It took nine years, but basketball fans finally got an answer last season to the question that’s been on the back of their minds for a decade. “What’s it going to be like if (or when) LeBron James finally puts all of the pieces together?” That answer? Scary. At least for everyone outside Miami.
After nine years, LeBron is finally making the transition from a great PLAYER to a great LEADER. On top of that, in 2012, he finally made significant (and deadly) changes to his offensive game. Seemingly out of nowhere, he has emerged as a mid-range master that at times — MOST of the time — is virtually unguardable. And while the number three point shots is down, the percentage is up. LeBron as MORE efficient as a scorer? Again: SCARY.
As a Thunder fan, all of this is even scarier with the events of last week that led to James Harden being shipped to Houston. The Thunder and Harden couldn’t come to terms on money — the difference was reportedly just over $1 million per year — and now “The Beard” is a Rocket. But at least he’s getting paid. The worst thing about all of this, though? When faced with similar choices, the enemies down in Miami gave up the bigger contracts for chances to win titles. And with this new LeBron running the show, who knows how many titles that might become.
MICHAEL ADAM RAY 