FanNation - The Republic of Sport

In response to:
LeBron teases Knicks, Nets fans
During his tour of Manhattan, LeBron James had fun teasing Knicks and Nets fans yesterday about the prospect of playing in the Big Apple in 2010 when he becomes a free agent. When asked his favorite city, King James listed New York No. 1. But when asked his favorite borough, James said Brooklyn, where the Nets plan to open shop in 2010. Knicks president Donnie Walsh's every move is designed to make sure they are enough under the cap to go after James as a free agent. The hiring of the popular D'Antoni was done partly to entice King James. The Nets are in better position for now after dealing Richard Jefferson Thursday and with minority owner Jay-Z one of James' best friends.

I'm glad to see that LeBron loves my hometown, and my borough in particular (BROOKLYN, NEW YORK FOR LIFE!!) but he will never suit up for the Knicks or Nets. First of all, I am tired of the Jay-Z angle. Yes, Shawn Carter is a minority owner in the New Jersey Nets but he's never at Nets games. When he is in New York you can often find him and Beyonce sitting courtside at Knick games in Madison Square Garden. He spends a lot more time socializing with the courtside elite at the Garden, then he ever does at the swamps of the Meadowlands. So much time that if the Nets ever do make it to Brooklyn, I doubt that will change. I am sure the Brooklyn Nets will become a novelty in New York, but like all things New Yorkers will eventually get used to the idea of a team in Brooklyn and shift their focus somewhere else.

Second, I do not see the Brooklyn Nets as something that will be established by 2010. Owner Bruce Ratner has a grand vision of building luxury towers, and office buildings (the concept is titled Atlantic Yards) in an area that is now a Long Island Railroad depot, but the residents of the community are vehemently against the upbuilding that Ratner plans for their community. The area surrounding the proposed Atlantic Yards, is inhabited by young urban professionals who see their neighborhood as an oasis away from the crime, the traffic, and all the other ills that are in New York City and are not willing to stand aside and see not only a massive complex erected, but also face the prospects of thousands of people invading their space for half the year. That is why the residents of the community, have delayed the building of the complex by legally challenging the process of eminent domain in court. They argue that their land has been illegally seized by the City who are in cahoots with Ratner for the construction. I honestly believe that they are correct, but their cases have been constantly dismissed. Another lawsuit was recently thrown out of court by a Brooklyn judge, but of course another lawsuit is forthcoming which has pushed a complex that should have been completed for 2010, to at least 2012.

Finally, if I am LeBron James why would I leave Cleveland? LeBron was born just down the road in Akron, Ohio and it was in Akron playing for Saint Vincent's-Saint Mary's that he entered our collective conciousness. It's in Akron, where he has built a palace of a residence with indoor courts, pools, clubs, and barbershop. He has everything he ever needs inside of his own home. Why would he give that up to live in New York for half the year. I know he loves the Yankees, loves Jay-Z and the Roc-A-Fella camp but that would not be enough for me to leave that palace. It also cannot be for marketing reasons. He's made a HELL of alot of money playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. I cannot see how trading in Cleveland for New York would make him that much richer. The world is a smaller place now. I understand how the NBA always desired it's stars to play in a large media market because of television exposure, but now thanks to cable, and the internet you can play anywhere and make your name.

So LeBron, thanks for the love but I'm one New York City representative who is not expecting you to come here. You don't have to. You have done well enough playing for your hometown. So, keep it that way.