A Ring for the King

LeBron James came into the NBA with many goals. None more important for his basketball legacy though than winning championships. Now he stands on the precipice of the biggest decision of his life and a decision that will impact the NBA for years to come. This decision alone will perpetuate the rise and fall of one or more franchises and the careers of many executives, coaches, owners and players who have all their future hopes riding on him.

At this point sources close to James are saying that he will join his friends Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. This trifecta of talent is bound to dominate the NBA landscape as a team for the next five years. Assured are the rings, fame and money that come along with reaching the pinnacle of the basketball world. However, there are many who believe that James will ruin his brand and legacy by joining a "super team" opposed to going it alone.

Well, that is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. No NBA star ever won a championship alone. Back in the 80's the "Show Time" Lakers had a young point guard named Magic Johnson. A player who could literally play all positions on the court and take over with his passing, shooting and drive to win. But, he had Kareem with him. He had James Worthy and Byron Scott with him. He was far from being the Lone Ranger.

Michael Jordan was the same. He played and won his six championships alongside arguably the second best player in the league at the time, Scottie Pippen. Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman and John Paxson weren't slouches either.

The point is that LeBron took some very mediocre Cavaliers teams to the playoffs and beyond. He did it with players who we won't ever find in the Hall of Fame, excluding Shaq who came in on the downside of his career. So, for James, he did far more than a player in a similar situation could have done. The organization did very little to bring in a coveted #2 guy, and now they will probably pay the price. Six years is a long time to keep the King waiting on reinforcements.

That being said Wade and Bosh as good as they are need help. James can be the lynch pin. He can win just as those who came before him did. He can with with very good players around him. To be honest, joining with Wade and Bosh will only brighten his legacy as with them by his side, he can now soar to new heights. Can you imagine what he can do on a court when it's DWade passing to him or Chris Bosh going for the alley-oop? It will only make him shine brighter.

It will be heartbreaking for many to see LeBron James leave Cleveland, but sometimes moving on is moving forward. He hasn't even scratched the surface of his abilities and joining with future Hall of Famers on his quest for NBA immortality is a step in the right direction. The difficult part now is seeing it through. A ring for the King, in Miami.