What does it say about Le Bron James that he choose Miami?
That the Unconquering Hero no longer believes in himself — at least as far as being able to will a team to his first (of many) championships without help from a couple of players owning equivalent competency.
That’s the reaction I’ve been sitting on since Dec. 14, when Dwyane Wade rolled out Blueprint 4 to me in an interview following a Heat home practice, a master plan he and James had drawn up during several conversations about possibly joining forces for the 2010-11 season.
It wasn’t set in stone, of course, and the team of choice was undetermined. Still, should the opportunity present itself, Wade was convinced they’d have no trouble sharing the ball or the floodlights, based on their respectful, playful relationship that began at the NBA’s rookie seminar camp, and how well they harmonized during their Redeem Team win in the ’08 Olympics.
At the time of our conversation, Wade took the fantasy-now-come-true to another level by mentioning he and James would love to include Chris Bosh and form a blessed trinity. However, a down economy appeared to nullify that likelihood.
Wade said he couldn’t envision any team being capable to free up enough cap space to pay three players maximum contracts. Conversely, he made it clear he and James were willing and financially positioned to accept less money in order to add unbeatable components.
Blueprint 4 was basically downplayed. Very few of us believed James would ever abdicate half (two-thirds?) of his counterfeit crown. Very few thought he’d ever relinquish control of any phase of his existence (see last two weeks’ Pomp & Circus), particularly team leadership.
A sure sign of weakness?
That was my original viewpoint. And I’m still tempted to brand the Drama King’s “Decision” as taking the easy way out. Michael Jordan, to name the superstar James is often compared to, would not have done it, I submit, had he become a free agent and tested the waters before winning his first Bulls title after seven fruitless seasons.
Kobe Bryant didn’t bail either after the Lakers failed to make the playoffs minus Shaquille O’Neal, but he’d already won three times.
Then again, upon deliberation, I’m taking the opposite stance. The Drama King’s “Decision” actually took the hard way out. It surely has to be traumatic to leave his Ohio family, friends and fans flat. And it certainly can’t be painless to downgrade your superiority complex, which is what he has done.
That’s why, I suspect, James told Jim Gray, “This has been a humbling experience.”
We don’t know for sure what he meant, because Gray never asked the logical follow-up question.
James’ invincible aura was shattered in Game 5 of the Celtics series when he came completely unglued. And now he splintered his regal air by seeking support on South Beach.
Takes a mighty man to ask for assistance … especially when the Drama King fully comprehends people’s negative perception of him now that he’s dealing from a stacked deck.
“Why would you or anyone else have a problem with us playing together?” Wade wondered in December.
“Seemed like everyone celebrates Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen hooking up with Paul Pierce. Meanwhile, Kobe has Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. If you want to win a title against those teams you’ve gotta bring better. That’s what we’ll discuss doing when the season is over.”
In defense of James, he has remained true to mantra. For quite some time, he has told us he’ll sign with a team that gives him the best opportunity to win multi championships.
“I want to win now and in the future,” he underlined last night after finally pulling over his White Bronco.
That summarily disqualified the Cavaliers — out of contention once James was unable to recruit Bosh — plus the Knicks, Nets and Clippers.
The Bulls, in my opinion, excluded themselves when they signed Carlos Boozer, who left Cleveland for, yes, more money, but also because he didn’t want to play in James’ shadow.
“I wanted to ultimately win and ultimately be happy,” James explained.
Sounds sane to me.