From: http://www.realcavsfans.com/
Only one team in the NBA, at the time Lebron makes his decision on where he'll play after 2010, will have the base structure of highly talented young personnel, that would be assured of winning multiple titles for him for the remainder of his career, that team is quite easily determined as the Portland Trailblazers, in my opinion.
The young nuleus on the Trailblazers is impressive. The current longterm nuleus consists of: LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Jerryd Bayless, Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, Martel Webster, Sergio Rodriguez, Brandon Roy, Ike Diogu....
You add Lebron to that nucleus, and you have a team that could be completely dominating for the next decade, with no other team coming close. But, with Lebron and Chris Bosh added to the Cavalier nucleus, they become the other franchise that would ascend past the potential that the Trailblazers have in place.
So, if I'm Lebron James, and the things I've stated are my criterea for determining where I go, it comes down to Cleveland or Portland.
Cleveland will have a nucleus that will include Anderson Varejao, Mo Williams, Delonte West, Boobie Gibson, JJ Hickson, and now even Darnell Jackson looks like a promising big.
That's a seven player nucleus when including Lebron.
I truly believe that Chris Bosh will be coming in any package with Lebron James when decision time takes place. I think Chris Bosh will be following Lebron wherever he ultimately goes. I can't tell you who or where I got this information, but, it came from someone who I respect that knows Bosh, his intentions, and things that Lebron and he have been talking about.
So, take that for what it's worth.
Now, I also do expect Cleveland to be adding one more key longterm starting piece during this season as well. So, the Cavalier nucleus will only be getting stronger as we move forward toward decision time.
But, I believe that Lebron is being absoluely honest when he says that absolutely no decision has been made by him at this point.
I think he's being honest when he says that the size market that he plays in,is of no consequence.
I believe him when he's said that he loves playing in Cleveland, close to his home, friends, and family.
I believe him , though, when he says that given all that, if the Cavaliers don't seem to be a team that he feels he can reach his goal of garnering multiple championships with..if he's not sure it can happen in CLE, with their owner, front office, and player personnel, he will leave.
But, given all that ...when I look at what the Cavs have working for them in regards to secured young personnel.
A head coach that he respects greatly.
An owner that's proven that he can and will spend whatever it takes to surround him with the needed talent.
The great convenience that having a team practice facility (that just so happens to be the best, most luxurious, team facilities in the NBA) that is just 15 minutes from the home you have recently built to your exact specification.
That staying with the Cavaliers will offer him the chance to stay in Akron fulltime. The city where he grew up and his so fond of. That is the place that he has as the beneficiary of a great percentage of his civicly minded charitable contributions, and that is the hub of and run by personnel that are longterm friends that are all from Akron.
I think weighing all that, it would be very tough for him to ultimately decide to leave all that for maybe the one franchise that could offer him better longterm success ...that being Portland.
If all the criterea he has laid out that embody his decision on where he plays after '10 comes down to longterm team success, and winning multiple championships. I think the two options that stand out clearly are Portland, and Cleveland.
I think if it comes to those two ...it will be Cleveland, ultimately. But, it won't be an easy landslide decision.
I'm probably the only person that puts the deciding factor down to those two teams, but, knowing that the one issue that needs fulfilled for Lebron to become the global icon that he wants and needs to become,is to be associated with a franchise that can bring him multiple championships...it's those two teams that offer him what he needs.
In order to rest on being the greatest player of your generation, you have to have those multiple championships, and in order for his brand to reach it's full potential ...it doesn't matter that he play in New York, Chicago, or Fargo ...HE HAS TO BE LINKED TO CHAMPIONSHIPS.
That's what will have him identified with truly being, without a doubt, the very best ...he has to garner those championships. That's what opens the wallets for the merchandise he puts his label on in China, Japan, New York, LA, or Podunk, IA.
Put him on Portland with the nucleus they have in place ...he will assuredly get that for a long time into the future. Cleveland, doesn't offer better in terms of player personnel, but, they do have alot to offer, and with he and Bosh added to that ...Cleveland would offer those championships that he needs.
In my mind, it's a two horse race, and the Cavaliers ultimately win that race. Edging Portland.
If one team does ultimately win the services of Lebron James not named Cavaliers, I feel that one team would end up being the Trailblazers.
