30 Dec 10 LeBron James MSG: Yeah, I Said It

Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesBy reading the title of this article you are more than likely thinking, "Oh great, another article on LeBron James, by a kid who is both obsessed with LeBron and very arrogant." But before you stop reading this article, give it a chance. Next summer on July 1st as everyone knows it will be the start of the NBA Free Agency period. And it could be the biggest FA period in the history of the NBA. With names like: Bosh, Stoudemire, Wade, Boozer, and of course LeBron (just to name a few), this Free Agency will be the talk of the summer for most sports fans. As I went on to ESPN.com today, the first thing that came up was a picture of LeBron James in a New York Knicks jersey wearing his new number, 6. Now I have been set in my ways for a while now and don't believe LeBron will be leaving Cleveland regardless if he wins a title this year or not. However, this is not what this article is all about. LeBron wants to win a championship (and many more) and that is obvious, but he also wants to be Detroit Lions
a "Global" icon. But why does he need to go to a major city to accomplish this?The answer to that question is simple: He doesn't. LeBron does not need to go to Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, or the Big Apple to become a bigger marketing chip or a bigger icon in the world. LeBron could play for a team in Iceland and more than likely ESPN would televise a lot of his games. I live in Wisconsin and yes the Bucks are finally becoming relevant, but do you seriously think the Bradley Center sells out on a consistent basis? But when LeBron shows up in Milwaukee, it most certainly does. If LeBron wanted to start his own team in Wyoming next year, those tickets would sell in a heartbeat. The point of these stupid comments is to point out wherever LeBron goes fans go or even average people who don't really care a lot about sports. LeBron has the 3rd highest selling Jersey in the U.S. and will be at the top for years to come. On top of that the amount of "Fun" he has playing this game makes it a joy to watch. He not only hits jump shots, has ridiculous come-from-behind blocks, monster dunks; but he also sings and dances throughout the games. He knows he is the best and has fun with it, he takes his game seriously, but when it comes to himself, not really.There is a lot of people who believe if LeBron does leave Cleveland he will be going to Chicago or of course New York. But the truth is LeBron doesn't need NY, NY needs LeBron. For the last 4+ years the Knicks have been wheeling and dealing to try and create cap space to offer LeBron and another free agent enough money to come play for the Knickerbockers. If he doesn't sign with NY this year, it will be a huge failure for the New York Knicks, they can say whatever they want about oh we got Wade, we got got Bosh, we got Joe Johnson; but none of which are LeBron. LeBron as I have said is known all over the world, when the U.S. Olympic team went to China for the Olympics the people overseas couldn't get enough of all the Green Bay Packers jersey
Olympians, but mainly Kobe and LeBron. I have heard people say "If LeBron goes to New York he will be in a bigger spotlight playing in the greatest city in the world, at the greatest basketball arena ever." Would he? Will LeBron James actually be a bigger star there in New York, then he is now? Not a chance. At 17 years old he was deemed The "Chosen One" and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. At St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School, his games were televised on ESPN. The school had to move their home games to a new site, Akron University, because their wasn't enough seats to sit all the people wanting to see "King James". And before he even stepped foot on the NBA court he signed a $90 million deal with NIKE. He wasn't even in the NBA and was already one of the most popular athletes in the world.There would be no greater storyline than hometown kid get drafted by hometown kid (yes I know he was born around Akron and plays in Cleveland so it isn't exactly hometown) and wins many championships for that team. Not even - LeBron James signs with New York Knicks. IF LeBron wins a championship for Cleveland this year - Finally, a Ring for The King or - Home Sweet Home, LeBron gives his state what they have been waiting 40 years for. He would forever be a hero in Cleveland, he would give them exactly what they wanted. As hislicenseplate says "King of Akron".This is LeBron James, I know he isn't MJ, not yet anyway, but it doesn't matter where LeBron decides to play he won't be any bigger than he is now, based on where he is playing. The man plays in Cleveland, nothing against Cleveland or the state of Ohio, but it isn't LA, Chicago, Miami, or New York, and he is stillarguablythe best player in the league and the most popular player. Not to mention wherever he goesArenassell out. And for crying out loud how much bigger can he be in NY, he is on a billboard in Cleveland that is 110 feet high and 212 feet wide.Now I am not saying he is bigger than the game of Houston Texans jersey
basketball or that he is bigger than the NBA. He is, however, bigger than the Cavaliers, he is bigger than the Knicks. Like I said the New York Knicks need LeBron, he does NOT need them, not only is LeBron bigger than the Knicks he is bigger than Madison Square Garden, okay maybe not. But regardless of where the Akron Hammer is playing in the years to come, we will all continue to be "WITNESSES."