There are so many different angles from which to analyze LeBron James' decision to join the Miami Heat. You can talk about his ESPN special, his smugness towards leaving his hometown team, the reaction of the Cavs' fans and especially the owner. However, I believe the most interesting and intriguing aspect is the future, where James and company go from here.
As part of his justification for moving to Miami, James said it was all about the best chance to win. In the end, he believes that's what will define a basketball player's legacy, championships. To a large extent he's correct. When the history of basketball is discussed, championships carry the biggest weight. However, it's not just how many you have, but what role you played in them that truly defines your legacy. It's the same reason why James' legacy will never be what it could potentially be.
For the past seven seasons, LeBron's name has been talked about as possibly one of the greatest of all time. It was simply assumed that as he developed and built a team around him, he would ascend to a level similar, or better, than that of Michael Jordan when the Airman dominated the 90's. Instead, by going to Miami, James is passing up indivdual glory and a chance at all-time greatness in the process.
Some people view this as the ultimate act of unselfishness. I view it as the ultimate act of cowardice. Just because I want LeBron to be the same type of competitor as Russell, Jordan or Kobe, doesn't mean he is that person. This move clearly shows that he knows he's not that ultimate competitor. It's just unfortunate that someone with that kind of physical gift doesn't have the mental drive that could make him the greatest of all-time.
Even if the Heat go on to win multiple NBA titles as LeBron desires, their legacy will not be his. Granted they'll be in the conversation as one of the great teams of all-time. Yet when people remember the Miami Heat of the 10's, they'll remember that they were led by Wade, not by James. Miami was, and still is, Wade's town. They drafted him, watched him grow, cheered him to a title already, and will celebrate the fact that he was able to rope two of his All-Star buddies into playing with him.
LeBron's role will be that of Scottie Pippen. James will become the greatest second banana in the history of the league. He may very well put up stunning numbers, but he will never be the true leader of that team. He knows that. He also knows that if he tries to take over, it will be destructive to the chemistry of the Heat and submarine any chance they have to win multiple titles.
Some say the decision was simpler than that. That LeBron simply wants to play with his friends in one of the best party cities in the country. I reject that argument. From the moment a kid is told he's going to be an NBA player, he immediately begins to think about his place in its history, how he wants to be one of the greats. LeBron James is no different. He wants to be remembered as one of the greatest of all-time, and he will, but not in the same way he thinks.
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