Lebron James: Now I Do What I Want

LeBron James: Now I Do What I Want

This blog is coming from the heart of a die-hard Lakers fan.   I wonder how many of us in the world are actually shocked he made this move?  I also wonder how many think this is well . . .random? 

One can argue that maybe since decision 1.0, but definitely since decision 2.0, LeBron James has been considering, and plotting for the perfect time in his career to join the Los Angeles Lakers.  That one is me.  I’ve sat back and watch this for so long, and pretty much wiping my brow each free agency as LeBron signed basically 1-year contracts with Cleveland, for the past 3 years.  After watching Kobe Bryant shoot two free throws after tearing his Achilles back in 2012 against the Golden State Warriors, my heart dropped because I knew we were definitely not going to get another ring anytime soon.  As a fan I can always hope, but with the talent spread across the league, and Kobe nowhere near his same self, I’m just being honest.  In 2013, Stephen A. Smith reported early on that either Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James were definitely going to sign in LA during their free agency in two years. 

 “The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers (and of course, the Miami Heat) are the likely front-runners for James. The Lakers should have all of their contracts coming off the books in 2015, while the Cavs appear to be assembling a roster that James could compete with back in his hometown.” 

While neither LeBron James nor Carmelo Anthony actually signed there, it may have just been not the right timing. 

Ben Simmons is a long time Lakers and Magic Johnson fan.  In fact, some have said he committed to LSU because his heart towards the legendary purple and gold.  On March 14, 2016 ESPN reported that at the said time LSU freshman Ben Simmons snap chatted that he was going to be a Laker in the upcoming season.  When he got word that the Lakers got the number 2 pick of the 2016 draft lottery, he proclaimed that he was fine going number 2, and that he would force his way to LA if he had to.  In 2014 Klutch Sports hired Ben Simmons older sister paving the way to also sign him in 2016.  After holding out and not working out for any team, Ben Simmons made a decision to workout for the Sixers who held the number 1 draft pick days before the draft.  His ultimate plan to hold out and not work out for any team and force his way to the Lakers did not play out.  And of course days later, the Sixes obviously took him with their number one draft pick. 

What does Ben Simmons have anything to do with this?  Well many have said that his game is extremely similar to LeBron James as he is an unselfish pass first playmaker.  His court vision is way above average and his ceiling is so high it cannot be measured.  If Simmons had actually held out and not work out with the Sixers, could they have taken Ingram over him?  While Ingram impressed, how could the Sixers pass him up for a guy who doesn’t want to play with them anyway?  And so the Lakers draft Simmons instead . . . what room is there for LeBron James in LA?  I mean you’d have to make room for him, but being under Klutch Sports himself don’t you think they’d want to spread the market?   Was it possibly the intent all along of Klutch Sports was to manipulate Ben Simmons to shying away from forcing his way to the Lakers?  Ben Simmons has had a camera on him since he was 14 years old.  Anyone who watches for upcoming talent knew to watch for him at least five years before he was drafted.  They hired his sister two years prior to signing him to their agency and persuaded him from his dream organization.  This is chess not checkers, and the king was using rooks, not pawns to checkmate the entire NBA.  He wasn’t going to allow anyone to take that away.  Not Carmelo Anthony, not Kevin Durant, and no one else.  He had done his homework since before he decided to sign with Cleveland in his Decision 2.0.  He understood that although the numbers could never lie, how would anyone respect him as the best player if his hometown hated him and booed him every time he played in their arena?  He knew he had to go back and make things right with Cleveland before actually doing what he wanted. And what he wanted was to play for purple and gold all along, which is why he even signed with Pat Riley in Miami back in 2010.  But since he couldn’t do it and get away with it then, he knew he’d have to wait for the perfect moment in his legacy and also in the Lakers legacy.