LBJ: Should I stay or should I go

For the record, I am not a LeBron James fan, but I will try my very best not to be biased against NBA’s Drama King (Oops, I can’t help it).

Right after LeBron’s Cleveland lost to Golden State in the NBA Finals, we are bombarded with stories on LBJ’s next move. Will he stay with the Cavs or leave?

I would have him do the former.

Why?

LeBron, at this stage of his career, is trying to cement his legacy in NBA and the best way to do it is with the team he is very much identified with—the one that he towed to its first major sports title (for the city of Cleveland) since 1964.

Rumors have it LeBron prefers to go to Lakers. He should not. That’s Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabar’s team (players I remember since I became a basketball junky). Even Shaquille O’Neal, who also donned the purple and gold, could not call Lakers “his team” the same manner Kobe does.

The Spurs and play alongside Kawhi Leonard (if he changes his mind and not push through with his trade demands)? Maybe? However, when you talk about the Spurs, you think of Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and even the ageless Manu Ginobili. LeBron speaks highly of Spurs coach Greg Popovich, but to actually play under the system of “Pop” would require the four-time MVP to be a changed man. Remember how he locked horns and had his ways with Tyrone Lue and Miami’s Erik Spoelstra?

Return to the Heat? Not this time. Miami, though it won back-to-back titles with LeBron, is Dwyane Wade’s team first.

Celtics? A big NO, that’s my team.

Do a Kevin Durant? KD may have won two championships with the Warriors, but Golden State is Stephen Curry’s team. So, the answer is no for the nth time.

LeBron has to stay put with the Cavaliers and do the recruitment himself, not the other way around. He has management on his side and can find the pieces he needs to get his fourth championship.

Let go of J.R. Smith, please. Look for a steady center or forward. Kevin Love is too soft, while Tristan Thompson is inconsistent both on offense and defense. Have a reliable point guard. LeBron, the best player in NBA and in the world right now (there I finally admitted it, Jon Perez), can play multiple positions and often times brought the ball down during their finals series against the Warriors, but the man is still human. He can’t do it all and basketball is a game for five players (the Warriors reminded him that).

It’s not good to see Cleveland again burning the No. 23 jersey of the player they adored. LeBron does not need a new team. He needs new teammates. Paging Leonard.