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#Post#: 4--------------------------------------------------
Should LeBron's Legacy Take a hit for "The Decision"
DIR By: Taylor Gang
Date: March 7, 2013, 5:48 pm
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In the NBA, superstars are and always have been drafted often to
small-market teams that desperately need help. That has always
been the case, and likely always will be the case, but one key
area of the process has changed; superstars are forcing their
way out of franchises. Players in the NBA used to stay loyal to
their teams and grind it out, and if they didn’t, not only was
it taboo but their legacies took a hit. Let’s take a look at the
circumstances for the players who have forced their way out of
their team, and if their legacy should take a hit.
LeBron James
The most famous case of a player leaving his team, his
“Decision,” (which was aired live on TV) has also been the most
controversial. Back in July of 2010, LeBron James was a
free-agent for the first time in his career. It’s rare that the
consensus best player in any sport hits the open market, but
it’s even more of a rarity in the NBA. LeBron’s infamous
decision, which has it’s own Wikipedia page, took everyone by
surprise, including Cavaliers management. James’ reputation took
a hit not only for switching teams, but how he embarrassed the
only franchise he had called his own on national TV, spurned
the city where he grew up in and didn’t have the courtesy to
infrom the Cavaliers of his decision beforehand. Many will point
to charity as a valid reason to put the decision on national TV,
but the donations to charity would not have been any less if he
would have simply told Dan Gilbert and saved all NBA fans
Gilbert’s ensuing rant. Claiming that the Heat could win “Not
Seven” titles at a Miami Heat pep rally before ever practicing
with his friends on the court. One could argue that he was just
pumping up the team, but James explicitly stated, “I’m not just
blowing smoke.”
LeBron James left Ohio for multiple reasons, including playing
with his friends, playing on the coast in one of the best cities
and for low taxes. But no matter however you look at it, James
left to win titles, and in my opinion he cheated the system.
When LeBron James won the NBA title last season in a lockout
shortened season, it should come with a grain of salt. Despite
what DeShawn Stevenson may think, I don’t believe having a
shorter season should take away from James’ accomplishment. I do
however think that teaming up with a superstar and a perennial
All-Star takes away from the likes of those who gritted through
their situations. In the past, if a player of LeBron’s status
swapped teams via free-agency (let alone on national television)
players would attack this player, both on and off the court. If
LeBron James were to switch teams later in his career, I, and
many others would have no problem with this decision.Sure,
players like Scottie Pippen changed teams multiple times
throughout his career, but Pippen was never considered the best
player in the league, and it was after he had accomplished a
three-peat, while LeBron hadn’t ever won a championship game at
that point in his career (and was 0-1 in the Finals, in which
they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs). Even the great
Michael Jordan switched teams, but his legacy remains unchanged
because of two main reasons.
1. Michael Jordan’s rankings All-Time were already set in stone,
and he had already won 6 more championships than LeBron had when
he made his decision
2. Michael Jordan was part of the Washington Wizards management
when he decided to come out of retirement and play for the
Wizards.
Cleveland, through no fault of their own, was not able to retain
the services of ”The Chosen One.” If LeBron James was not
getting any help, LeBron James would have my permission to leave
as soon as he had the chance. However, James was surrounded by
teammates that gave their all to James, a franchise that did it
all to accommodate him and fans that loved him. Throughout the
years, “King James” played with Shaquille O’Neal, Antwan
Jamison, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Shannon Brown other acquisitions
throughout the years to try to help LeBron James win. The Cavs
could not only offer James as much money as any other team, but
they could likely obtain another “helper” to help guide James to
his first ring. While none of the aforementioned players brought
in to help James bring the excitement of playing with Chris Bosh
and Dwyane Wade, they are complimentary players that should have
been enough for someone who had expectations were to be the next
coming of Michael Jordan straight out of high-school.
While LeBron James was just doing what he thought fans would
embrace (doing whatever it takes to win), James could have taken
a few precautionary steps before booting his franchise. The
whole situation wouldn’t have been blown out of proportion if
James was considerate, but no matter how considerate James was,
he would still be a ring chaser in my opinion. Staying with the
Cavs would have been a harder challenge, and the total number of
championships may have been downgraded by sticking with his
team, his legacy would still be boosted. James would be
remembered as the player who stuck it out through the thick in
thin, and as the player who was loyal to his city, fans and
organization
#Post#: 7--------------------------------------------------
Re: Should LeBron's Legacy Take a hit for "The
Decision"
DIR By: CantStopLeBronJames
Date: March 7, 2013, 7:17 pm
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No. He'll be remembered as a great basketball player, not as
Cleveland's slave
#Post#: 10--------------------------------------------------
Re: Should LeBron's Legacy Take a hit for "The
Decision"
DIR By: Dimes
Date: March 7, 2013, 7:59 pm
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--- Quote from: CantStopLeBronJames link ---
>
> No. He'll be remembered as a great basketball player, not as
Cleveland's slave
>
--- End Quote ---
Lol biased heat fan. Yes he'll be remembered slightly worse, but
it's not that big of a deal
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