LeBron James sent a message to New York Knick fans at the press conference for his 2nd MVP award. He received the award in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, 45 minutes from where the Cavs play. Here are some quotes:
"Since I was a kid, I always said I'd find a way to put Akron on the map. It will always be my home and it will always be my life."
"Akron, Ohio is my home. Akron, Ohio will always be remembered. Akron, Ohio is my life and I love this city."
"This is home for me. I love this place to death. Every day I wake up, I understand that I'm not just carrying myself but I'm also carrying this city to bigger and better heights. No matter where life may head me, I'm never gone from here."
Still not getting it Knick fans? Here's a translation:
LeBron was lucky to be drafted by Cleveland. He continued on with life as he had known it and has become an international star while remaining a hometown hero. His mother stayed with the life she had known as did LeBron's girlfriend who he's been with since high school.
New Yorkers like to tell themselves that there's nothing like winning in New York. As with many things in NYC, that notion is overblown and exaggerated. It's been 37 years since the Knicks won the title. Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Miami, San Antonio, Oakland, Philadelphia, Portland and Seattle have all won titles since. Those championships meant as much to those players and fans as the two titles NY won in the 70s. Would Tim Duncan be a greater champion had he won in New York? Would Bill Laimbeer be less hated had he been a Knick champ?
Winning a championship anywhere is massive. Just because NY is the biggest city in America doesn't mean that winning a championship there means more. Just because Madison Square Garden is considered the Mecca of basketball doesn't mean that a victory wearing blue and orange there counts for more.
LeBron also said, "The only reason I do what I do on the court is to compete for an NBA championship. I understand that until I won that I won't go down as one of the greatest players ever. That's my only goal right now. This is the closest I've been to it."
Why would a guy who is that dedicated to winning a championship leave a team that appears to be destined for its 2nd finals appearance to go play for a terrible team? The Knicks haven't had a winning record since 2001. They've had less than 30 wins 3 of the last 5 years. They have no star players, one overrated role player in David Lee and a coach who failed to get to the finals with another MVP, Steve Nash. What would compel LeBron to leave his hometown area and home state that he loves to go play for a team as bad as the Knicks?
If Knicks owner James Dolan wants to cut James in on a large chunk of ownership, the Knicks have a shot. Otherwise, Knick fans should get over it. Regardless of whether he wins a title this year or not, LeBron will do no more than tease the Knicks to increase his value before re-signing with Cleveland.
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