LEBRON, Lebron, lebron

The King is no longer. As a matter of fact he never was a King. Lebron James the biggest sideshow of the NBA off season is an embarrassment to anyone who ever compared him to Michael Jordan or for that matter Karl Malone. At 25 years of age not even in his prime Lebron calls it quits against the Celtics who were too tough for him, than calls it quits in Cleveland because he lacks the courage to be the man and took up residency in Miami with Wade, Bosh and Riley and all the while playing the Cavaliers and their fans for fools by embarrassing them on national television.

Before calling Lebron out for what he is the Cavaliers need to take a good hard look at themselves as an organization. Owner Dan Gilbert should have done everything in his power to lock up Byron Scott after the loss to the Celtics. He should have also sold Danny Ferry afforded GM Danny Ferry the power he needed to run the Cavaliers rather than letting Lebron and his circus freaks. Ferry grew up on the NBA as his father Bob was a long time GM. Danny himself was the #2 overall pick when he came out of college. Granted he never lived up to the status of a #2 overall pick but then again he was a whole lot better than Kwame Brown. Ferry is also a blue blood with his Duke degree. Ferry understood the salary cap and he understood basketball and Dan “the Godfather” Gilbert should have bestowed the proper authority on Danny that he deserved. Instead Dan Gilbert spoiled Lebron letting his circus freaks run the Cavs.

Not all the blame needs to be placed on Dan Gilbert either. Dan did everything necessary opening up the check book to bring in players. When Shaq and his oversized contract was available the Cavs took a chance. It wasn’t a good move but at least it was an aggressive move. When Ben Wallace was available last year Dan opened up his arms to “Big Ben” and his hefty Chicago contract. Same thing with Antawn Jamison. Three all-stars and all three were brought in to help Lebron. Obviously none of them worked out.

As for Lebron……he is a great all around player. He can score, rebound, and dish the ball. As for his problem it was never on the court it was off the court. Lebron still hung out with his high school buddies. Nothing wrong with that but the high school boys were not worthy of hanging out in the locker room with players who had earned the right to be in an NBA locker room. When big name free agents were available like Wade, Bosh, Stoudemire, Boozer, and David Lee what was Lebron doing? Him and his circus clowns were planning the great marketing play of the summer with Lebron’s ESPN summer free agent extravaganza. Obviously a me and no team involved as Lebron the two time reigning MVP and arguably the best player in the NBA with a world of talent never once thought of his team and tried to recruit other players to come to Cleveland but instead opted to play follow the leader. The leader is Dwayne Wade.

Once Lebron made a mockery of the free agent system the Hall of Famers came out and subtly pointed out the obvious. Arguably the greatest player of all time Michael Jordan laid the cards on the table. He never once thought of joining forces with the best free agents. His ultra competitive agenda was to go through the best and did it against Magic Johnson at the age of 27 in 1991. And without a doubt the biggest voice in the NBA, Charles Barkley said it best, “When you are the two time reigning MVP you don’t go running for the help of others, they come to you”.

I never could understand why Michael Jordan the most influential voice in basketball and owner of the Charlotte Bobcats never once bothered to call Lebron and have him come to Carolina for a visit. Jordan is not the greatest judge of talent but assuredly he recognizes the superior basketball players as he was one himself and maybe he recognized Lebron might not have what it takes to win a championship. The physical game is there but the total game seems to be lacking with his high school arrogance.