Options aplenty for LeBron
As the world awaits The Decision II, we wonder about the options LeBron James has for next season.
The NBA options are obvious:
Houston: Adding LeBron would give the Rockets the third star required under the current “How to build an NBA champion” blueprint. Houston came the closest to dethroning the four-star Warriors this season, but when one of its stars (Chris Paul) was injured in the Western Conference finals, the spare parts were unable to pick up the slack in the final two games.
Philly: Like Boston, a team with loads of young talent. Maybe LeBron could help the young Sixers — or just be part of the dysfunction.
The Lakers: Unless he could attract enough other stars to take over that team for a few years, LeBron’s best bet might be to stay in Cleveland, surround himself with players who know what the score is, add a player or two who can be counted on to score consistently, and go after the Warriors that way.
But what if LeBron figures he’s done all he can do in the NBA, and wants to try something else?
Here’s some other options:
Genesis Prep: The tiny, private Christian school in Post Falls finds a way to get LeBron into school for one year on a seldom-invoked LBJ-23 waiver.
The Idaho High School Activities Association scrambles to put together an emergency board meeting — in the back of the restaurant at JB’s in Meridian — to decide what the heck to do about LeBron. The IHSAA has already voted to ban F-1 (international) student-athletes from the postseason, now they’ve got to come up with a ruling to appease the other 1A Division II schools worried about the impact a four-time NBA MVP could have on their state tournament.
But until then, imagine the Runnin’ Jaguars, led by LeBron and Jonny Hillman in the backcourt and Kon Ajang in the pivot, rolling into Harrison Flats in early February for a late-season North Star League showdown with the Kootenai Warriors.
Spokane Indians: Since he’s being compared to Michael Jordan in just about every way imaginable, LeBron might as well give baseball a try.
The Indians don’t need a whole lot of help attracting fans to Avista Stadium, but the sight of a 6-foot-8 athlete trying to hit short-season class A curveballs might encourage a few more folks to come out to the ballpark on the nights Avista wasn’t already being packed by promotions of fireworks and dollar hot dogs.
Perhaps A-Rod might stop by to offer LeBron some batting tips on his next visit to the area.
Or ...
Seattle Mariners: If you think he’s an unknown as a hitter, imagine LeBron on the bump? He could probably throw hard enough to give the M’s an inning or two of middle relief. If that were true, he would fit right in with their current player acquisition philosophy — bring in pitchers few people have seen before, and watch them get people out while the other teams try to figure out what they’re throwing. Then, once the other teams figure the pitcher out, the M’s either 1) move the pitcher; 2) lose the pitcher to injury; or 3) move the pitcher just in time for the new team to discover the guy’s hurt.
Cleveland Browns: People keep saying what a heckuva tight end the 250-pound LeBron would make. But naw, we wouldn’t wish that on LeBron. Not with this franchise.
Gonzaga: The Zags, who are already being discussed as a potential national champion, have been begging for a graduate transfer for next season. LeBron, of course, never played in college.
But the Zags apply for, and receive, a one-year Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield) waiver for the 33-year-old James. While Melon was a diver, James agrees to take a shorter plunge in Spokane.
With LeBron teaming with Josh Perkins, Killian Tillie, Rui Hachimura and Zach Norvell Jr. in the starting lineup, the Zags take their Inland Northwest faithful on another entertaining ride. The Bulldogs once again romp through the West Coast Conference, once again are rumored to be interested in other conferences that will challenge them more, and once again bow out in the NCAA Tournament at the hands of an ACC team.
Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.