Give the King What He Demands

By Ryan Leonardo

After watching the spectacle of last year’s Game Five of the Eastern Conference finals against a great Detroit team on the road, where LeBron James scored 29 of the team’s last 30 points, one must wonder if he could really do it by himself.  All the great players will be known by some for their individual talent, and by most for their ability to play as a piece of a whole.

James has been lobbying the front office and Danny Ferry to make a trade that would give him some help.  Just before the deadline on Thursday, February 21st at 5 pm, the Cavaliers stepped up to the plate and made a huge trade that involved three teams and 11 players.  The defending Eastern Conference Champions would get Ben Wallace and Joe Smith from Chicago, and Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Seattle.  Overall, Cleveland sent Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown, Donyell Marshall, Ira Newble and Cedric Simmons packing. The huge trade got James’ approval. “We’ve got some good caliber guys that are coming in,” James is quoted saying in an AP Press story.  “I’m excited.”

This move was monumental on many levels.  If Cleveland does not fulfill LeBron’s wishes, he might not stick around forever.  And Cleveland fans want him around just as much as a championship.  After watching the first game with the new “crew,” I saw an energy from all five on the floor that I have yet to see since LeBron was picked four years ago.  It’s a fact that James makes everyone around him a better player.  Want proof?  Ask any NBA fan that isn’t from Ohio to name two other players on the team that won the Eastern Conference.  You would be hard-pressed to find one out of 10 people who would know.  The Cavaliers acquire a big name with Ben Wallace, who has struggled on a horrible Bulls team this year, but will soon return to All-Star form with Cleveland. The Cavs also pick up one of the purest perimeter shooters in the game in Szczerbiak.  Wally has sunk nearly 41 % of his 3 point attempts in his 9 years in the NBA.

Now that King James has what he wants on the floor, he has a greater chance than ever to get what he wants on his finger.  LeBron James will go down in history as the greatest player to ever walk on a professional court, even if he doesn’t win a championship, but he will very soon.  My honest suggestion: Buy LeBron James memorabilia now!  Once his Cavalier team wins it all, you can send me an email and thank me, although monetary compensation will not be needed. 

It happens all the time in sports.  Perhaps in 1998 you noticed a kid from The University of Tennessee named Peyton Manning.  You decided to buy a rookie card when the Colts drafted him because you KNEW he was the most talented in the game, but also knew that the investment would pay off if he could lead his team to a Super Bowl victory.  It’s exactly the same thing here.  The value of his jerseys, photos, autographed goods, and anything else from bobble heads to a shingle from his mansion will increase significantly in value when he wins one, two or five championships.  As in any monarchy, the King always gets what he wants.