LeBron’s “Special” Decision

Visit lebronjames.com and you’ll see this:

“Maverick Carter, CEO of LRMR Marketing, said today that LeBron James will formally announce where he will play next season and beyond on ‘The Decision,’ which will air live on Thursday, July 8, at 9 pm ET on ESPN.

Due to the unprecedented attention and interest surrounding LeBron’s decision, we have decided to make this announcement on national television…For additional information and any other announcements concerning “The Decision,” check with www.LebronJames.com.”

Wow. ‘Due to the unprecedented attention and interest?’ Well, hasn’t that been the goal since day one? According to The Cleveland Plain Dealer, plans were in the works in some form for months, James having talked with ESPN about filming his entire free-agency process for a documentary. For a while, this included some plans to take a tour across the country and visit interested teams.

We also know that Wade and Bosh have had camera crews by their sides along their travels. Has this been the plan all along? Another ‘reality’ show called “The Decision?” One in which we’ve been unknowing supporting cast members. Hanging on ESPN’s and their sources every soundbyte and tweet.

At this point, as we all tune in Thursday night for this “special,” we can only hope that it is just that. Here’s how it won’t be:

1. LeBron stays in Cleveland. Terrible ending to this made-for-tv movie. We’ve been at the edge of our seats for days years now. LeBron staying is like the whole “it was all a dream” series finale to a decade-long sitcom. What would be the point of all the hoopla? The major announcement of a non-announcement. The only angle we can come up with is that LeBron goes on some Jerry Maguire mission statement about how the game isn’t about one man, or money, or fame. But about loyalty. A city. People.

Yeah, our sentiment exactly.

2. LeBron goes to Miami. On the heels of the latest reports surrounding Bosh joining Wade on The Heat, this certainly makes for a great headline. “The DreamTeam go to work on their tans.” Yada yada. But does it make for a great career? Let’s say they win 2, even 3, championships together. How remarkable will it be? Kobe had to win without Shaq to be acceptable to mention in the same breath as Jordan. And that’s just one other star player. We’re talking a cast of three max guys here. (Three guys. One basketball. Seen the video?) Is that how LeBron wants to go down? Boring. Unless you’re from Miami.

3. We all feel dirty no matter where LeBron goes. We head home from this party via the walk of shame. And can’t help but wonder if there is a ‘too much’ when it comes to PR, no matter who you are. We see LeBron perhaps not just as the world’s greatest basketball player but the world’s greatest self-promoter. It may not take anything away from his game, but every time you see him go for 40, you might just remember that Summer of 2010 where you got a little too drunk on the hype and let thing go just a bit too far.

Then again, there is of course the potential that The Decision is truly “special.”

How so: LeBron says “I love NY”