LeBron’s Final Decision

The King will have a new court.

That’s right, after seven years in Cleveland, six All-Star appearances, four first team All-NBA’s, two MVP’s and a 2007 NBA Finals appearance, LeBron James is leaving the only professional city he’s ever called home.

He’ll be playing for the Miami Heat this coming fall, after his long drawn out free agency came to an end Thursday night.

In a move that was highly reported, but still shocking- especially to those in Cleveland- James announced on ESPN during his 9 p.m. EST press conference that he’d be joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach.

While the news was a surprise to some, it was hardly shocking considering that most reports had pointed towards James landing in South Beach.

Still, as the press conference drew near, many experts didn’t believe that James would go on national television and break the hearts of his fellow Ohioans.

Only he did.

In his adopted hometown of Cleveland- a mere few minutes from his true hometown of Akron- the streets flooded with angry fans, some burning James’ jerseys.

Fuel was only added to the fire late Thursday night, when Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert posted a scathing message on the team’s website, ripping his former most valuable player.

For James, who is still searching for his elusive first NBA title, the move south made sense. He’ll star in a backcourt featuring Wade, his former Olympic teammate, and the 2006 NBA Finals MVP, as well as Bosh, a 6’11 power forward and All-Star for each of the past five seasons.

With each of the three making close to a maximum contract, it is intriguing to see how team president Pat Riley fills out this roster. Only one player- Mario Chalmers- remains from last year, after forward Michael Beasley was traded to the Timberwolves late Thursday night.

In Cleveland the re-tooling process will begin, as James- the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft out of Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary High School- leaves town, in addition to last year’s starting center Shaquille O’Neal.

The lineup will look vastly different, but feature 2009 All-Star point guard Mo Williams, in addition to former All-Star Antawn Jamison, who was acquired last year at the trade deadline.

James had also considered playing in Chicago with the Bulls and their newest free agent acquisition Carlos Boozer, or in New York or New Jersey, two franchises which heavily courted him.

Still, the news here is in Miami, where the Heat will likely become the most loathed team in the NBA, but also the basketball odds on favorite to unseat the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in the process.

For now though, James is Miami.

Whether he gets his first NBA title next spring… Well only time will tell.