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| and apparently Damon Jones' night |
One man's decision established precedence for how other "super" stars would treat their teams and their fan-bases.
Maybe the Miami Cheat were fated during that rumored wedding toast. Perhaps New York will yet witness the dawning of its own trifecta, with the public and not-so-public (future) defections of Carmelo and CP3 will prove. Deron Williams is frustrated and is likely to leave Utah when his contract expires in 2 years.
We aren't talking about your typical free-agent bonanza. NBA free agency usually consists of a pou-pou platter of degrading rotation players and discarded draft picks. This isn't the NFL, where you can regularly find talented players undrafted. In the NBA, more often than not, the cream rises to the top. One player can impact the game to a greater degree.
And yet when it comes time for free-agency, it isn't supposed to be those impact players switching teams. In fact, it was practically unheard of for decades (sure, there are notable exceptions). But the point stands, the defections of James and Bosh (taking their "talents" to South Beach) we're in and of themselves unprecedented.
Why wouldn't a group of 20-something rich celebrities not want to hang out all the time in perfect weather?
Because of the precedent set by LeBron's selfish motives, every star athlete views it as his given right to play for a winning team with people he likes.
Who cares about the team that drafted them, gave them a job, took a chance?
Who cares about the fans who have emotionally invested themselves in their team (for better or worse)?
Star players are beginning to believe that it is up to them to do whatever it takes to see that their needs are taken care of above all else. If your team just isn't quite cutting it, demand a trade, or wait and leave.
I've heard the argument that it's a business, and that team's don't show loyalty either.
Aren't we beyond that simplistic logic when we talk about this caliber of player? Doesn't being in the upper stratosphere of talent afford you the luxury of upholding noble principles? Have you ever lectured a famine-victim on ethics?
Like I said, LeBron James ruined the NBA for me. In one off-season, Miami accomplished (talent-wise) what my team (Blazers) have been building towards for years, patiently, with their own nucleus.
Screw the building approach, now big-market teams can just court superstars through eventual free-agency. And those superstars can and will put entire fan-base's on edge, ultimately breaking their hearts. You don't think Nuggets fans would rather say "screw you" to 'Melo and kick his ass to the curb? It hurts to have someone look you in the eyes and lie to your face.
Maybe Mr. LaLa Anthony can pull the knife out of Denver's back for the next guy to use.
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| He definitely dropped that baby |
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