Hey, did you read the New York Times article a couple of weeks ago by sports columnist William C. Rhoden, who advised LeBron James to consider the Bobcats next season if he wants to make an impact?

It has more to do with the Michael Jordan factor, of course, than with how great a franchise and teammates James would inherit. The NYT piece was amusing, considering the fact that Charlotte pretty much has no chance of securing the services of King James… at least not while he’s in his prime.

At this point in the free agent game – and it won’t really start until July 1 – I would assume that James is leaning toward staying in Cleveland. It’s home, if nothing else, and the team is built around him.

That conclusion is too easy, though, and no fun at all. So, let’s play what-if.

If James had to go somewhere else, where would it be? Here are a few options that have been tossed around in the media:

• New York: The glamour, the glitz, the Yankees (James’ favorite baseball team), Madison Square Garden - considered the Mecca of basketball – it’s all an Empire State of Mind for James.
   
• Miami: He would be the new Spring Break attraction and team up with his homeboy Dwayne Wade. I’m sure Pat Riley, one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, would gladly return to the bench, too.
   
• Chicago: President Barack Obama has weighed in on the King James Sweepstakes through an advisor – enough said.
• New Jersey: Jay-Z, a good friend of James’, is part owner of the Nets, who are still planning to move to Brooklyn. Not to mention they have a new owner with deep pockets who is willing to turn this team into a winner quickly.

I could go on, but with these choices, I would have James headed to Chi-Town to team up with the likes of NBA All-Star Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Add Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson, who finished a good rookie campaign by being named to the NBA’s All Rookie Team, and you’ve got a recipe for success and the quickest route to an NBA championship.

Luol Deng, who has started at small forward for the Bulls the past several years could provide scoring off the bench, and with certain matchups, he could be on the floor with James as both alternate between the forward positions.

My only concern about a marriage between James and the Bulls is with Rose. The former Rookie of the Year is from Chicago, and the team belongs to him, much like the situation James is in as a native of Akron, which is right outside of Cleveland.

Would Rose defer to James? No doubt he would, and I’m sure James is about the only player he’d do that for if it meant bringing a championship back to Chicago.

Speaking of championships – Jordan led the Bulls to six of them, and there’s no doubt that his legacy and accomplishments would cast a long shadow over James in Chicago. But let’s be real; no matter what team he goes to, the pressure would be tremendous, and if James doesn’t hang at least one championship banner in the rafters, he’ll be considered a failure despite any personal achievements.
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Damon Ford is a former journalist who is now a public relations professional working in the public and private sectors in Charlotte.
 

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