LeBron-imooooooooooooo!

Paul's desire to play with Anthony is just the first of many LeBronimos.

LeBron James’ “decision” to bolt Cleveland for the sunny shores of South Beach had implications far beyond the two cities forever linked by a one-hour special; the entire NBA was shook by the revelation that James would be joining forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. Ultimately, the Heat’s coup will have a domino effect, what for lack of a better term we shall refer to LeBronimos, on the rest of the league as the other stars’ jealousy will drive them to try to team up with other stars in the same fashion.

The first of these LeBronimos has already fallen, with many more sure to come in the next few years; Chris Paul’s declaration of his desire to join Amar’e Stoudemire in New York and hopefully woo Carmelo Anthony next year was a blatant reaction to the Heat’s new terrific trio. Even though he may have retracted his original sentiment, it shouldn’t be believed; Paul will leave New Orleans once an opportunity presents itself for him to join forces with someone with equal star power. Whether it’s with the Knicks, his original first choice, or the Magic, his revised selection, or another team that enters the fray once his services are made available it doesn’t matter—Paul will not be a Hornet by the start of next season and the catalyst for his uniform change is none other than the self-anointed King himself.

The moment James made his decision, the wheels started turning in Paul’s head. If he says otherwise, he’s just being politically correct because we all know that’s BS. Less than a week after James made his announcement Paul was at Anthony’s wedding in New York with a slew of other athletes and celebrities, including James, and made a toast that just so happened to include a plea to Anthony to join him in the Big Apple with Stoudemire to form their own big three. He may have said it with a laugh, but make no joke about it—Paul’s serious.

But don’t think it will just end with Paul. Don’t be surprised if players such as Deron Williams or Brandon Roy ask out next. While James heading to Miami doesn’t guarantee the Heat a title it sure as hell improved their chances; the Lakers are still the team to beat and could beat the Heat as constructed. But once James left Cleveland all the other stars across the league took notice, realizing that in order to seriously contend for a title they would most likely have to find another star running mate and most likely two.

The NBA used to be a league centered on superstars; without one a team didn’t stand a chance. But now surrounding one star with solid role players and the occasional All-Star doesn’t seem to be enough; multiple stars are now required in this new era of the NBA.

Pat Riley already has quite a legacy in the league, but it just grew larger with his savvy front office maneuvering. Completing changing the face of the NBA could be his largest legacy yet. Riley set up the LeBronimo’s and Paul is about to be the first one to fall. But one thing is certain—he certainly won’t be the last.

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