My gut feeling was Lebron going to LA was him saying that's enough of this basketball stuff now to do other things in life. But i don't even think he expected the team around him to be this poor. Ive thought this since his Miami days but he Lebron has really has been the worst off-court custodian of his GOAT player legacy. He should have put himself in better situations to win than he has. It's clear to me had he been more discriminating, he would have left Cleveland sooner the first time, maybe miami a year sooner and definitely not gone back to Cleveland. They won an unlikely ring but nevremind that. Not even sure why he thought going to the Lakers while trusting that damn fool Magic would work well for him. I think he would have been better off going to the Sixers and letting Ben handle the ball more while he played more off the ball.
I've been puzzled by some of his choices with regards to the teams he plays for. It would have been a fairy tale for him to be a one club player at Cleveland and turn it into a powerhouse dynasty club. I guess going to Miama made sense playing alongside Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. Even coming back to Cleveland made sense (the prodigal son). However, going to the Lakers is what killed it. If Lebron played for the 76ers they would kill it. Can you imagine how deadly a team with Lebron, Simmons, Embiid and Jimmy Butler would be!? Shiiit. On their day when EVERYTHING is going right Golden State could beat them but 9 times out of 10 the 76ers with Lebron would outplay them.
Off court I personally believe Lebron has been amazing. No crimes, no scandals, family man and he appears to be someone who hasn't let fame get to his head.
like maxent said, Cleveland did *nothing* to keep him. They gave him no support. He saw what happened to A.I. he wasn't about to go out like that. . I love how he left. I also love that he went back and got them to the finals 3 times against one of the most lethal NBA teams in history, and somehow got a title against them - that's insane.
I love that he went to LA. I mean, i'd rather him have gone to a less "dynastic" franchise, but going to LA was a ballsy move, huge risk. That org is all about titles - yet their team has sucked since Kobe left. He goes there to try and "restore greatness", and somehow beat the Warriors/Rockets in the West Conf playoffs and get some easier wins against the East. Sounds like a fantasy but i'm sure Magic will give him some crazy support next year. Lakers were looking decent before LEBRON got hurt. Really hoping they make the playoffs, just to see what Lebron can pull off there, but that's looking very unlikely now. sucks that a rare LEBRON injury derailed it.
As for LA vs DET, i mean it's kind of obvious to me.. Lebron lives somewhere in California now. Living in Calofirnia is generally more appealing than living in Detroit. lol.
pc!