Question of the day: Where do you think LeBron James will be playing next season?
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Four reporters from around the Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic in light of the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar’s comments in an interview with CNN’s Larry King. Check back throughout the day for more responses, and feel free to leave a comment of your own.
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel
Granted, it took a truly hard-hitting, investigative presence such as Larry King to get LeBron to acknowledge he was ‘comfortable’ in Cleveland.
That is the exact reason that it still says here that LeBron will land in New York.
A year ago, there was a comfortable finish in the Eastern Conference finals. This season, the comfort zone was wrapping up a season in the conference semifinals.
What James needs is to break out of that comfort zone, play more than the role of the hometown hero.
Then there was the relentless King getting James to admit Cleveland still had an ‘edge’ for his services. Sure, the Cavs can pay about $25 million more. That’s the edge.
No, Larry King delivered no bombshell. We now rejoin Liza, already in progress.
[Updated at 12:40 p.m.:
K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune
LeBron James will re-sign with the Cavaliers, according to sources with knowledge of guessing.
These same sources stress James will do so in a short-term fashion, likely two years with a player option, so he can hold the entire NBA world hostage again just as the Nets and his buddy Jay-Z attempt to become relevant again by moving to Brooklyn.
I know the Leader of the Free World wants James to play for the Bulls. And if he’s serious about winning multiple titles, their roster offers the best chance of those with wheelbarrows full of salary-cap cash. But home is where the heart is.]
[Updated at 2:55 p.m.:
Tania Ganguli, Orlando Sentinel
As much fun as it would be if LeBron James broke Cleveland’s heart and sought fame and fortune elsewhere… he will stay right where he is.
He’s comfortable in Cleveland and the organization will do anything it can to keep him and there’s.
James is already the most recognizable basketball player in the world. He can get everything he wants right where he is.
In Cleveland, James is second to no one. He wouldn’t have to compete with the winningest Major League Baseball team as he would if he went to the Knicks. He wouldn’t have to compete with the most consistent winner in all of America, the Lakers, if he went to the Clippers.
As for Chicago, unless James won six championships for the Bulls, he would never surpass that town’s real legend.
All he needs in Cleveland is one. James will stay right where he is.]