Ponder this question for a second. Once the league's landscape smoothes itself out (relatively) after the inevitable and much discussed 2010 free agent class materializes, what single player will be looked at as the biggest winner of this generation?
Most basketball people would say Lebron James quicker than a geographer can shout out the capital of Texas, but what if the chosen one, as amazing as he is, doesn't win a championship?
A lot can happen between now and next year, but with the Boston Celtics re-loaded along with the Lakers, Spurs and Magic still competing for the ring, more likely than not the Cavaliers won't be NBA champions next spring.
Lets say Lebron goes to the Knicks. A truly revealing decision that would inform us James isn't all that interested in winning basketball games, but instead expanding his own mogul.
Going to New York as opposed to staying in Cleveland, where Lebron will have the best chance to create a dynasty, would most likely stunt his championship quest due to the fact that the Knicks entire roster is about ten years past due on some major reconstructive surgery.
While their style of basketball is certainly a player's preference and would surely be a perfect fit for the incredibly athletic Lebron James, after four best of seven series once the playoffs roll around, their chances of grinding out a championship are slim to none.
So hypothetically Lebron goes to New York, it's 2015 and he's yet slide a ring up his middle finger. Who will be viewed 30 years from now as the best player of this generation?
While there are many great players to choose from, only one talented phenom besides King James has the decision to flee his franchise and find a suitable winning situation. This player's name is Dwyane Wade and he's already one up.
What if Wade chooses to make (gasp!) a basketball decision and signs with the Celtics? Playing besides Paul Pierce, Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett for a couple of years before catching the baton and leading the winningest franchise in the sports history to another decorated era? What if he chooses to sign with the Spurs and go alongside an aging Tim Duncan or the Suns with a young Amare? What about a team that has youthful pieces in the fold like the Clippers or Thunder? How about going back home to Chicago and suiting up alongside Derrick Rose?
Dwyane Wade could win three or four championships from 2010 to 2015 if he stays healthy and plays his cards right. He's developed a pretty good three-point shot and is already transforming his game like Jordan did when the legs weren't jumping like they used to.
Wade was arguably the best player in the league last season but because he's in the same time period as Lebron James, basketball fans right now are overlooking who could be the best of the time period.
Most recently all we've seen from Lebron James is immaturity. First the Orlando Magic had cooties and now him and his sponsor are allegedly confiscating tapes that show your highness getting dunked on by a kid who transferred from Indiana.
Shaquille O' Neal has already labeled his new teammate the greatest player to ever put on a pair of Nikes, but these things aren't set in stone. 30 years from now if Lebron James doesn't win a ring he won't be looked at as the great player we're all building him up to be today.
He might be the richest athlete to ever live and that's not a bad legacy to call your own, but it doesn't put you in the same time capsule as someone who could lead a team to three or four times as many rings as you.
As frustrating as it is to argue what makes a player truly great (is it stats or championships?) the be all, end all are the rings on your fingers. Not to be a cynic but if the world ended tomorrow, Dwyane Wade would be 1-A and Lebron James 1-B.
Written By Michael Pina
what if your mother hadn't had that last bartles and james and let your dad feel her up? What if your dad had actually studied that that Econ book instead of using it to roll his weed.... then maybe youw wouldn't have these half ass "what if" articles. I swear BSO is going downhill in the writing.Talk about things that are happening not things that might happen if people make the decisions in your mind.
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