by Marcus Brooks

Created on: December 24, 2008

Two days ago, ESPN analyst and sportswriter, Stephen A. Smith declared.

"LeBron James is headed to the Big Apple! He won't sign an extension when his contract is due in 2010!"

The fans in Cleveland, already disgusted by their sorry, Brown (football) team, ran to find cliffs and rooftops to leap from.

The news sickened all of those, in Ohio, who bought Number 23 jerseys. Despite the lucrative, rookie contract with incentives and perks, James apparently wanted to see "Cats" and visit Times Square. This year appeared to be the Cavaliers last and only chance as legitimate, title contenders. He reached the playoffs in three, consecutive seasons. Last season, he enjoyed his first 50-win season and battled the eventual champion, Boston Celtics in a gritty, physical and emotional seven-game war!

They shouldn't be surprised. The NBA (National Basketball Association) anointed James as "king" during his sophomore, high school at Saint Vincent-Mary Catholic school. ESPN showed his high school games on prime time television. Nike shoes offered a 17 year-old kid $100 million to endorse their products. The basketball world created a monster. That monster has eaten holes into consumers' wallets.

During the Beijing Olympics (2008), James said he would consider playing in Europe for $50 million a year. Given America's economy, international, shipping heirs dangled their wealth before our prize athletes like ripe carrots to starving mules. We shouldn't be surprised. We've done the same things to Second and Third World countries for decades.

And now, we have that game being played on us! What would our basketball brand become if Kobe, LeBron and D-Wade decided to take Spanish lessons in Barcelona, Italian culinary in Rome and Greek literature in Athens? Our overall game would be destroyed as we know it.

Cleveland has bigger problems on their plate beside LeBron. They have maintain his happiness and the integrity of the team. They picked up a scoring, point guard from Milwaukee named Maurice Williams. Last season, they traded for shooting guard, Delonte West and power forward, Ben Wallace. This additions contributed mightily to their recent 22-5 breakout start. James has the early vote for Most Valuable Player (MVP) by his averages of 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists a game.

If the Cavaliers find a way to re-sign "The Chosen One" and win the Larry O'Brien trophy, we should all be surprised.

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