Not since the Summer of George has an off-season been met with so much anticipation. LeBron James’ pending free agency has been the topic of debate since the beginning of the 2007-2008 season, and the subject of much planning in the New York Knicks’ front office ever since finally getting rid of Isaiah Thomas.
LeBron should stay in Cleveland. He’s the hometown hero, the second coming of Jordan, he could end a 46-year professional sports’ title drought in a city mainly known for having their football fans dress up like basset hounds.
But James won’t, and I’ll contradict myself, he shouldn’t. Not after the Cavaliers’ fans bitterly turned on him and his team in that horrid Game 5 loss to a rejuvenated and simply put, more talented Celtics team. With the hopes of a city squarely on his shoulders, and the future of professional basketball in the balance, Cleveland effectively murdered any shot of having James have any thought of goodwill, and not opt for free-agency to greener pastures in New York, Chicago, Dallas or Miami.
James gave one of the league’s most tortured cities (think Shawn Kemp) seven brilliant seasons and not only made them relevant, but title contenders. Their reward to him? Boos, have fun with Jake Delhomme being your most recognizable athlete now.