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LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat earlier in the week, signaling his intention to once again become an NBA free agent and test the market for his once-in-a-lifetime services.
Though he is at very short odds to remain in Miami – but perhaps on a lower salaried contract – it nonetheless received the attention of every single General Manager in the NBA.
If you have the opportunity to sign the best basketball player in the world, you jump at the chance.
Needless to say, it also garnered the attention of the media and fans, because when LeBron becomes a free agent, it’s big news in the sporting world. I don’t think anyone needs reminding of what happened last time ‘The King’ was free to negotiate a contract with any team of his choosing, but perhaps a little refresher is in order.
In 2010, LeBron came to the end of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, essentially his home team, plus a city for which he said a championship was the goal and that he wouldn’t stop until he got it for them. Most people assumed that LeBron was going to stay with the Cavs to make good on that promise, but there were whispers he may be seduced by the bright lights and commercial opportunities of New York, and therefore sign with the Knicks, or even the Nets.
Another potential outcome had LeBron headed to Miami to team up with fellow superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, with the theory based upon a supposed pact the three players had made to each other when they were teammates on the 2008 US Olympic team.
I thought that was a preposterous notion, and never going to happen.
History will show that LeBron made the most of the media circus that surrounded his free agency destination and, in partnership with ESPN, produced a live, prime time, one-hour television special called ‘The Decision’.
It was arrogant. It was myopic. It was self-serving. But above all, it was brilliant.
In somewhat of a shock, LeBron did indeed announce he was joining the Miami Heat, with the now infamous quote, “I’m taking my talents to South Beach.”
I’m not sure anyone could have predicted what happened next. It was the lead story across US media outlets for days. There was rioting in Cleveland. There was absolute disbelief from retired NBA legends, disgusted that LeBron would team up with other stars rather than trying to win by himself.
Social media went ballistic. Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert took out a full-page ad lambasting LeBron. The Miami Heat became the team everyone hated, and everyone wanted to beat.
LeBron went from a beloved and respected NBA superstar, to universally despised. For a short time, he may have been the most hated man in America. Seriously.
And NBA writers dined out on the subsequent storylines for well over a year. It’s also worth pointing out that NBA ratings soared the next season, with interest in the NBA at an all-time high.
Every great story needs a villain, and though LeBron wasn’t whom everyone would have predicted to take on that role, he cast himself in it. He was nothing short of brilliant as the surprise ‘baddie’, even if it wasn’t his intention.
LeBron eventually won back a lot of respect and a little bit of love, not just by maturing, but by winning his first championship, followed by another, and leading the Heat to four consecutive NBA finals appearances.
There is no doubt that LeBron has grown up a lot over the last four years; he has said he learnt a lot from ‘The Decision’ and how he handled himself and his business in his departure from Cleveland.
There is zero indication that he’ll be announcing his free agency destination in the same manner as last time, for which I am bitterly disappointed.
This is a tremendous opportunity to create one of the biggest news stories in sport. Again.
I’m well aware of the sentiment that sequels are never as good as the original, but that’s not necessarily always true. The Godfather: Part II is widely regarded as superior to The Godfather. It can happen.
Stop for a minute, and imagine if LeBron hosted a TV special called ‘The Decision: Part 2 – This time I’m taking my talents to LA’.
Forget the imaginary destination I wrote there, that was simply the city I used because I’m a Lakers homeboy. The landing spot is irrelevant. But LeBron trolling the entire universe by doing the whole thing all over again? That’s relevant.
Twitter would have a meltdown. LeBron haters would self-combust. Meme generators would implode.
The internet might actually break.
For all the grief that LeBron rightfully received for ‘The Decision’, it was brilliant theatre. It was drama personified, and better than any other reality TV program in history. It revitalised the NBA. It was historic. And LeBron has the chance to do it all again.
I’d love if LeBron decided, “What the hell, let’s do it again for a laugh.”
‘The Decision: Part 2 – This time I’m taking my talents to LA’.
C’mon LeBron, make it happen.