Good read on LBJ and his decision

[Real Deal]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2010/0331/nba_lebronsplit_576.jpg

 

When trying to understand the psychology of the huge decision LeBron James must make this summer, first you have to meet and understand Cleveland LeBron.

 

This is perfectly illustrated at just about every Cavaliers home game, where James immerses himself in a level of comfort he's spent seven years developing.

 

When he gets introduced, his first handshake routine is with Randy Mims, a close friend and business associate who has been with James for every home and road game during his NBA career. Mims, who is employed by the Cavs as a player liaison, sits behind the bench during games as well.

 

Also there every day is Mike Mancias, the team's assistant athletic trainer who also serves as James' personal workout coach. They do yoga together in hotel rooms, Mancias puts him through a 20-minute stretching routine after practices and before games, and he's on James' private jet as he crosses the globe in the offseason for various commitments.

 

So too is Chris Jent, the Cavs assistant coach who also qualifies as James' personal shooting coach. It is under Jent's guidance that James has become a stronger shooter and more efficient scorer. Before every game, Jent puts James through a shooting routine. He does the same in the summer, whether James is in Los Angeles shooting a commercial or on vacation in Europe.

 

 

But it isn't the whole story. There's another side to James, and this is the fraction of his personality that still unnerves the Cavs organization that has done all it can to bring James coziness and surround him with high-priced talent. And it is what scares so many Cavs fans to their very core.

 

It is another personality, even if it doesn't come out as often as his Akron-rooted sensibilities.

 

It is New York LeBron.

 

That's the James who gets in his jet to fly to New York to attend parties, restaurant openings or concerts on off nights during the season. It is the James who loves fashion, being on magazine covers and hanging out with Jay-Z, his mentor, who made a name for himself by conquering the New York music scene. It is the James who once said he wanted to earn a billion dollars and who has devoted his off-court time to developing business interests.

 

It is the James who took no shame in wearing a Yankees hat to an Indians playoff game three years ago, a move many Clevelanders took as a direct insult. It is also the James who, despite his statements about being happy at home, has also been sure to leave his options open in every statement about his future.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/columns/story?page=LeBronNY-100402

[Flash]

Was just going to post this. I read it maybe 10 minutes ago.

[bigdog17k]

Very interesting. I think when the time comes it's going to be a pretty hard decision for him. Because he's basically got those two sides he wants to please. I mean I know a part of him is rooted in Ohio, he doesn't want to hurt the hometown fans. But then he's got all those high class people he "chills" with in the tri state area. So I mean... this is going to probably play out in some dramatic fashion. I can see it now.

[Real Deal]

The idea is that it's Cleveland or the Knicks...but I have a gut feeling the Knicks aren't even on his mind right now, and it's the Nets that he's thinking about, especially with the rich owner who will shower him with money, expensive teammates, sponsorships, and anything else he wants.