5 Point Cafe - LeBron James

Trying out a new Five Quick Points format here, leading off with the LeBron decision. As always, I'll try to focus on points not often heard:

1) The Heat is On: The Miami Heat are going to win championships. Probably a few of them. The Miami Heat will define this decade much like the Lakers-Celtics rivalry did in the 80's and the Bulls dynasty dominated the 90's. Remember, they've got six years to get this done, and Pat Riley is counting on other players to come to the Heat on the cheap. The intoxicating combination of celebrity, weather, and no state taxes sells itself to NBA players. Already, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller have signed with the Heat for less than what they could have received elsewhere, and other veterans are sure to follow. Think Ron Artest was shameless in his runs with the Lakers championship this year? Wait till you see what NBA players will get up to in South Beach.

2) If the Ring Fits You Must Acquit: Brand LeBron is going to recover its basketball shine once the games are played. We will sit back in awe watching LeBron unleash his talents with a new cast of co-stars in Miami. It's worth pointing out that an NBA player's prime runs from ages 24-27 in the NBA, and LeBron just spent two of those years (and seven total) falling short with Cleveland (he turns 26 next season). LeBron recognizes that his basketball legacy will ultimately ride on his ability to win titles while still an NBA superstar. Assuming the superstar timeframe lasts through age 34 (Jordan's age during the Bulls last title), that gives LeBron eight years to win as many rings as possible. How many of those eight chances does Miami need to win to make this a success? One? Four? More than four? Make no mistake, LeBron is gunning to be remembered as one of the best ever to play the game, and, whether it was the best decision or not, he put himself on the fast-track to get there. Just take a look at the number of rings the NBA's five greatest players (according to Bill Simmons' Book of Basketball) have won, in order: Jordan (5), Russell (11), Kareem (6), Magic (5) and Bird (3). Assuming LeBron wins a few (here's guessing that he will), the only question will be how long "the Decision" stains Brand LeBron's popularity?

3) Did LRMR just sign Vinny Chase up for Medellin? Remember when Entourage was watchable and Vinny Chase listened to his posse of high school friends in committing to the bomb that was Medellin, sidetracking his career? Remember when LeBron James was one of the most likeable athletes in the world and he listened to his posse of high school friends in committing to the bomb that was the Decision, sidetracking his career? In one fell, hour long swoop, LRMR, the marketing group LeBron founded to employ his friends, upset nearly everyone that mattered - his fans, his hometown, even his agency. The fact that Nike and Sprite, two of LeBron's biggest sponsors, were smart enough to decide against hawking their products during certain prime time ratings gold starring their A-list pitchman says all that needs to be said about how misguided the show was. Even the company's website reeks of amateurism. If a marketing company can't put a good website together, what can they do? Famously, each of the letters in LRMR stand for the names of LeBron's closest friends growing up, only now it's abundantly clear that only one of those letters will ever matter. Think Chris Paul might want to reconsider this decision?

4) The Elephant is on Standby in Room 2011: There's likely going to be a lockout in the NBA when the current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of the upcoming season. Reports indicate that 25 of the 30 NBA teams lost money last season, and David Stern announced financial losses of $370 million, figures that are simply unsustainable for the owners. Meanwhile, the players are happy with the way things are. Currently, approximately 57% of basketball-related income in the NBA goes to the players. Something has to give, and Stern is going to use this opportunity to give some of that revenue back to the owners. This eventually means the players, particularly superstars earning maximum guaranteed salaries, will face significant pay cuts to appease the owners. The public backlash against LeBron is not helping things for the NBA, and, depending on how this upcoming season goes, a lockout could be even more devastating. Maybe LeBron's new team is just what the NBA deserves, a city that is long on glitz, glamor and celebrity but short on whatever else might actually matter.

5) The Rant Heard Round the World: By now everyone has read Cleveland Cavs owner Dan Gilbert's letter about the ordeal, the ridiculousness of which is only matched by the font used. Estimates now project that the Cavaliers franchise (Gilbert is the leader of the investment group) stands to drop up to $250 million in value without LeBron. Add to the fact the Gilbert is building a casino near the Cavs arena, and all of a sudden that ridiculous email turns into a rant embodying the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars. Poor Cleveland, it's amazing how spot on this parody video clip of the city really is.