LeBron James: Is He Just Putting Cleveland Through Another Circus?

LeBron James is undoubtedly one of the best in the game – even one of the best of all time – but where he really excels is at creating and reveling in the media circus. It’s completely fair to say that he has elevated that game to a whole new level, unprecedented by anyone who has ever played the game (and that includes Dennis Rodman)… quite possibly more than anyone who has ever played any game. Anyone who has followed the game remembers the ridiculous media stunt he pulled on Cleveland with The Decision in 2010.

For those who are new, The Decision was an ESPN production by which the whole world was allowed to watch in real time as LeBron essentially told his teammates, fans and the ownership of the Cleveland Cavaliers to flake off while publicly announcing his decision to join the Miami Heat.

No one who remotely understands the game and how free agency works begrudges LeBron the right to work out the best deal he can with whichever team is willing to pay him for his otherworldly talent. James has even demonstrated his willingness to take less pay for a better supporting cast around him. However, in his first free agency — which followed a pathetic showing in the playoffs, in which LeBron showed a distinct lack of heart against the Celtics — James demonstrated that he had no regard whatsoever for the Cleveland Cavaliers organization or — worse — his fans in Cleveland, many of whom had watched the local boy play since high school.

Second verse, same as the first. LeBron James is a free agent again. Ironically, it again follows a relatively heartless showing in the playoffs. Now, it’s Miami’s fans’ turn to go through the media circus while LeBron James acts like a 16 year old sophomore girl with six invitations to the senior prom.

The shame of it is, we all know that LeBron James is a big deal, the best free agent available, probably the best player in the NBA. We knew that four years ago. There’s no need for LeBron James to make a circus of his free agency, other than that that’s just what LeBron does.

According to a report in USA Today, LeBron and his agent have had formal discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and the team he puts through the circus four years ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers. James is also slated to meet Pat Riley to discuss the possibility of staying in Miami.

Of all places, LeBron James, the king of the media circus, is holding the meeting in Las Vegas. It’s impossible not to wonder whether he will try to turn the process into a reality show again, especially given that the talks are taking place at the world capital of cheesy sideshows.

Any time a big name hits free agency, there’s going to be a lot of speculation and the media is going to try to hype the decision process. To some degree, that’s unavoidable. Thing is, LeBron James not only doesn’t make any attempt to downplay or avoid the hype, he revels in it. Rolls around in it and gets it all over himself and everyone else. He seems to enjoy toying with people in the offseason as much as he enjoys driving the basket.

Here’s the thing, Cleveland fans: LeBron does not respect you. He has already proven that. Now, he’s teasing you — and probably only to make his other suitors jealous — with the idea that he wants to come back.

Ask yourself this: Why would LeBron James want to come back to Cleveland? Money? He’s going to get top dollar no matter where he goes. The talent around him? He would be returning to a Cleveland team that looks a lot like the one he left behind, as this excellent article by CBS Sports points out. Is he homesick? That’s the only reason for returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers that would make any sense, but if that were the case, he would come out and say so. After all, he’ll still get pretty much whatever he asks for when the negotiating starts.

Don’t expect to see LeBron is a Cavs uniform next year. The more likely scenario is that LeBron James – for his own entertainment or whatever his reasons are – is just putting Cleveland and their fans through another circus.

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