(Brad Penner- USA Today Sports)
Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James decided to opt out of their contracts, so they can get a nice lucrative deal for the next few years. They know they can be overpaid now while they are at their peak. They need to strike while the timing is right.
Here’s also why they are opting out: They love the attention that comes with opting out. ESPN and Fox Sports 1 can’t stop talking about them on their highlight shows and sports shows. They like how basketball writers are fighting among themselves to get that first scoop about their decision. They like their names being talked about among fans. They enjoy being a talking point on sports radio. Don’t underestimate how much those two stars have liked being the center of attention since they were kids.
It’s disgusting both stars have yet to make the decision. This is as annoying as basketball writers coming up with sources about what both would do. It’s like they are milking it just to create the greatest suspense. They know fans and media are salivating to know what they are going to do.
Count me as one of those guys that couldn’t care less what they do. They have no impact on my life whatsoever. It’s hard to get worked up about what couple of millionaire athletes will do that will impact their decisions for the next few years.
Still, they need to make a decision soon. It shouldn’t take this long to make one. They have had weeks to think about this. It can’t be this hard.
We all know Anthony is staying with the Knicks. He likes the New York limelight and nightlife. He enjoys fooling around at nightclubs after a Knicks game. That’s why he wanted to play for the Knicks in the first place. Plus, he has unfinished business with the Knicks. He wants to win a title in New York. He wants to be the guy that ends the Knicks championship drought that has lasted for 41 years now.
The Knicks star could win a title with the Rockets, Bulls or Mavericks, but he feels that’s an easy way out. It wouldn’t be the same for him to ride on another star’s coattails of winning a title. He wants to be that guy that leads his own team to the title, and the Knicks present him that opportunity.
Anthony himself knew he was not going to leave the Knicks, so it was pointless for him to participate in these wine-and-dine meetings with the Rockets, Bulls or Mavericks. But that’s not how the selfish star operates. He enjoys the wine-and-dine experience. He likes the idea of being wanted. He likes his ego to be stroked.
What Anthony did to those teams is classless. He shouldn’t waste their time, and shame on those teams for playing his game. The Knicks knew all along he wasn’t going anywhere. He knew, too, so he shouldn’t have gone through that exercise.
It’s interesting why there is so much uproar about what Anthony would do. He has won nothing in his NBA career. He only went to the Western Conference Finals once in his career. Sure, he gave the Nuggets many playoff appearances, but he also underachieved often for them in the playoffs. He has had many first round playoff losses in his career. He did not lead the Knicks to a playoff appearance in what was a weak Eastern Conference this season. This is not greatness whatsoever.
Anthony doesn’t deserve anyone’s attention. He is the type of player that sells tickets, but he is not a guy that is going to win championships. He does not play defense. He is a ball killer on offense. He needs the ball at all times or he will be disengaged. He does not make anyone better.
As for James, it comes down to whether he wants to play in Miami or Cleveland. He wasn’t going to play anywhere else.
James is only giving Cleveland a chance to get him for couple of reasons. First, it’s a chance for him to be a prodigal son after he had a horrible Cleveland exit by announcing his decision to take his talent to South Beach on national TV. He knows his image took a hit by leaving the Cavaliers to play for the Heat while forming a super team in the process. He has been sensitive to it. Second of all, his legacy would be great if he won several championships in Cleveland.
While it is romantic for the best basketball player to play for Cleveland and win a title, it’s hard to believe that is happening. It would be hard for James to leave Pat Riley, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh after building special relationships with them in his Heat tenure. Plus, he can get stars to play with him in Miami and Cleveland. Miami is so much better to work and live in Cleveland during the basketball season.
James can trust Riley to deliver a championship than Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. Also, after all the nasty remarks the Cavs owner said about him in a letter once the former Cavalier announced his decision on television , it’s hard to believe he would want to play for that guy again.
James knows his best chance to win a title is in Miami. It’s hard to believe he is leaving Cleveland. From reading insiders about his decision, they think he is going to stay with the Heat.
This seems like a no-brainer Anthony and James are staying. They shouldn’t prolong this forever. They can’t be holding NBA teams hostage just so they can milk all that attention. It makes them look bad by doing this.
There’s no question they are divas in doing things on their own terms. That’s their right whether we like it or not. Still, they have to make a decision like today.
They are going to make the public resent them the more they milk this.
One can only tolerate the suspense for so long.
Contact or follow Leslie Monteiro at @LightRodWriter
Leslie Monteiro
Leslie is a contributor for Lightning Rod Sports. He covered high school sports in Bergen County out in North Jersey, and has written op-ed columns on sports such as Bleacher Report and NY Sports Digest.
