Hey LeBron. Take a seat. We’re here to talk about your future. I know it’s not an easy conversation to have but it’s time to have it.
You’re the best player in the world. Maybe not everybody thinks so, but I can say that without much fear of contradiction. You’ve won two MVPs, and it’s definitely possible you’ll win several more. You may even break a record. But I’m willing to bet that you’ll finish with more MVPs than rings if you stay in Cleveland.
I know you’re a loyal guy. I think everybody knows that after your MVP ceremony/love-fest. You might as well have showed up with a I #$@%@&@ love Ohio shirt. I know it’s quite possible you’ll stay a Cav. And that’s fine. These fans don’t just love you LeBron, they need you.
But consider: your team is nothing without you. Absolutely nothing. If you’re not at the top of your game, your team isn’t gonna sniff postseason success. You weren’t made to be the best player of your era. You were made to be one of the all time greats. It’s not gonna happen without rings. Karl Malone is respected as a terrific forward. But a top ten player: not at all. If you don’t end your career with multiple titles, you’ll never be viewed the same way. If you can settle for less, fine. But you don’t have to, and I really don’t think you want to.
I’m gonna drop the “letter to LeBron” gimmick for a while. Here’s my point. Cleveland has consistently failed to put a strong foundation around LeBron. This year is no exception. Just consult the Cavs’ recent playoff games, where they employ the famous “let’s all stand around and wait for LeBron to do something,” offense. He’s their rock on offense and defense. He’s their only leader. If he wins a title, it’ll be all by himself.
And nobody can build a dynasty by themselves. Jordan had Pippen. Bird had McHale and Parish. Russell and Magic each had a full stable of teammates. Shaq and Kobe couldn’t have won three straight titles separately. If LeBron stays in Cleveland, he could be walking away from multiple rings.
His chance is now. He’s 25 and has at least seven great years in him. But he’s not getting younger. And what if he stays in Cleveland 30 as ringless as Jennifer Aniston? It could happen. It probably won’t, but his chances are worse in Cleveland than elsewhere. When his Cavs fell short last year, the solution was trading for Shaq. What next? Are they gonna pull Bill Russell out of retirement, see what he does for them? If I’m LeBron, I can’t believe that Mo Williams and Shaq are the best Cleveland can surround me with.
But if he leaves? Endless possibilities. What if he goes to Chicago to play with Derrick Rose? What if he goes to New York and teamed up with another marquee free agent– let’s say Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudamire–and played for Mike D’Antoni? Wouldn’t either of those options be better than staying Cleveland? Aren’t multiple titles a reasonable prognosis in either of those scenarios?
Plus the resulting buzz that would surround a move to either New York or Chicago? Unbelievable. Unprecedented. Look how Kevin Garnett transformed basketball in Boston. Multiply that by 100 and that’s what happens if LeBron hits the big city. Who could pass that up?
So there you have it LeBron. Do you want to be sitting in Cleveland in five years wondering where your dynasty went? Sure you’re young, but you’re not getting younger. And you’re too good not to win all those rings. You’re too good not to play in a big time city, with a massive fanbase and absolute glory. After all, every King needs a fitting kingdom.
Now I could be wrong. You could lead Cleveland to a title this year. You could win one next year too. It’s definitely not out of the question. But if you don’t win this year, why stay a Cleveland? Why play for a team who can’t give you more than Mo Williams and what’s left of Shaquille O’Neal when everybody knows you don’t have too? There’s no ceiling to what you can do as a player. Could you eventually become the greatest ever? Nobody can know for sure. But you owe it to yourself to find out.
It’s time for LeBron to think about his future. It’s time for him to think about his legacy. It’s time to think about leaving Cleveland.
I’m sorry, Cavs fans. Some animals just outgrow their cages. It’s time for LeBron to break out.
