King James Gospel
Fansided

The San Antonio Spurs just auditioned for LeBron James, and they put on one heck of a show

By Jason Timpf

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 23, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 23, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

All eyes were on LeBron James as he reached his latest milestone on Tuesday, but the San Antonio Spurs had bigger plans.

Wow. Nothing like a night juxtaposed with the San Antonio Spurs to shine a light on the blemishes that stain your team. Not just any team though, LeBron James’ team.

On Tuesday — despite the distractions that came with LeBron’s latest achievement — the Spurs put on a clinic. Gregg Popovich deployed his usual hodgepodge of lineups that make the most of whatever injuries plague the roster. Young players that would likely flounder elsewhere looked like savvy veterans.

It was a thing of beauty to watch each player fall gracefully into his role. The San Antonio engine never misses a beat.

Meanwhile — on the other end of the floor — the Cleveland Cavaliers continued to miss rotations, fail to give second efforts, and generally demonstrate atrocious body language. It was just ugly enough of a performance to put a dispiriting cloud over LeBron’s big night.

However, it wasn’t until I saw this exchange between LeBron and young Dejounte Murray that I started to notice what was really going on in San Antonio on Tuesday:

The San Antonio Spurs were auditioning for the King of Akron’s services.

Spare me the lecture about the intricacies of the salary cap. We all know that if LeBron picked up the phone and called R.C. Buford, the Spurs would move heaven and earth to make room for him.

Oh, what it must have been like to be LeBron on that court Tuesday night. To see his teammates absent-mindedness one second, and San Antonio ferocity the next. To feel the energy of that home crowd.

Now, to be fair, I hold LeBron partially complicit in the failings of this Cavaliers team, so I’m sure his thoughts last night were laden with hypocrisy. But I am certain he envied San Antonio’s performance.

First, there was the standing ovation delivered by the San Antonio faithful. It seemed heartfelt and nostalgic, as if to say “we remember our three meetings in the NBA Finals, and we have nothing but respect for you.”

Then there was the performance of Dejounte Murray, who looked every bit like the future of the point guard position for Greg Popovich. There was a tangible chemistry between LeBron and the young phenom, who he shares agents with.

Murray spoke about their relationship after the game:

“That’s my big brother. He helps me out a lot,” Murray said to TNT’s Dennis Scott. “He came into my life and told me he just wanted to help me and see me chase greatness, and I appreciate him a lot.”

Finally, there was the embrace between LeBron and his nemesis-turned-friend Gregg Popovich. The two represent the absolute best of their profession over the past two decades. Perhaps of all time. LeBron has a title at Pop’s expense. Pop has two at LeBron’s.

More from King James Gospel

It all just seemed like an invite on a grand scale. An extension of a simple offer from the people of San Antonio to LeBron:

Come play for us, and we will help you finish your career the right way. With stability, accountability and an identity that will finally extend beyond your own.

Now — beyond any emotion in this case — the San Antonio Spurs make a ton of sense for a 33-year-old LeBron. The roster is beyond a viable threat to the Golden State machine.

Kawhi Leonard represents the ideal fit at small forward following LeBron’s inevitable move to the power forward position. Danny Green is one of the best “3 and D” players in the league. LaMarcus Aldridge has regained his confidence.

The bench is as good as any in the league with Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Patty Mills and Rudy Gay. (Some of these players would inevitably have to be moved to make room for LeBron, but the key pieces would likely stay.)

Then there is Popovich. Playing for Pop would be the single greatest challenge of LeBron’s career. He hasn’t been consistently held accountable since he played for Eric Spoelstra and Pat Riley, and now he’s in a stage of his career where that effort is more daunting than it was in his twenties.

The flip side of that is Pop is perhaps the best body manager in the NBA. He would limit LeBron’s minutes. He would rest him ten or more times each season.

Furthermore, the most challenging element would be the sacrifice of LeBron’s ego. He would become a part of something bigger than himself, rather than the sole focus of an achievement. I’m not sure if that is a sacrifice LeBron is willing to make.

However — if he does make that sacrifice — there is no doubt in my mind that the San Antonio Spurs would win multiple championships before LeBron finally hung up his shoes.

Must Read: Should the Cleveland Cavaliers trade the Brooklyn Nets’ pick?

The Spurs have presented one hell of a sales pitch. It is now up to LeBron.