LBJ: Where Do We Go From Here?

LBJ: Where Do We Go From Here?




Now that the Lebron James sweepstakes is unofficially open, everyone and their brother seems to want the King to move his court to their town. Obviously, not every team has the budget to offer him a max contract, and he is most motivated by money. Let us keep in mind his desires to be marketable around the world, and become the richest athlete in the world. He has that level of ambition. Basketball may be his way to get there. So lets just start looking at the most likely scenarios.



The Knicks: Everyone has been talking about this for a couple of years now. The Knicks were clearing salary cap to pick him up. Besides it being New York, I don’t know how Lebron could expect to win any easier here. They need to address too many holes in their roster for LBJ to win immediately. The one reason he goes to New York is if he gets opportunities to expand his marketing and general monetary goals. The Yankees have their own network, could the Knicks help him get his own?



The Nets: New Jersey is close enough to NY right? The Nets may own the No.1 pick in the draft in June, and already have a more coherent roster than the Knicks. They do not have a coach yet, so they could get whoever LBJ wanted. A new owner could make a huge splash. Remember what I said about marketing to the world? Yi Jianlian is followed pretty closely by the largest country in the planet, and the new owner of the Nets, yeah he’s one of the richest guys in Russia. International opportunity anyone? You could put together a decent starting 5 without the No. 1 pick. Certainly more likely than the Knicks.



The Bulls: Is there any doubt that Lebron, who idolizes MJ, grew up dreaming of playing for the Bulls? What the Bulls offer is a strong team that has the opportunity get over the top. Derrik Rose is already a leader on this team, and can shoulder some of that weight with LBJ. Noah would assume the role of hard working center, and Luol Deng makes a nice second-scorer role. Again a team that can hire any coach James wants, puts Chicago into serious contention. I just can’t help but wonder if the Bulls would be just as well served to go after maybe Ray Allen and Josh Smith, and fill two holes. I don’t know if a boyhood dream and a decent chance to win with a current roster make it viable enough.



The Clippers: LA lite. They have some quality players, but something always seems to stop them. I don’t know If Barron Davis could co-exist with James, but if they could, it might be the veteran presence James needs. They will already be adding Blake Griffin to the mix, but I think there are too many unknown variables to make this a likely landing spot.



The Heat: Let’s face it, the likelihood of Miami ponying up the dough for D-Wade and LBJ is kind of ridiculous. Would it be interesting to watch? You bet. They shared the stage in the Olympics, but for 82 games? Do you know how many defenders would foul out each game trying to stop them both? But can two people do everything for the team? Sure they have decent point guard play, and when your job is the get the ball over mid-court and pass the ball to D-Wade or LBJ, it’s a pretty easy job. I just worry there would be too much perimeter play. If Miami is going to get two max contracts this year, one of them really should be Bosh.



Less than improbable: From a fantast point of view, what teams would instantly become a contender? Out of left field, I’d say Minnesota. Ricky Rubio will be in the next flight following a James signing, and they have quality interior play from Al Jefferson. That could be a well balanced team that could play inside out with some stars in their prime.



Hornets: Chris Paul would be an amazing match for James. Paul offers a strong defensive presence, and great ball skills, LBJ would be greatly enhanced with that level of point guard. Okafor provides some interior offense, and overall this team could be a machine.



Utah: Pretend for a minute that the Jazz actually get upset by things like getting eliminated by the Lakers every year and want to finally win. Deron Williams would finally benefit from a true scorer on the wing, with Boozer and Milsap scoring inside. Obviously something would have to give, probably Boozer, but it could be the new Stockton – Malone.



Houston: Yao Ming’s marketability could be alluring. A Defensive-minded team with a highly under-rated back court. Maybe he could fulfill the promise Tracy Mcgrady offered Houston.



Philly: Andre Iguaduala and Elton Brand never seemed to mesh, but what if Lebron was between the two of them? If they could ditch Dalembert and pick up someone that could crash the boards, this could be a team to fear.



Outside the Box: What if Lebron signed on with a highly established team such as the Lakers, Magic, Celtics, Spurs, with a one year deal just to try and win a championship, and then go out and find his money after that? Sign with the Celtics on a one-year deal, with the promise of taking over the reigns from Pierce. Now that would be a scary team.



Yeah, the one team I didn’t mention: Cleveland. How could they upgrade enough to win a championship? How could they pay him enough to make up for being such a small market? The number changing thing was just to scare the potential teams into doing more.