Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

The day after the draft ended, there was still some time before free agency began.

But the Seattle SuperSonics' verbal agreement with Chris Bosh for a four-year, $60 million deal still shocked the league.

"A team that won 73 games and lost 9 in the regular season, and went undefeated in the playoffs to win the championship, has signed an all-star power forward in his prime while retaining their top three players. What force on Earth could stop Frye from winning his seventh championship in eight years?"

The question posed by The New York Times was thought-provoking.

In time, it would prove that this world is balanced.

When a force, or rather an ambition, becomes too strong, there is always a force that emerges to balance it.

LeBron James was quite satisfied with his current position.

He was about to make a major decision, and many people were waiting.

At this moment, James was shooting a commercial in Los Angeles when Nike arranged for a writer to join him.

That man was J.R. Moehringer, an expert in profiling sports stars, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and he had written a bestselling autobiography for Andre Agassi.

Nike hoped Moehringer would stay close to James before he announced his decision and write an article about the process.

Having been recently backstabbed by Buzz Bissinger, James was not enthusiastic about interacting with writers, but he accepted the arrangement as it was set by the company.

Today, James wore a sleeveless shirt and sunglasses.

Moehringer asked, "Do you feel pressure about the approaching decision?"

James replied, "On the contrary, this is a very exciting moment for me."

Moehringer's gaze flickered with uncertainty.

This 24-year-old superstar seemed very mature for his age.

The way he handled pressure didn't seem appropriate for someone of his age.

It reminded Moehringer of a quote from the 19th-century journalist Margaret Fuller: I knew from an early age that the only thing that mattered in life was growth.

But was LeBron really mature enough to cope with this pressure?

It wasn't just external pressure, but also internal pressure. LeBron had lived in Ohio State his entire life, his home was here, his core group was here, yet six consecutive years of failure had made it clear to him that to win the championship, he would have to go somewhere else and play with other stars.

So he said to Moehringer, "My feelings for Cleveland won't affect my final decision."

Then, Moehringer wanted to know if James's influential friends had an impact on his decision.

James denied it.

Moehringer probed further, "How do you view the criticism of your performance in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals?"

"I understand their thoughts," James said, and after pursing his lips, he gave Moehringer a surprising answer, "My performances over the years have spoiled many people."

Moehringer could be sure that this man was not as mature as he appeared to be.

Did he know the impact that statement would have?

Realizing there was a problem with his words, James immediately backpedaled, "What I mean is, I love the Cavaliers fans as much as I love my family. Even my family gets spoiled by what I do on and off the court."

Then, James characterized those who criticized him as "people spoiled by his exceptional performances over the last six years," to which he expressed bewilderment, "It keeps me humble because I understand my background, know what my mother went through, and I never get too excited about my stardom or the things I'm capable of doing. My mom always says, my friends too, 'You're a level-headed person; you don't need us to tell you what to do.'"

"You seem like the opposite of Frye," Moehringer observed, "Frye often forgets things in front of the media, and when the media points out a mistake, he thanks them."

Moehringer didn't bring up Yu Fei without reason; he knew the name meant a lot to James.

Sure enough, when the name was mentioned, a subtle expression crossed James's face.

James said nothing, just pushed his sunglasses up to his forehead.

Years of writing articles for sports stars helped Moehringer recognize that great athletes are always driven by anger; Tyson was notoriously angry, Jordan played with insane energy, Fei turned anger into hatred, and Brady, who faced an unprecedented low in the draft, wanted to prove everyone wrong.

But had James ever been angry?

Moehringer asked, "Many believe you don't have the killer instinct like Frye, and you've said that you didn't want to be that kind of player."

"Now, have your views changed?"

"Yes, I think there's been a change, because for the first time in years, I rejected my mom's advice," said James, "A few days ago, I got a tattoo on my back."

Moehringer inquired, "What's written on it?"

"Chosen 1."

Besides the Cavaliers, five other teams were vigorously pursuing James.

These were the Bulls, Miami Heat, Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Lakers.

First, James rejected the Bulls because they weren't competitive enough.

Next were the Knicks, and while playing at Madison Square Garden felt great, when James asked the Knicks' management how they planned to create salary cap space for two additional star players, they fell silent.

The Brooklyn Nets had minority owner Jay-Z play the emotional card to persuade James.

But James had already decided that he would choose his next home based on reality. He wouldn't allow personal feelings to affect the matter.

So, the Brooklyn Nets were not a possible destination for the King.

Then there was the Miami Heat.

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After trading McGrady, the Miami Heat had the cap space for two All-Stars, but James and Wade weren't close enough, lacking the bonds and tracks from their time with the national team. When Riley laid out the rings in front of James, asking him to make a decision.

James said, "The Lakers have more rings."

July 3rd, 11 a.m.

James and his entourage entered the Bass Building.

It would be his last decisive negotiation.

Today's opponents in the negotiation were Lakers' owner Jerry Buss, head coach Phil Jackson, general manager Mitch Kupchak, vice president Jim Buss, and Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

"LeBron, before this negotiation begins, I want you to understand," Old Buss stood up and said, "your main goal, is the only goal the Lakers have had for 60 years of team-building."

James locked eyes with Old Buss as if they were the only two people in the room.

"That's my only goal as well," James said.

It was then Jackson spoke up, "LeBron, we believe you and Kobe can do some special things together."

James agreed.

Then, Kupchak talked about the team's long-term objectives and conducted a brief video presentation.

Playing for the Lakers, with their great history and unparalleled market, would revitalize James's already withering commercial value.

James's camp was very clear on this.

But the decision wasn't easy to make.

James didn't know how he and Kobe would get along and what their positions would be.

Who would be the first man on the team? Who could speak loudly in the locker room? Who would be the leader? Whose opinion would prevail when there was disagreement?

And did Kobe have the same level of dedication as he did?

"I guess you'll have to meet Kobe before you can make a decision."

Magic Johnson, who had been warming up the conversation, suddenly said.

James replied, "It's a significant decision; we should indeed meet."

Three hours passed.

Now it was 2 p.m., and Magic Johnson said to James, "LeBron, you can go meet with Kobe now."

James was stunned.

"He's waiting for you downstairs."

Nike's nightmare was having their two most marketable stars play on the same team.

This would create extremely fierce internal competition in the marketing market.

However, with Yu Fei determined to stay with Reebok and the Supersonics bringing in Bosh, aiming for a three-peat, internal competition was no longer an issue.

The Chosen One's sales were expected to surpass 2 billion US Dollars this year.

It was a super-brand with commercial potential and growth that could rival that of AJ.

If Yu Fei won his seventh championship, his honors would surpass Jordan's, thereby formalizing his ascension to godhood, whereupon his brand would create sales myths like AJ's in the last century.

To contain Yu Fei was to contain The Chosen One and Reebok's development.

Even if it meant letting 23 and 24 join forces, it would be acceptable to Nike.

But this still required a tacit understanding between James and Kobe.

As expected, James found Kobe downstairs and they found a nearby restaurant.

"Instead of a teammate, I'd rather you were my opponent," Kobe said, "but I know I can't fight Yu Fei, KD, and Brandon Roy alone."

James made a joke, "If I join the Lakers, No. 44 will hate me just as much as he hates you."

"He knocked me out of the playoffs three times; do you think I don't hate him?" Kobe retorted, "Or do you think your hate for him isn't enough to join us? Don't you think twenty-eight straight losses are enough?"

Kobe was serious and earnest; he knew very well that to defeat the Supersonics, they needed a superstar who could orchestrate everything, allowing him to focus on scoring.

James was the only choice.

His sharp retort left James with no mood for small talk; he knew Kobe was straightforward like that.

"Give me a reason," James said, "I've been teammates with Shaq, and, fundamentally, I think he's a good person. I want to know how you, unable to get along with Shaq, will join forces with me to defeat No. 44."

Kobe replied, "Unless you're as lazy as that bastard, you shouldn't have two concerns. I can give you two reasons."

"Rip has agreed to join."

"I'm the best scorer in the world, and you're the most versatile player in the world. With Rip, we'll be the strongest trio ever."

That day, James didn't give the Lakers any promises.

But that night, he sent Kobe a message.

"When Rip is announced, that's when we say R.I.P to No. 44."