OPINION: James’ departure disappointing, but predictable and reasonable

by Mike Holzheimer

The announcement or “decision” may be the same but the overall feelings having learned LeBron James chose to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time in his playing career, somehow just doesn’t have the painful sting it did before.

James made it official that he is leaving the Cavs to sign a four-year, $154 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Privately, many saw the writing on the wall, if you will, long before this past weekend arrived on the calendar.

Reports were that James had narrowed the field down to Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Cleveland as to where he would reside for the 2018-19 season. After vacationing with his family, James landed in Los Angeles where his representatives were scheduled to meet with personnel from both the 76ers and the Lakers. James did discuss his options with the Cavaliers front office  but realistically, Cleveland was going to finish third in this free agency race.

It was also reported that prior to boarding a plane with his wife for a separate vacation minus the kids, James told his people three words: “Call the Lakers.” And with that, the player who both put the Cleveland Cavaliers back on the NBA map, and who brought Cleveland its first professional basketball championship and its first pro sports title in over 50 years, was on his way out the doors of Quicken Loans Arena again-this time, probably for good.

But as yours truly indicated in a previous story, James’ move this time is all about accepting and conquering another challenge, one that would perfectly close the book on his storied career. It’s really that simple folks, James plays for championships and he relishes a challenge.

His first professional challenge was getting to a point where he could call himself a NBA champion. That was accomplished, painfully according to bitter Cleveland fans, by going to Miami and surrounding himself with players who could win a title. James won a pair of championships and took the Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals.

His second challenge was all about coming home to Cleveland and giving the city what it never had; an NBA championship. James promised as much in that famous letter he sent to Sports Illustrated telling the world he was coming home. It was the ultimate of challenges to get Cleveland pro sports a championship, but he delivered. James subsequently took the Cavaliers to two more Finals (four consecutive overall upon his return) knocking on the door to perhaps add more titles to the rafters of the “Q.” But there just wasn’t enough help by way of a supporting cast and Golden State managed to take back twice what they originally won from Cleveland in 2015.

With Kyrie Irving traded to Boston, a move that really did not sit well with the King, James lost his talented running mate, and any chance of overtaking the Warriors for a second and/or third time. The sentiment is that James, with the way the Cavs are constructed right now, would struggle to return to the Finals, while advancing deep into the Eastern Conference rounds might have been a stretch as well.

James wouldn’t do well sitting at home during the postseason, and he took a path that should guarantee him playing more playoff games. He may not actually see a NBA championship trophy with the Lakers next season, but he is gearing towards that for the future.

And that leads us to James’ third and probably final challenge of his career. This phenomenal athlete has done everything there is to do regarding the NBA. His championships, record-breaking trips to the Finals, MVP awards, All-Star game MVPs and all-defensive team selections are cemented forever. I mean you name it, he’s done it. He will certainly be a first ballot Hall of Famer when his career is officially over. Financially, this was never about money-obviously. So why leave Cleveland again?

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NEOSI Staff