One man held the entire world, well, just a few cities in America hostage for a few brief minutes to announce his “decision” on where he would play for the next 5-6 years.  I for one don’t hold LeBron James in high regards.  Yes he is a great player, but this whole free agency fiasco has put him in bad company.  It was also incredibly selfish to announce on national television your choice, but as I’ve come to that conclusion, can I really blame him?

I mean, who am I to say what he should and what’s best for him?  It was his decision and his alone.  He will have to live with it for the rest of his life.  Yes, deciding on playing for the Miami Heat was a tough decision, but was it really?  Did we really know LeBron the athlete?  Did he already make up his mind sooner than we thought?  What does loyalty really mean this day and age?  You have to ask those questions and honestly answer them before you can cast judgment on his choice.

LeBron was not and is not the athlete we though he was.  We assume that in the individual sport that basketball is that these guys want all the glory for themselves.  A recent example points to Kobe Bryant.  Kobe wanted Shaquille O’Neal out of town so he could “win on his own.”  Kobe got his wish and it was awful in the beginning.  Only then did Kobe realize that he needed to have a talented roster around him, plus his old coach (Phil Jackson) back to win more championships.

LeBron essentially has come to the same conclusion.  I need a talented roster around me to win a championship.  For those demeaning him for leaving for a championship are going on a double standard.  Isn’t that what you want these guys to play for?  Not fame or money, but the hardware.  He is not a one of a kind athlete in the sense of his reasoning behind going to Miami.  He made this choice for basketball reasons.  Is that too much to accept?

Sure, he probably made up his mind a long time ago to leave Cleveland.  Not shaking the hands of the Orlando Magic after Cleveland had lost in the Eastern Conference Finals.  That was frustration for what was a good roster during the regular season for Cleveland that turned into an average one during the playoffs.  LeBron had everything on his shoulders and it was too much to bare.  He should have shaken hands, but his mind was on his future in Cleveland.

Did he mail it in during the semifinals this past season against Boston?  Maybe.  Cleveland was up 2 games to 1 in the series, but when Boston responded after their worst home loss in playoff history in Game 3, it appeared Cleveland was starting to unravel.  LeBron, in my estimation, potentially gave up in Game 5.  In a 120-88 beatdown in Cleveland, LeBron had 15 points on 3-14 shooting.  Nine of his points came from the foul line.  Not the typical stat line you had expected from your MVP. 

Who says that LeBron has to stay in Cleveland?  Cavaliers fans, the owner, certain pundits and analysts.  His words today say as much about him as anything he’s done on the basketball court.

His biggest factor in his choice to leave Cleveland was wanting to win.  Who had the best chance of winning right away?  We all assumed Chicago or even Cleveland.  Chicago had a proven point guard and Cleveland won 60 plus games the last two seasons with the roster they had, LeBron included of course.  Miami getting commitments from Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh the day before LeBron was to decide certainly had an impact at the last minute for him.  Miami was now the favorite.  Win with proven talent or continue to struggle with what you’ve already struggled with?

He puts the team concept before individuality all day long.  When you look at his stats and his overall game, yes it’s true.  He is this generations Magic Johnson.  No one thought we would see this type of player again.  For so long, folks would criticize him for passing the ball when he could have taken the last shot.  If a guy is open, and two defenders are on you, preventing you from taking the last shot, why not pass the ball to the open man?  Yes, he has passed on a few, but he has put the team ahead of himself so many times.

He made an excellent point in that it’s a business and the Cavaliers could have traded him at some point down the road.  Yes, that is definitely true.  Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert’s reaction is typical, but rare that he would demean someone to the level of calling them “cowardly, disloyal and heartless” is a bit much.

Here is the link to Dan Gilbert’s open letter: http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

I was a bit perplexed.  Coming to the realization that LeBron wants to win I have to wonder, what was the pitch Dan Gilbert made to LeBron?  The Antawn Jamison experiment is not going to work.  Bringing Shaquille O’Neal didn’t help.  Mo Williams is no longer the answer.  Where was Cleveland’s next move?  Was LeBron supposed to continue to struggle with what he’s already struggled with?

Ultimately my mother wanted me to do what makes me happy.  I’m paraphrasing.  That is what helped him to make the move to Miami.  Family first and everything else second.  Cleveland does lose big time, but can they really blame LeBron?  Is there really anyone to blame?  LeBron made up his mind to win now.  Does Cleveland offer that now?  History says no.  Is Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers fans reaction understandable?  Yes, but understand that the NBA is a business first and no longer a sport.  It’s hard to think he was going to stay in Cleveland forever.

What we have failed to realize is that one man has proven to us all what we have always believed.  An athletes ultimate goal is to win as many titles during their career.  LeBron James wants to win probably as much if not more than any other athlete in any sport.  LeBron knew what he wanted.  It’s time we stopped saying we know what’s best for athletes.