And again, it’s simple. The Cavs were in no position to attract free agents the likes of which James would want, and ones he could play with and win titles with. In Los Angeles, the Lakers have that cap room and although they may not acquire the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard this year, they could do so the following year when Leonard is an official free agent.
James appears to be patient to run with the current Lakers, and simply add those key free agent pieces to the puzzle two or three years from now, the duration of his contract. When he met with former Laker great and current head of basketball operations in one Earvin “Magic” Johnson, James made it clear he knew the situation in Los Angeles, and he liked what Johnson was putting together and understood that, as James put it, this is a “long term” situation.
It is becoming more obvious that James would like to give the Laker fans that which they were so accustomed to winning but have not experienced it in quite some time– another NBA championship. Can you imagine, when it happens, and don’t believe it won’t with James steering the ship, the fulfillment he will have when he is standing alongside the great Johnson and they are both holding up the NBA championship trophy amidst all the confetti falling from the ceiling of the Staples Center? It will give James his fourth title, and it will allow him to have conquered that final challenge of his career– that to help resurrect the once proud Laker franchise and get them back to their championship ways.
And that, folks, should be (but who really knows, though, with James?) the final chapter written in the LeBron James history book.
I agree with many local writers that James earned the right to make this move at this stage of his career. He doesn’t owe Cleveland anything, he owes it to himself and his family to do what feels right.
But as far as what is owed, one can hardly argue that the kid from Akron St. Vincent-St Mary High School, who grew to be a man and one of the greatest professional athletes Cleveland has ever seen, has picked up the check on numerous occasions.
Your bill has been paid in full Cleveland, and just like the player who gave your city its fondest of sports memories, it’s time to move on.
Recent Comments