LeBron James and this upcoming NBA off season have become synonymous with each other.
"Where's LeBron gonna go?"
It's unavoidable.
So where will he end up?
Will it be on Miami Beach?
Will it be in Times Square?
Will it be in downtown Los Angeles?
Should he stay in Cleveland?
There are three ways to break this down: Money, Championships, and Stardom. All three Locations offer different advantages and disadvantages.
Which will satisfy LeBrons' Sweet tooth?
Miami:
If Lebron were to go to the Miami Heat, he would have two things that none of the other organizations could offer:
No income Tax and a budding star.
There is no doubt that Miami could offer a lot, but what really should be attractive to LeBron is the Possibility for a championship.
Not Miami Beach.
Miami has already proven to be willing to pay for a championship. Ever since they brought in Shaq, there was no doubt in my mind that if the right opportunity came across. Heat Management would be willing to make it happen.
Pros: Location, supporting cast
Cons: Smaller market than New York, not a basketball city.
New York:
Madison Square Garden, Times Square, large fan base, millions in endorsements, shopping, and history.
It's the big apple and it's the biggest stage in the sporting Nation of America.
But, within all its greatness, it has its downfalls.
New York is a very expensive city to live in and has been known to be really tough on their athletes when they aren't playing well. But that passionate fan base can be a huge draw because when the fans think that you can do better, management begins to feel pressure to help the team perform, and will be more willing to make moves for success. But even with the willingness to make moves, the organization wouldn't really have a lot of cap space after signing LeBron and the current supporting cast to new deals.
Pros: Passionate fan base, location, world stage, NBA history, and endorsement opportunities.
Cons: Media attention, poor supporting cast, bad team, living expenses, and a passionate fan base (it works both ways)
Los Angeles:
When people think of LeBron's options, they don't usually think of the Clippers as a viable one. But when you think about it, Los Angeles has everything New York has and more.
The Los Angeles Clippers have always played second fiddle to the Los Angeles Lakers. But if LeBron ends up going to LA he could make that organization much more appealing to Los Angeles Sports fans. The obvious advantage for the clippers is money made. Attendance, Merchandise, Television Contracts, and a better team would make this a quick sell for the Clippers.
But when LeBron makes his rounds to all the possible locations this summer the question is what will stand out to him?
Well let's start with the obvious. They already have a better team than New York and Miami. With Blake Griffin Coming back next season, they will at least be competitive.
Second, The Los Angeles area could offer perks that the New York area could not offer. First off, the weather is awesome year round. 70 degrees and sunny is the coldest it gets in LA.
Ever.
The beach is always a huge draw and the nightlife is up there with the best; and it's year round. The Acting industry could also offer another dynamic to the situation. LeBron has showed a creative side and has also showed interest in acting.
All in all. Los Angeles offers many positives to any of the big free Agents, but especially to LeBron.
Pros: Entertainment, endorsements, team potential, location, and weather
Cons : Considered the other team in LA, expensive, far away from his home state.
Cleveland:
Cleveland offers nothing any of the other towns can offer.
And that is sentimentality. LeBron is from Ohio, he grew up in Ohio, went to high school in Ohio, and was drafted by Cleveland.
Cleveland made LeBron who he is. The city loves him and the Cavaliers hold him sacred.
Money wise, Cleveland can offer Lebron the most money in the contract but the endorsement opportunities just aren't there. The weather sucks, it's a small market, and there isn't exactly a lot of rich basketball history in the Cavaliers organization.
Pros: Fan base idolizes him, contract money, sentimentality, good team.
Cons: Small market, weather, location, endorsement opportunities, history.
Overall, the best basketball decision LeBron could make would be for him to decide to re sign with the Cavaliers.
When you have a city that believes you can do no wrong and wants to have a winning culture you should stay there. Many cities strive to have the winning mentality and fan base that the cavaliers have right now.
So instead of spending years trying to get back to where LeBron already is (with the Cavaliers), stay with the team that is already on the verge of being in the championship (and winning).
I fully expect LeBron to resign in Cleveland, no matter how much it impacts his pocket
