More on King James

I admit: LeBron’s biggest mistake was the hour on ESPN. He has a different personality, less competitive and more “let’s be friends, let’s get along.” People are more likely to take advantage of this. ESPN profited much more than the Boy’s Club. The Cavs tried to take advantage, but lost out to LeBron’s pals Wade and Bosh.

Jordan never lured a big-time free agent to Chicago, but he always had Pippen. Cleveland is no Chicago! I say again: it has been proven that LeBron can’t win a championship with these Cavs. Perhaps only MJ in his prime could do that. Speaking of…

What would Jordan do? MJ played for a better organization, who constantly brought in players to compliment Michael. Did Michael consult and recommend Bulls roster moves? As he reminded us in his HOF speech, Jordan did not get along with Bulls management. Jordan’s legendary competiveness lifted gifted and average teammates alike.

LeBron wants to eclipse MJ as the greatest ever. Kobe seems more like MJ the player, but has proved less marketable than Jordan or James.

Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh were the real winners of this LeBron sweepstakes. Wade has already won a title, and gets to stay put with a strengthened team. Like LeBron (& Kevin Garnett) Bosh deserted a losing franchise he had been carrying, leaving their cupboard bare, destined for more years of losing seasons. Why weren’t Bosh and Garnett chastised so? I get it now, they didn’t announce it live on ESPN.

The reputations of Bosh and Wade remained intact even as they cavorted around Chicago and LA, hiring a personal film crew to document their free agent negotiations. A recent Sports Illustrated article on the subject said LeBron remained low-key, compared to them.

In baseball, big free agents are rarely criticized for leaving smaller market, losing teams. The Pirates haven’t had a winning season since Barry Bonds left town. Maddux left the hapless Cubs, but returned as a hero years later. Fans faulted the Braves for letting Teixeira go, though it was obvious he would only be loyal to the highest bidder.

Even David Stern enjoyed all this publicity, in this usual NBA downtime with the media.

Everyone blasts LeBron, but no one says what he should have done. Had he taken Cleveland’s higher max money, he would’ve been blasted for that. Would these experts really choose playing alone in Cleveland, instead of in Miami with two buddies?

He just shouldn’t have done the ESPN special. He was booed at a weekend wedding. He should stay away from the ESPY’s.