by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
For the world’s most prized basketball player, and a handful of NBA franchises, it comes down to a bizarre, strangely orchestrated, 1-hour live television special tonight.
A few minutes past 9pm, LeBron James will look into ESPN‘s cameras, and announce what the future holds for him and some lucky team.
According to several published reports, said lucky team — for now, anyway — appears to be the Miami Heat.
Newsday was the first media outlet to break the story late last night, which was quickly followed up by similar reports from ESPN, the Plain Dealer and Yahoo!:
All indications are that LeBron James is leaning toward signing with the Miami Heat on Thursday night, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation. Barring a late change of heart, sources say James has decided to join fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form a potential NBA powerhouse.
Chris Paul, one of James’ best friends, has urged him to stay in Cleveland and let new Cavaliers coach Byron Scott coach him, according to sources. With such strong sentiment around him to not go to Miami, it’s possible James could alter his decision. James’ family and friends are divided over his decision to play in Miami, according to sources. Opinions range from understanding his desire to play with All-Star teammates, to feeling he is selling himself short by joining Wade’s team, to concerns that playing on such a power-packed squad will hurt his brand even if he wins championships.
James worked hard to help the Cavaliers improve their roster, sources said. He tried to sell Bosh on the idea of going to Cleveland, but the 6-foot-11 forward was adamant he did not want to play in northeast Ohio. While sources close to James insist his heart is in Cleveland and remaining with the Cavaliers was his preferred choice, they say he had concerns about signing a six-year deal there and ending up “31 years old, with bad knees and no title.”
Of course, nothing will truly be known until tonight’s event. We’ll all have to tune in to find out what “The Decision” is.
For the time being, however, it appears that the NBA may be on the verge of adding its latest powerhouse, down on South Beach.
UPDATE: Well, ‘Bron Bron ultimately chose to play with Wade, Bosh and 9 other random dudes in Miami. Should be a hell of a season next year. Much more on this tomorrow, obviously.
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Since there’s going to be so many comments – wasup everybody! Hola if you hear me! Reppin London via New Zealand!
He is joining New Jersey.
I agree with all said above, there will probably always be an asterix even if the Heat do win.
I dunno if Shaq would go back to Miami either, didnt get on well with Riles at the end did he?
He needed 2 more superstars to win because he just quit on the playoffs.
He needs to prove he’s the man in other teams.
This is like buying your rings at a pawn shop.
it doesn’t feel the same.
Yes I will watch them of course but it is not the same!!!
It will be interesting to see which one of the Big Three complains about his role first.
Except when they play the lakers then I’ll watch.
I think this is is bad for the NBA!
Not caring about other teams.
One day we humiliate The King for his perceived LACK of commitment to winning
The next day, we crucify The King for his perceived overcommitment to winning.
I don’t know how the casual fan will view this, but LeBron definitely drops down a couple pegs in my books if he does this.
Did he give up in game 5 against the Celtics? yeah, a little. If he does THIS, that’s the ultimate waving of the white flag.
Dude thought he’d have a ring by now. Thought it was easier than this. It wasn’t. Now, he’s looking for that easier road…in Miami.
The King is performing for the audience like kings sometimes do. We as The People, ARE delighted and in awe, for we have never witnessed such an event unfold in such a manner in which The King is orchestrating.
Future players are going to use this stage in this manner, such as someone alluded to earlier.
LeBron is the best in the world. Not Kobe. Not D. Wade. Not anyone. LEBRON. Period.
You are a learned individual. So you must know that members of the populous with peasant mentality will willfully AND vigorously try to argue every moot point, and futilely try to discredit your brilliant question.
What about Bird, McHale, Parish?
Goes to CLE: He’s not ambitious, he just wants to stay comfortable. Big fish, small pond. He’ll never win.
Goes to CHI: He’ll never be MJ.
Goes to MIA: He’s a pussy.
Goes to NJ: He’s all about the russian $, he’s d-ckriding Jay-Z.
Goes to Clips: He’s on drugs.
Yes I have a Bulls bias but they are the better fit for Lebron to win now. The combo of the “Dream Team” Wade Bosh and Lebron would not work because wade and Lebron would need the ball to much and whatever happened to bosh wanting to be centerpiece of the team. He is clearly second choice right now and would be 3rd choice with Lebron coming.
And sure Lebron would average a triple double ith Dantoni but Lebron could average a triple double aneywhere else as well.
And the Nets look nice but lets not forget that they did only win 12 games and find ways to lose games just like the knicks.
And with the bulls you clearly have it all a young superstar pg who isnt afraid to share the ball or take over the game if needed, a rising center, an allstar in boozer who can take it in the hole and releive lebron of some pressure when he drives in, gibson who is on his way to becoming the next boozer and deng who is a bit overrated but can knock down that jumpshot when wide open-which he will be if lebron comes.
don’t know him
i only know nostradamus hahaha
why don’t you secure a title for the heat so you f@cked up their season
At the bottom of the well Dante finds himself on a huge frozen lake. This is Cocytus, the Ninth Circle, the fourth and the last great water of Hell. Here, frozen in the ice, are punished sinners guilty of treachery against those to whom they were bound by special ties.
1. Wade’s team (Bron is more full of himself than anyone)
2. He’ll be Pippen
3. They won’t win a chip there (him and Wade need the ball in their hands, Bosh doesn’t count cuz he’s overrated. Also, to actually WIN you need players that complement each other, role players, not just a bunch of stat stuffers.)
4. He cares about his brand so much that he’s staying in Cleveland
5. If he cared about winning he’d join Chi
6. If he’s selfish (he is), NY is the only team besides Cle that won’t be a surprise.
7. LeBron is annoying
8. Kobe is the best player on the planet.
Wait, I got an even BETTER one
What if the BEST center the game had ever seen, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, joined up with one of the best POINT GUARDS the game had ever seen, Magic Johnson? Man, that would ruin the league and no one would watch it anymore.
That would be the most asinine decision of all time.
The Lakers comparison is off. Wilt was on the decline, and Elgin was out of the League by the time the team won a ring.
People did down Wilt for having to try to hook up with other superstars, even as they praised Russell and the Celtics for having such stacked teams.
It’s a Catch-22, so why sweat it. People are going to have problems with Lebron pretty much until his career is over. Me, I have some issues with dude, but overall I like his as a player. I would prefer if he and Wade played on opposing teams, but I don’t hate him for his choice. It’s not that different than Scottie and Mike teaming up, only this time the decision will be made by the players instead of the GMs.
Seriously, at one point Scottie was the second best wing player in the league, easily. And top five overall.
Robin: Dwayne Wade
Batgirl: Chris Bosh
And when u say guys playing for extra income, the word you search for is ‘amateur’
The greatest almost all remained in one team, LeBron is changing when he is at his best, so it will ruin his “legacy”. Well, he’ll be a Barkley. Now for a good laugh when they’ll lose to Orlando, Boston, or even Chicago in the playoffs. After a 70W year, of course!
Not sure if Lebron and Wade are automatic top 5 fantasy picks anymore either.
I honestly feel sorry for clevland cavs now he was everything to them
You don’t get it. Your favorite player just conceded he can’t be the man for a team. Last night Lebron said he has no pressure to score 30pts a game each night. What legend says that and then go play with 3 superstars in his prime. I would have respected Lebron better for going to Bulls or Knicks as the man. MIAMI is Wade’s team, Wade knows this and will have more rings than Lebron in the future IF THEY WIN. Wade set himself up to always one up your KING. Its not hate its the truth, The King said that he be able to share the spotlight and get his last night. IF so why not go on TV with Wade and Bosh and all state they will play in Miami together. Lebron got his own spotlight. If I was Wade, I would use him to, to get more rings, THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED, what player who wants to be considered the greatest ever goes play with two superstars, when he could have been the man on better teams. ITs not HATE, its like yall guys hype him up for being the MAN, but then he is not the MAN anymore, no more MVPS, scoring titles, trying to wind DPOY, he only will maybe get rings. Think if Kobe did this with the Spurs, He would have got ripped by you. So to me if Kobe did this I would not like him and would think he is a fake leader who couldn’t LEAD a team as the MAN. BOOK IT!!!
the playoffs or Finals. What will all these Lebenon,
MIA Thrice fans say then? I forsee the King being
one of the best players of his era (2003-?) but not
ever getting a ring. Orlando and Boston are still gonna
battle for that top spot in the east for a few more
years, and I wouldn’t count out the ATL boys either.
So please don’t go guaranteeing a 2nd Championship in
the 305 just yet!
Answer my 9:34am comment. Show you can write more than “Long live the Queen”. Thanks Ebay.
Peasant minds speak peasant rhetoric.
And it’s only going to get worse for them as The King AND his men destroy teams night in and night out. One may as well mentally and physically prepare oneself, for annihilation of Historical proportions are in it’s genesis.
Even MORE painful to many is that, The mighty King made this happen.
LONG… LIVE… THE KING!!!
Shout out to The Miami Heat.
Pat Riley: You’re back in The Game.
You have your chance to RECLAIM what was once YOURS.
No one in their prime did this. That makes this more appealing. Now, Wade could have EASILY vetoed this, but he DIDN’T. What does that say about a guy inviting another guy who is BETTER than him onto hi team? Great performers NEVER pass the mic.
Why he didn’t put Wade and Bosh on the air with him? This is his world, man. He can do whatever he wants. Maybe they didn’t want to go up there in front of those “bright lights”, in which the King is used to.
Who knows? It really doesn’t matter because, that isn’t the big picture. Now you are getting into judging character. If you are going to do that, you might as well start with Kobe, for The King has no criminal record.
@The Seed: At the end of the day, it wasn’t about money, like people like to think. It is not about being the “MAN”. He already IS “The Man”.
It is about… the changing of the guard, so to speak.
The King has just ushered in a new way of thinking, and it’s going to immediately impact. How many kids are changing the way they think now? Now, all of the best kids CAN play on one team.
You’re right, this IS unprecedented.
You have these guys questioning character… The King has never been accused of raping anyone, OR humiliating a maid, or any of that.
But again, this isn’t about character. I don’t hate Kobe. I love Kobe. Before The King, Kobe was my guy.
crime, plus the chick had 3 different guys jizz on her
clothing, what type of chick do you think that is?
cmon son…Bad judgement call on KB, we all know that!
Young & Dumb…He learned! Any kid or man that doesn’t
learn from his past mistakes and other peoples mistakes
is a fool! i.e. The Vicks, Pacman, Burress, Big Ben,
Tiger, L.T., O.J., Darren Daulton, D. Gooden, A.I.,
Mike Irving, Jim Leyritz, Gilbert Arneas, Chuck
Barkley, etc. LIVE AN LEARN FOOLS! It’s friday and
I’m leaving the job. Everybody have a nice weekend.
ONE!
JUKAI= NOTHIN BUT RESPECT FOR YOU BRO
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