Hey Cleveland, LeBron isn’t going anywhere
LeBron James doesn’t have to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers to get what he wants.
I once said that the only way the Cleveland Cavaliers could convince LeBron James to re-sign was to win a NBA championship or come fairly close to it.
With a roster chalked full of underachievers seemingly unable to do anything without Papa Bron’s help, James’ unsurprising admission that the ability to win championships is his top priority in his free agency decision and the chaos that constantly surrounds the organization, a move to Philadelphia didn’t seem out of the question.
To be sure, the Cavaliers still have a number of players that have underachieved this postseason.
The Rodney Hoods, Jordan Clarksons and Kevin Loves have had more bad moments than good in the postseason, their scoring abilities seemingly stolen by the basketball gods to test James’ greatness.
However, the Tristan Thompsons, Kyle Korvers and Jeff Greens of the world have overachieved in the postseason. With their performances consistently providing the extra lift that the Cavaliers needed to take advantage of the magnum opus that is James’ 2018 postseason, there really is just one question that needs to be asked.
A question that’s often asked but hasn’t been asked correctly.
How much help does he need?
That’s not to say James will ever play like this again, though it’s hard to say how he wouldn’t be able to. At James’ talent level — the nearly seamless melding of all-around skill, physical dominance and most importantly mental acuity — he’s going to dominate until his body can’t keep up.
That said, if James can take this roster to the NBA Finals, they’ll be back until he’s no longer dominant. To be honest, the team can’t get any worse — not only are good players underachieving but every player except Hood (who will be a restricted free agent), Green, Kendrick Perkins, Okaro White and Jose Calderon are under contract next season.
With the 8th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, a pick that could turn into a future or current All-Star, and the chance to sign glue pieces like former Cav Richard Jefferson in the offseason, upgrades will be on their way.
Furthermore, with a full offseason to work together and half a season under their belts, the Cavaliers should be more fluid on both ends next season.
James has a reason to leave Cleveland; there may be a more talented team elsewhere. But truthfully, he could have enough to win the Finals
Besides, the story he’s writing in Cleveland wouldn’t be better anywhere else.
He knows that.