For weeks now, the rumors and predictions about LeBron James’s future seem to change by the minute and everyone has an opinion.
Chris Broussard, ESPN analyst:
BROUSSARD: Don’t be surprised if it is Miami.
Buzz Bissinger. Co-author of LeBron’s book.
BISSINGER: I think Lebron should go to New York. It’s New York. It’s the greatest place on earth.
KC Johnson, Bulls beat writer at the Chicago Tribune.
JOHNSON: There are several people, league executives and agents I talk to who think that Chicago has the best chance.
And, Mary Schmitt Boyer, sportwriter, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
BOYER: My gut feeling is he will stay with the Cavs.
The only man who maybe knows the future is the one they call King James, or, as the 25-year old says somewhat immodestly:
JAMES: I guess I’m the chosen one I guess.
What brought him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 was luck—but fate sounds better. The high school star from down the road in Akron was the number one draft pick, and the Cavs were so awful, they had first dibs.
He brought Cleveland prestige, international attention, and some really good basketball. But he was supposed to bring this city its first professional sports championship since the Johnson administration. Cleveland comic Mike Polk.
POLK: Logically, he can’t leave here because if he leaves here, he leaves here having failed. You hear that, LeBron? I know you’re a huge NPR listener.
Polk is the mastermind behind Cleveland’s highest profile attempt to convince LeBron to stay: a plea in song from some of Cleveland’s B and C-level celebrities. It’s somewhere between self-parody and heartfelt love letter to Cleveland. Even Ohio Governor Ted Strickland sings a few lines.
That video went viral weeks ago. But how do Clevelanders feel now?
On East 4th street, a bustling block of nightclubs, restaurants and bars, people sound tired of the whole spectacle.
Here’s Mandela Jenkins.
JENKINS: Sure everyone’s depending on him, Cleveland’s economy, everyone’s depending on him but hey. The bird’s got to be free to fly.
Some on Twitter are already calling this Lebromageddon. But Matt Frakes is an optimist.
FRAKES: I think he is going to re-sign with the Cavs.
But there’s a twist.
FRAKES: Course, I didn’t grow up in Cleveland so I have a positive attitude in relation to people to who grew up in Cleveland who always have a negative attitude.
Economists estimate the Cleveland area stands to lose tens of millions of dollars if LeBron heads for a bigger market. It would ripple through the restaurants, the bars, television advertising, hotels, even tax revenue. He pays lots in taxes.
For what it’s worth, many pundits believe Cleveland still has a slight edge over Chicago, Miami, New York, and the other teams trying to woo the King. LeBron James loves Northeast Ohio. Akron writer David Giffels:
GIFFELS: He has 330, the local Akron area code, tattooed down his right forearm.
But if the lure of another city wins out over his love of home, comic Mike Polk says Clevelanders will survive.
POLK: This is still a vibrant city in a lot of ways. And the idea that this manchild who’s really good at throwing a ball through a circle can just completely take it down with him if he leaves is just ridiculous. You have plenty to live for Cleveland, chin up.
LeBron’s advisors say he has an open mind about the whole thing. And, former Hornets coach Byron Scott is expected to lead the Cavs’ next season. Scott should know soon if LeBron will be there too.