Let us take a realistic look at what everyone is saying concerning LeBron James leaving Cleveland in 2010 for New York:
To start things off, let me remind everyone that Knicks fans were saying that LeBron would never resign with the Cavaliers in 06. According to New York fans, LeBron was leaving then. However, when things didn't work out the way all the New York prognosticators predicted, predictions were fixed...er tooled. They claimed that LeBron was waiting on the Nets to move to Brooklyn before he left Cleveland.
Okay... let me trash some of these myths:
First - There is nothing in LeBron's contract that states that he will get more money from Nike if he plays in LA, Ciicago or New York. NOTHING!!!
However, if there HAD BEEN, and LeBron was going to move for money... then doesn't it make sense that he'd have done it in 06 when he was first eligible? Afterall, Jersey already had Jason Kidd, Vince Carter,etc,etc. I doubt that LeBron would have cared about having to play in the current arena...especially considering his mentor is part-owner. LeBron could have signed a 3 year (minimum) contract for the mid-level exception, that allowed him to opt-out after the first year. He then could have signed a Maximum deal with New Jersey afterward. For an example...use Vince Carter's opt-out and re-sign as an example.
People in New York want Cleveland fans to believe that LeBron will leave because he'll have more opportunities.
Really? Ummm.... As far as I know, the 5 richest people in the country DON'T reside in New York. Go Figure.
The most popular athlete in the world (Tiger Woods) doesn't reside in New York
The most popular actor/actresses DON'T reside in New York.
NONE of them conduct their main business in New York.
Yes, New York has a ton of people. Yes, they have rabid fans who would dote on LeBron, and the city would do everything in it's power to hype him even more than he's currently hyped. But the truth is that New York holds NO ADVANTAGES for LeBron!
New York fans want us to believe he'd be more marketable if he played for a NY team. Oh really? You mean more marketable to New York don't you?
Truth of the matter is this: LeBron is in HIGH demand! He could play in Bowling Green, Kentucky and he'd STILL get the same amount of endorsements!
Answer me this New Yorkers: Who has more people: New York, or China?
Um...yeah. The Chinese don't seem to care that LeBron plays in Cleveland. NBC doesn't seem to care, ESPN doesn't care, Nike doesn't care, Microsoft doesn't care.... you beginning to get the picture?
Oh, and for the New Yorker who is still delusional: Why wasn't A-Rod put on the cover of VOGUE magazine?????????
Doesn't A-Rod play for the Yankees? Isn't the Yankees the greatest sports franchise in the world? Don't the Yankees play in New York? Isn't Vogue LOCATED IN NEW YORK?????????
Then why, pray tell, does a magazine that had previously only had 2 males on their cover in their 116 year history, go all the way to little ol' Cleveland to get it's star?
Apparently the fact that LeBron played for the Cavaliers didn't play into their decision-making process. Go figure!
Why did LeBron host the ESPYS? Surely they'd want someone from New York. Why is Hollywood and New York trying to get LeBron to sign endorsement deals? He lives and plays in Cleveland.
Apparently these executives seem to think he is just as valuable to them no-matter where he plays.
One final more to bust: New Yorkers like to point to the fact that LeBron is a Yankee fan, and they like to use that as a reasoning to prove they are right - that LeBron will be leaving the Cavs for their team.
Well, LeBron has always been a Yankee fan. When they showed his games on ESPN2 when he played in HS, he came to the games with a yankee-cap on.
His favorite football team is the Cowboys. Texas is much bigger than NY...and has as much money as any state in the union... shouldn't we be worried that LeBron will run to Dallas?
Okay, one last myth: Jay-Z is part owner of the Nets, and that is why LeBron is going to sign with the nets.
This is the weakest of all the rhetoric out there. Jay-Z was going to LeBron's games when he was a Junior in high-school!!!!! They have been friends LONG before Jay-Z bought a small piece of the Nets.
LeBron would hurt himself remarkedly if he left Cleveland for NJ over a friendship with Jay-Z. It would paint a bad picture for all the fans of basketball. He would be cast in a villian's light.
The fact is this: LeBron will stay in Cleveland because - #1 His family and friends all live there. #2 It is best for his career. #3 (and this is the most important reason) I said so!
Seriously. LeBron will continue to goto New York, he will continue to goto Los Angeles, he will continue to go EVERYWHERE, and enjoy all the benefits of his stardom, but he will remain in Cleveland!
Book it!
