Last July LeBron James made his oft-critized “Decision” to a nation of NBA fans and casual observers world wide. At the time most of the ardent NBA fans and followers knew that the ramifications of the “Decision” would have a impact on the league going forward. However most folks assumed the biggest change would be that the Miami Heat would be a powerhouse team for the next 7 years, and that LeBron and company would have a decent chance at winning a title or two along the way. Now, some 8 months since LeBron introduced the line “I’m taking my talents to South Beach” to the American lexicon, we see the real impact the “decison” made on the NBA
No one really saw it coming. Not even the usual “insider” information guys around the league – Bucher, Mannix, Broussard. But yet, it happened: Deron Williams, a top 10 NBA talent, 18 months from becoming a free agent, was uncerimoniously traded from the Utah Jazz to the New Jersey Nets. Utah got a decent package in return for Williams, but the move was still curious, and struck many off guard. Why would Utah make this move now, especially when they still had 18 months in their pocket? LeBron James, that’s why.
The 2010-2011 NBA season has been exciting thus far, with the curiousity surronding the Heat, the excitement surronding young star Blake Griffin, and the steady consistency of the San Antonio Spurs. One story though hasn’t been so memorable: the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs, who found themselves on the other end of LeBron’s decision, have won just 11 games this season. A team that made the playoffs the previous 4 seasons isn’t going to sniff the playoffs this year. So, how does this happen: LeBron James, that’s how.
We call it the LeBron effect. Owner, General Managers, and Coaches around the league immediately began to prepare for life in the NBA with LeBron and his new, so-called, “super team”. But a funny thing happened along the way. A few people started to take notice of his old team, and probably thought to themselves, “boy, I hope that doesn’t happen to us”. Over the past 2 weeks, the LeBron theory has been front and center in the NBA news, first with Carmelo Anthony leaving Denver, and more apropos, with Deron Williams leaving Utah. If Denver and Utah let their superstar walk away on their own accord, without any compensation, they feared they might become the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, in the case of Denver, Carmelo largely orchestrated the move when he demanded a trade. Denver could have called his bluff, kept him on the roster, and let the cards play out. But Cleveland has 11 wins this year. Carmelo was traded. It’s that simple.
The Williams trade truly solidifes our LeBron effect theory. Williams has 18 months left on his current deal, thus making him a free agent in 2012. By all accounts Williams has never asked to be traded, or really even spoken about his NBA future. Sure, he had his recent spat with head coach Jerry Sloan, but Sloan retired,which we assumed meant that Williams had won out in a power struggle with Sloan. So, then why trade him now? Was the package New Jersey offered just too good to turn down? I suppose that’s arguable. However the real reason probably has more to do with Cleveland than New Jersey. Utah, like Denver, doesn’t want to be left for dead if their superstar decides to leave. So they protect against the downside. Bye Bye superstar.
New Orleans. Orlando. Are you listening? Because you’re up next. Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are both free in 18 months. Neither have made any statements that would have their team feeling secure right now, and neither are really close to winning a championship anytime soon. One possible hope for these teams is that there will be some kind of change in the new CBA that will make it beneficial for their star to stay, but nothing appears imminent.
This puts the NBA and its Owner’s in a tough positions. The moment your fortunes grant you a bonafied stud player, you better win a championship. Like yesterday. If not, when that free agency deadline comes calling, you’re going to be forced to make your own decision. So, what’s a team to do? Based on this past week, Denver and Utah set a precedent. We, the team, will decide where our team is headed. We won’t be left behind.
Original Story:
http://joshqpublic.com/2011/02/27/leb...
