that was in the car with Damon Evans and a yearly pass to any strip club to Atlanta do you think they give us Chris Paul?
HugoStiglitz
July 9th, 2010
10:51 am
Charles Barkley put it best. This is never going to be Lebron James team. He is never going to be the man in Miami. He may win a championship but he has pretty much guaranteed that he wont have a legacy like Jordan, Bird, Magic, and even Kobe because he couldnt do it on his own with his own team.
mr bobby's gotta go
July 9th, 2010
10:52 am
he’s not winning in cleveland ppl. and forget loyalty. organizations do whats best for themselves. one day they wud have traded lebron when he got older anyway so he has to do the best for himself. garnett almost rotted in minnesota and now he has a ring. i dont hear anyone saying anything about him being disloyal. loyalty in sports is very very rare and almost never coming from owners. they care about money and thats about it. kudus to lebron for doing what he think is best for him amidst all the backlash. i dont agree with how he did it but i agree with where he is going. magic had two hall of famers. so did bird. lebron will have his chance to win and i think they will. stop hating cuz he left your fav team. he did so much for cleveland. no wonder cleveland hasnt won anything since the sixties. u see how the owner blasted him when he MADE yall relevant again. he made that guy so much money and now he is bitter his pockets wont get fatter. NOW THATS SELFISH!
mr bobby's gotta go
July 9th, 2010
10:55 am
so what if he not like jordan and magic and bird. he is lebron and im sure he is comfortable with that. why do everybody that come in the league who is a superstar have to be like those guys? we will never see a trio like that again so get over it please! he will have his own legacy that has not yet been written. put yourself in his shoes and see what its like. o i forgot you guys will NEVER know what it was like for him so be quiet until that shoe is on your foot. haters kill me!
Steve-O
July 9th, 2010
10:56 am
What a bunch of looser you guys are!! You Whine when someone goes after the money saying that it cheapens the game, and then you turn around and whine when someone goes after the win saying its cheapening the money. Bradley, the biggest looser on here who’s always the first to say of a player, “He was good BUT he never won a Championship…….”; here’s a quote for you, “Those who can DO, those who can’t write sports columns and whine because they’re not sure if they’re local paper is gonna be around the next year.” Looser!!
Ooops – LOOSERSSS!!! Boo Hoo…!!
Only a LOSER spells LOSER “LOOSER”
ReddJonn68
July 9th, 2010
10:56 am
Just a thought, if Miami doesn’t win a ring next year will Erik Spoelstra be to blame or Lebron ???? I’m just saying
mr bobby's gotta go
July 9th, 2010
10:56 am
good post bigeasy830. im right wit cha!
Timmy
July 9th, 2010
10:57 am
After LeJoke chokes again with the Heat, he’s going to have his “team” confiscate the tapes from ABC/ESPN.
Timmy
July 9th, 2010
10:57 am
Spoelstra will be fired after LeJoke chokes.
N
July 9th, 2010
10:59 am
Mo Williams 16ppg, 5apg, Jamison 19ppg, Shaq 12ppg.
J-Smoove
July 9th, 2010
11:01 am
I can’t believe all the hate LeBron is getting on his “decision”. I agree that the 1 hour special on ESPN and the way he went about this was a bit over the top, but at the end of the day the guy just wants to win championships. I don’t blame him for leaving a city like Cleveland to go to Miami…. that’s a no brainer! I wish he would have picked Chicago, because I feel like he would mesh really well with Rose, Noah, and Boozer. The Heat are going to be ridiculous this year… MB, they could sign you and DOB to fill out the starting 5 and they would still win 60 games. I wish LeBron all the best and I can’t wait to see this team play next year! GO HAWKS!!!!!!
deb
July 9th, 2010
11:03 am
Mark, you wrote my feelings exactly.
jamin
July 9th, 2010
11:04 am
Lebron wanted to win. He made a 60 win team out of subpar players and he singlehandedly took them to the championship series a few years back. The Spurs, Lakers, and Bulls had great coaching. Popovich and Jackson. Duncan had Manu and Parker. Kobe had shaq and company and now he has Pau, Odom, and Artest which are all great pieces. Who did he have in Clevland? Yes Lebron could’ve gone to chicago it would make perfect sense. He saw Miami as his best chance to win and he took it. Sure there are questions about the coaching and the pieces that will be put around him. Thre are always questions. Lebron has now 2 of the five best players in the NBA with him for the next five years while D. Rose will probably leave when his rookie deal is up which would be a huge blow to the team. I’m a huge Hawks fan but I will enjoy watching this team.
Melky way
July 9th, 2010
11:09 am
frank james you are a loser give the man a break he gave 7 years to the crummy cleveland he owes them nothing.He will win a title or two and Clevland will win none.quit hateing on the man its a free country for crying out loud.The owner of Clevsland should be ashamed of him self saying those things about LJ. he is a creep.
Smart Move
July 9th, 2010
11:10 am
If LBJ ever questioned his decision, he knows now that he made the right one. The owner of the Cavs let him know exactly how he felt about him the whole time. LBJ was only good for him as long as he brought his franchise from $222 mil to $476 mil net worth. Also keep in mind that he took attendance from dead last to 2nd in the NBA.
I figure Master Gilbert is really upset that his prize buck (slave) decided to leave his plantation, and not make master all the money he had become accustomed to.
GIVE ME A BREAK
July 9th, 2010
11:13 am
No character. He would have been respected more if he had stayed in Cleveland and won no rings than he will be if he wins rings in Miami. He’s still a loser and a coward. I think the Celtics and Lakers will take care of this.
Tech First
July 9th, 2010
11:15 am
LBJ GAVE THE CAVS 7 YEARS TO GET IT RIGHT NAME THE BEST PLAYER HE HAS PLAYED WITH IN CLEVELAND IN 7 YRS A YOUNG BOOZER DREW GOODEN B FOR REAL HE MADE THE BEST WINNING MOVE PAT RILEY IS STILL THE DON DAN GILBERT IS THE WORST OWNER IN THE LEAGUE BYRON SCOTT IS IN YR ONE WHAT HAVE THE CAVS DON TO IMPROVE THE TEAM NOTHIN THE CAVS WONT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THE ONLY REASON THE CAVS R RELAVENT IS BECAUSE OF LEBRON THE CAVS SUCK GO MIAMI THE HAWKS SUCK JOE GOT 20-30MILLION MORE THAN WADE OR LEBRON AND WE STILL DO NOT HAVE A CENTER RILEY WADE JAMES BOSH KNOW BASKETBALL NOW THEY’LL KNOW WHAT RINGS FEEL LIKE
jamin
July 9th, 2010
11:15 am
i agree smart move
dtruth
July 9th, 2010
11:16 am
I see people hating on the man. He had options many of us dream about and did what he thought was in the best interest for him. He is 25 years old and still learning. I applaud him doing what he wants, not what the pundants, old NBA players, or anyone else want. Live your live as holier than thou and let him live his. He has put in the work to get where he is and you have or not put in yours to get where you are. Get over it!
Free Lebron James
July 9th, 2010
11:17 am
Who’s to say Lebron wants to be the only scorer on a team? How long can you last in a game carrying everyone on your back….
Ya’ll are funny… that’s why atlanta sucks… we want to put the team on one player (ala Joe Johnson & Mike Vick)
heck
July 9th, 2010
11:17 am
Mark – isn’t a bit childish to want Miami to lose because of this? I don’t see how that would right the world – I just want to see great basketball – and it it works out in Miami then we probably will. If it doesn’t – well it doesn’t and the world will keep spinning…
jamin
July 9th, 2010
11:18 am
Mark,
Have you hear anything else about the big aristotle coming to Atl?
Jerry.....
July 9th, 2010
11:19 am
If you feel this way, Bradley, then what do you have to say about the United States for putting the very same guys on a team to go and compete for the Olympics? And who cares how others might feel about Lebron. What about how Lebron feels about Lebron? Should he have stayed in Cleveland and be unhappy. Oh, and then given Cleveland the opportunity to FIRE/TRADE him at their leisure. This is a business, and this time the small business DUPED the big business of the CAVS by finding a loophole in the NBA’s Free Agent system.
dstdeelite
July 9th, 2010
11:20 am
Bottom line: Cavs owner was out of line. Let’s be clear. I despise LBJ, but I must call it like I see it. Everything that he glorified and praised while LeBron wore a Cavs jersey is the same things he mocks in his letter. It was not professional at all. LeBron played his heart out for that man and that city for 7 years (except Game 5 and 6 against the Celtics). It’s so funny how the same people that rode his jock over the last few seasons are now calling him a traitor. Make no mistake about it, I think the Cavs tried with all their might to make moves to satisfy LeBron. In the end, it didn’t work out. Whether it’s because the pieces were never good enough or if LBJ wasn’t good enough or if Mike Brown wasn’t good enough, they just didn’t get it done together. I do think that LeBron should have skipped the public service announcment. It was the ultimate slap in the face to Cleveland, but Gilbert’s response is way out of line. Now that LJB is in our division (Southeast), I will hate him even more. GO Hawks!!
Timmy
July 9th, 2010
11:21 am
This is good for one team and bad for 29. Watching the Heat pound overmatched teams that don’t even have one superstar is not “great basketball”.
BlackMoses
July 9th, 2010
11:23 am
Thanks Mark…..you spew venom at Lebron for his decision yet make no comments about the classless statements made by Dan Gilbert. I think Lebron did the right thing in leaving that team. Chicago would have been a nice fit, but the Heat will start collecting lots of jewelry over the next 5 years.
Raybud
July 9th, 2010
11:24 am
I browsed over most of the bloggers out there and I must say this has got to be one of the biggest moments in sports history. If you listen to most of the commentators, fans, or just plain haters, you would think this was Stars Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. People could possibly view this as the moment Annakin went to the dark side and became Darth Vader. Me, personally, it speaks out in volumes. LeBron could have easily taken the money, and still would be winless in Cleveland. I mean, think about it. Two straight years, the Cavs had the best record in the NBA. Two straight years, they didn’t even reach the NBA Finals. If you are winning, you don’t get rid of your winning formula. Mike Brown was coach of the year a year ago and now he’s jobless. Danny Ferry did what he could to put together a squad, but Jamison and Shaq are old. If you really believe that they are the missing pieces to a championship team, then you are mistaken. As talented as Mo Williams is, he is not the answer. Cleveland never landed a “blockbuster deal” to get LeBron the help he deserves. Remember the the Memphis/LA trade, you know, Pau Gasol for some shoulder pads, mops, and jockstraps. People say it’s ego driven….well, how is that? Lebron is the best player in the NBA today, hands down. Yet he left “his” team to go and join D-Wade and Bosh. He wants titles and he wants them now. The crazy part about all of this is that he left Cleveland for LESS MONEY! So when i hear the word “betrayal”, I would like to ask those out there, how? He gave cleveland 7 good years. He kept his nose clean and wasn’t like one of old beloved ones (Vick) messing around out there in the streets. He didn’t go around complaining about the organization or demand a trade like some other superstars have done. Yet, he has just became the 2nd most hated person in Cleveland, behind Art Modell. If I were Cleveland fans, I would worry if history would repeat itself. What do I mean by that? When Art Modell left, I believe his “Baltimore Ravens” went on to win a championship….just food for thought.
Billy Peeler
July 9th, 2010
11:25 am
I’m certainly not a fan of Lebron James, but a player shouldn’t be blamed for going to a team that he thinks is a better situation for him, however he judges that. We’ve seen many players choose teams solely by total dollar amount before. Can’t blame LeBron for going where he WANTS to go, for whatever reason.
I’m not sure this superstar trio is really going to work. Bosh is a power forward, but both Wade and James are used to having the ball most of the time. The Lakers had three superstars back in the early 70’s in Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor…and they were a good team…went to the finals three straight years…but lost every time. They didn’t win a championship till they replaced Elgin Baylor with Jim McMillian…and even then, Wilt had changed his game to become primarily a defender/rebounder instead of a scorer who demanded the ball all the time.
You can win a lot with just pure talent…but you can have so MUCH talent that it hurts team chemistry. There are only so many “touches” available, and I wonder if someone (maybe Wade?) might end up being unhappy in this new mix.
phoenix falcon
July 9th, 2010
11:25 am
Staying in Cleveland for loyalty is the dumbest thing I ever heard. Would you stay at the same company for loyalty when you know you might reach greater heights somewhere else?
Melky way
July 9th, 2010
11:26 am
Like the new show on TVLand HOT IN CLEVELAND .the people in Ohio are Hot in Cleveland.LOL
Hunter
July 9th, 2010
11:26 am
Check out this prediction article about the Eastern Conference next year — http://bleacherreport.com/articles/417854-look-into-the-crystal-ballthe-2010-2011-eastern-conference-standings
phoenix falcon
July 9th, 2010
11:27 am
Hmmmmm Cleveland or Miami????????
is it REALLY that hard of a choice?
Simpdawg
July 9th, 2010
11:31 am
bigeasy830,
My point is this. You can’t compare LeBron with Magic, Larry, Kobe, Tim or Michael and I’ll tell you why. When you’re a franchise player (Superstar), you bring players to your team. You don’t run to another franchise player team. LeBron James is a two time league MVP and his team had the best record in the regular season for the past two seasons. When Michael, Larry, Kobe, Tim and Magic won their MVP award, they didn’t leave their teams to pair up with another superstar player to try to win a championship, especially when they were in their prime. If you suppose to be the best player in the league, why can’t you bring good players to you? By the way all those supporting players you talked about; Pippen, Kareem, McHale and Robinson. These players were drafted, acquired in the draft or already playing together and guess what, the superstar players made the supporting cast players better. So F@#$ LeBron.
phoenix falcon
July 9th, 2010
11:32 am
Mark, i thought you were better then this……
ACE
July 9th, 2010
11:34 am
TECH FIRST-Atlanta may not have a center, but does Miami? Who is going to run the point?
There is still a lot of work to be done before these guys are “Champions”
Raybud
July 9th, 2010
11:37 am
And as for the owner, wow, how classless? Everyone said that LeBron showed his true colors. I think that the owner and the city of Cleveland showed their true colors. I mean, was the burning of his jersey really necessary. Were the comments the owner made necessary? It almost sounds like a couple who just broke up and one can’t get over the fact that the other one has left. And how many people out there really believe cleveland will win a ring before miami will? Lebron didn’t have enough help. That’s why he left, it’s not an act of betrayal. Just in case any of the fans or owner knew, Lebron James was a Free Agent, meaning he could choose any of the 30 NBA teams to play for. Now, I’m thinking that there must be something going on in the upper managemnt/ownership. The crazy part about this is that Toronto was willing to do a sign and trade with Cleveland, but Bosh didn’t want to go there. Why? Now everyone will say that they were in cohorts with each other. I’m surprise no one yelled out the word “tampering” in this blog. But at the end of the day, he went to Miami for less more and the chance to win rings. How can you honestly be upset about that?
ACE
July 9th, 2010
11:38 am
Simpdawg-You are the man, unfortunately nobody in here will listen to logic. They just want to race bait, and talk ish.
Greensboro, GA
July 9th, 2010
11:39 am
————————————–
……Nesbitt for Heisman……
————————————–
ACE
July 9th, 2010
11:40 am
The only way to describe how he handled this situation is “Classless”
Q
July 9th, 2010
11:43 am
Lebron dropped a notch or two in my book…
He just showed that he is not a leader. He will never be able to say that he took his team to championships and won because it will never be ‘his’ team. With all of his abilities, he just proved that he doesn’t have enough belief in himself to direct and lead his own team to victory.
No matter how many championships he wins with Miami, he will always have to share the greatness with other HOFers. That’s a sad legacy for someone with so much talent. He doesn’t ever have to worry about ever being compared to Kobe or MJ again.
It was an immature decision on his part. As he said last night, it’s all about winning championships….legacy be darned!!!
phoenix falcon
July 9th, 2010
11:44 am
@Simpdawg
i don’t get it. Kobe played with a hall of famer , now he’s playing with another one. same with magic, same with bird, Jordan, and Tim. who ever hates on Lebron for going somewhere where he can win a ring, you have some deep seeded issues, point blank, Cle was NEVER going to get the right people around him to win a ring. Did you also hate on Garnett and ray Allen? what about the glove and Malone when they went to the Lakers?
sasha
July 9th, 2010
11:45 am
Labron is 25yrs.old. I feel the owner os the calvs should be punished for his words and behavior. he made Labron seem like his slave. Labron has made him richer than God… I think he is upset because his earnings will be lost
ReddJonn68
July 9th, 2010
11:46 am
In all fairness Bradley you are way out of line with this one. Just like ESPN, there is no journalistic integrity here, its just basketball. And I don’t see you writing with the same fervor when it comes to our lowly Hawks !!!!!
phoenix falcon
July 9th, 2010
11:47 am
@ACE
oh yeah, let’s not forget he raised close to 3 million for the boys and girls club with that ” classless ” act last night. i forget, tell me how much money have you donated to anybody? how many rings do you have?
ego Maniac
July 9th, 2010
11:48 am
From Cleveland nice,
_________________ to Miami VICE.
Raybud
July 9th, 2010
11:48 am
@Simpdawg…I like your comments. I did want LeBron to stay in cleveland to build his legacy. But do you remember the other great duo during the Jordan/Pippen era? I’m talking about Malone/Stockton. How many rings did they win? And the sad part is that they were “loyal” to Utah. Jerry Sloan is the best NBA Coach in the league to not to have won a ring yet. If Malone/Stockton had left early to another team, do you think they would have won one. I mean Malone went to the Lakers…he just should have went a couple of years before. The pieces that surrounded LeBron, do you think that was enough to win cleveland a title. I mean, if they brought Shaq in when he was drafted, Cleveland would have a title by now. I honestly think it speaks volume when you leave your previous team for less money and the shot of winning a title. Even KG himself said that loyalty can be a downfall and look at how many years he stayed in Minnesota and he played his heart out for the city.