Allow me to begin this post by paying my respects to Oscar Grant, who was killed New Years day 2009 by an Oakland police officer. Grant was unarmed. His killer was charged with involuntary manslaughter earlier today. When will "with liberty and justice for all" actually mean something in this country?
Not because LeBron James signing with the Miami Heat means at the very least a thirteenth year of non-championship basketball for my Bulls. Not because LeBron signing with Miami means Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers will most likely not be dethroned as the reigning NBA champions. But moreso because as a LeBron fan, it seems like he doesn't WANT to win.
I personally feel that the Chicago Bulls were the best option for LeBron James; y'kno, if he wants to win a championship RIGHT NOW. If that's not what he wants, and he wants to play for a city where he can play with another superstar and party every weekend, I understand. But, let's look at the squads. Miami has Michael Beasley, the #2 pick in the 2008 NBA draft (#1 was Chicago's Derrick Rose). The young man has talent, but let's be real, he hasn't had the impact people expected just yet. He hasn't even had the impact D-Rose has had so far, and with Chris Bosh coming to town, this will likely mean Beasley going back to the bench, unless they have CB4 playing the 5 (that's center, for those of you who ain't up on your b-ball lingo). Mario Chalmers will be the Ron Harper of this team. All that means is he's the point guard who will rarely have the ball; which, if you know basketball, is oxymoronic. And does that team even have a bench?
The Bulls on the other hand, have what it takes to win a championship RIGHT NOW. After only two seasons, Derrick Rose is already talked about as one of the best point guards and team leaders in the NBA; right up there with Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams, and Chris Paul. Joakim Noah is a tremendous rebounder, but the most valuable trait he brings to the game is his energy; you can't coach that. He also knows how to win, winning two straight NCAA championships with the Florida Gators. You can't coach that, either. Also, with young players like Taj Gibson and Luol Deng (hopefully he gets his head outta his ass soon and plays ball like he did a couple of years ago), and of course the acquisition of two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer (who wrecked shop in Utah along with Deron Williams), the Bulls have the supporting cast to allow 'Bron to win his first title RIGHT NOW. Quite honestly, why he signed with Miami, especially after their starting center Jermaine O'Neal signed with the Boston Celtics, baffles me at this point.
Putting the focus back on LeBron, for the past couple of years, everybody has been debating on who's better between Kobe and LeBron. I think from a talent standpoint, LeBron takes it hands down; he's just a better athlete. But at the end of the day, this game is about WINNING, and that's what Kobe has been doing over the course of his career, which is (sadly) why he wins this debate as of right now. And because of that, I personally don't think if Kobe was placed in LeBron's shoes, he would have signed with Miami. LeBron needs to win the 2011 title, and Miami doesn't look to be the best team for him to do that. With Kobe's age starting to show, he'll be too old for anyone to even care about this debate in the next couple of years and by that time, Kobe will have taken it; second three-peat or no second three-peat.
I'm not saying I'm a Kobe fan by any stretch of imagination, but the man only focuses on one thing; winning. At the end of the day, LeBron is still the better athlete, I won't ever deny that, but I believe Kobe would've made the choice that would put him in the best position to win a championship RIGHT NOW. I don't think many people feel LeBron did that tonight.
I'm not tryna jump down his throat for doing what HE wanted to do, I'm just sayin'. Not that it matters, but LeBron let a lotta Chicagoans, New Yorkers, and lastly, people who wanna see him win a championship RIGHT NOW (and dethrone Kobe while doing so) down. That is all.
~Trufe
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