The end of the LeBron James era
Overstatement? Talking to soon? Counting out a once-in-a-generation athlete? Well, its the end of the LeBron James era as we know it — the one in which he won championships.
Lets throw in some context. The past couple of months have revealed several things about how the NBA is going to look over the next few years.
The biggest piece of evidence, of course, is the 2017 NBA Finals. LeBron James had one of his better finals (to say the least), averaging a triple double. The Cavaliers played with a full roster, hoping to repeat their miracle from the year before. Yet, they lost — and not just lost, but were beaten convincingly by the super team aka the Golden State Warriors. But the reason this changed the landscape of the NBA was that before the finals, many believed that the Cavaliers were probably the only team (maybe besides a healthy San Antonio Spurs) that could legitimately challenge the Warriors. Hell, people even believed they could come back from 0–3. This was certainly not the case — and since the Warriors core are all relatively young, it seemed only fitting to believe that if nobody challenges them this year, nobody in the near future is likely to. That already sort of came true when LeBron was handed his 5th finals loss.
LeBron James is still the best player in the league, until someone else proves otherwise. One could argue that given the jaw-dropping numbers he put up, despite the loss, there should be no change in people’s opinion of LeBron James the basketball player. Yet, Kyrie Irving would rather play elsewhere. Team politics and drama aside, when your team gets to the NBA Finals for 3 years in a row, and when you play with arguably one of the greatest players ever, and you would still prefer to leave — one must ask, does this say anything about the impression LeBron’s own teammates have of him? Just speculation, but maybe Irving realized that 2016 was the best he could ever achieve on this team as presently constructed. Why waste another year of his prime in a situation that would lead him to (most likely) another Finals, and most likely a 3rd loss in 4 years in the Finals to (most likely) the same team? Make no mistake, Irving wants to win. He knows the only way to do it is by challenging the Warriors, and that way is not with LeBron apparently.
Irving is probably not the only one who feels this way. The post-finals basketball drought has been replaced by a very eventful offseason. Teams are now stacking up to do the same thing Irving is trying to do by leaving the Cavaliers. Chris Paul to the Rockets, Paul George to the Thunder, Gordon Hayward to the Celtics, Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves, to name some of the key trades — notice how none of those top players landed up in Cleveland. Paul George almost did, but that didn’t happen. Jimmy Butler was initially pursued, but that didn’t happen either. Sure, its not LeBron’s job, that’s up to the LeGM. But jokes aside, it is interesting to note how the player who used to pretty much construct his own team by attracting pay-cut taking veterans and marquee free agents, while also playing part-coach, can now suddenly not seem to attract anyone. In fact, he wasn’t even completely aware of the Irving trade request — the same guy who literally had a hand in every player acquisition. This must be a case of diminishing brand value.
Hold your horses though, he’s still only 32. Even if Kyrie leaves, LeBron can still win, he still has a few good years left. Er yeah, duh, he dragged Tristan Thompson, Matthew Dellavedova, Timofey Mozgov and half a bag of broomsticks to the NBA Finals in 2015, while averaging god-like numbers. He can certainly win — but that was pre Kevin-Durant-ditches-OKC-for-GSW. The point is, he might even win the East again, but he’s not winning any more rings anytime soon, not while he’s on this team, especially not without Irving. Derrick Rose is simply not an adequate replacement, because its not 2011 anymore.
But again, hold on, he might leave Cleveland after this season and win elsewhere. But where? Team up with his now old buddies Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony? Perhaps another team in the East? (none are really of any relevance besides maybe Boston and Washington). What good would that do besides another Eastern Conference crown? Short of taking an insane pay cut to join the Spurs with their existing roster, no immediate scenario comes to mind in which he would have much chance of winning a ring, particularly given how teams have restructured this offseason. Or I guess if he pulls a Durant and joins the team that beat him, while probably taking no salary.
LeBron James has dazzled for more than a decade. He has been the best player in the league for years. There is no doubt about that. But in an age of superteams, individual heroics can only take you so far. I would like nothing more than for him to prove me and other non-believers wrong as he and the Cavaliers did in 2016. But time, age, reputation and the Golden State Warriors are against him.