It's become a popular strategy by several NBA teams. It started with the Orlando Magic in 2000 when they unloaded salary in an attempt to get Tim Duncan and a fresh start.
It didn't work for the Magic—Duncan decided to stay in San Antonio.
Now, New York gets to find out if their strategy will work better than it did in Orlando. One thing going for New York is that it's not a dried up pond like Orlando.
A few months ago, the idea of Lebron James changing teams seemed unlikely. The Cavaliers looked like they were NBA Finals bound with the way he and his supporting cast were performing.
The recent playoff ousting could inspire James to leave. In fact, he should leave.
He did all he could in leading Cleveland to a championship. It just hasn't worked out—and it's not going to.
No superior player will go to Cleveland for less money. People expect James to carry his team to victories, but in a team sport, a lone star can only do so much. Not many people can be what Michael Jordan was to the Bulls.
Criticize James for not stepping up in the fourth quarter, but a strong supporting cast can overcome his issues. It wasn't an accident Kevin Garnett won a championship when he had a great cast in Boston. Same with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles.
The days of a single player carrying a team are long gone.
Talent will eventually flock to New York—and that's the only reason why James should flock too.
At this point in his career, it's about winning a championship and nothing else. Lebron shouldn't worry about what the critics will say if he abandons Cleveland or what his hometown fans will think if he leaves. Lebron should worry about winning rings.
Do you think Kevin Garnett let critical opinion affect his decision to go to Boston? No—he cared about winning a ring and that's exactly what he did.
Champions are focused on winning a championship. We can say this much about Kobe Bryant. No one likes him, and do you think Kobe cares? His focus is all about doing whatever it takes to win.
That's what James should be doing.
His legacy is at stake here. People will remember him for being a bridesmaid. A guy that does not have it in him to win a ring.
If he stays in Cleveland, that's what going to happen. Clevelanders are going to talk about how they love their hometown kid, but they're greedy now. They expect a championship. From now on, they will blame him for the Cavalier's shortcomings.
In New York, he will be loved. Knicks fans will give him the crown he deserves. They will be thankful that he chose to play at Madison Square Garden.
Jay-Z will try to steer his friend to play for the Nets, but that would be a terrible choice for James.
The Nets have nothing to offer. They are going to play in Newark for two years while the new arena is being built in Brooklyn. Why would James expose his talent to empty seats in Newark?
New Jerseyans don't care about the Nets anymore. Playing at the Prudential Center is not going to change that, even with 'Bron 'Bron.
Plus, the Nets are rebuilding with young players. James doesn't have the patience or the time for that. He would rather stay in Cleveland than play for a franchise that needs to learn how to win again.
The Knicks don't have those issues
And if James can make an average supporting cast look great in Cleveland, he can do the same in New York.
Only this time, he will play with stars that can play basketball—stars that can do well on an off-night.
Now is the time for him to do the right thing. He did all he could in Ohio.
The time has come for James to come to NY.
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