After NBA Playoffs Upset, Where Will LeBron James Go?

The deafening screams of Orlando fans were heard round the world. Dwight Howard and his boys dominated Cleveland and the league's MVP, leaving LeBron James sulking in his locker room, where he ran to hide as soon as the clock ran out, upset over what can only be described as a great game. No matter what the fickle fans might say, he performed amazingly, and without all the help he needed.

This MAGICal upset raised many questions, and left fans wondering about the future. When will the much anticipated Kobe-Lebron showdown finally occur (if ever)? Will Lebron stay with Cleveland? And how long before these two have the chance to go at it in the NBA Finals, laying all this "who's best" talk to rest?

The obvious disappointment with the upset is the unlikelihood of these two mega stars ever being matched up so perfectly to face each other again. LeBron's new Free Agent status leaves more than a few teams vying for his talents, while Cleveland struggles to keep him there. Will they offer up more incentives to extend that contract? Or will he choose to start all over again on a new team?

According to many a sports analyst, LeBron's proverbial "ball" is in anyone's court. Yes, the Cavaliers do have an honest chance at keeping him if, say, they bring in Yao Ming with their new Chinese partnership, hence offering him bigger chances of making the Finals next season, earning him the ring he wants so badly (and on the same season in his career as Jordan's first, no less). Bringing in another star player might be the incentive he needs to stay on a team he has already ironed out, because, when it comes down to it, LeBron is one of those rare cases that brings the best out of those around him.

On the other hand, he might opt to start over on a new team that can afford a hefty pay-raise. He's a big star after all, and when you know you can make those around you play up to par with your skills, or at least assist you on making it work to win, you choose what's best for the bank. Some are saying this possibility is the most probable, but immature. Cavalier fans aren't making this less of a possibility, blaming him for the loss after "not scoring enough".

Bottom line, the future for the league MVP is way up in the air, all the predictions can be made, but in the end, the young prodigy will go with what appeals to him the most, and if you know this man, you can count on his ego (and drive for that ring) to do the decision making. Whatever will have him come off as the best of the best and leave the biggest legacy will most definitely be his priority.