Is LeBron Gone?

After more than 35-years of sports anguish, many in the city of Cleveland thought the last-standing drought without a major sports title would be over. The fans of Cleveland could not have scripted it better themselves entering the NBA playoffs for the Cavaliers. Since the Cavs were ousted in last year's Eastern Conference Finals by the Orlando Magic in six-games, they added the veteran pieces since last year in Shaquille O'Neal and Antwan Jamison, coasted through the regular season and earned home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, and had LeBron James repeat as the league MVP. However, LeBron and the Sixth City have made a prematurely exited from the 2010 NBA Playoffs thanks to the most storied franchise in NBA history, the Boston Celtics. How could it possibly get worse for the most pain-ridden city in professional sports? Well, just as the city of Cleveland has had to endure Jim Brown's early retirement, Elway's drive, Jordan's shot, and Jose Mesa's blown save; it may also have its last memory of LeBron in a Cavs jersey when he removed it amidst his walk of shame into the visitor's locker room.

Will he leave?

Will he stay?

If he does leave, where will he go?

Though sports talk most assuredly will be dominated by speculation of LeBron's next move for weeks to come, let's go ahead and take a quick look at the two most likely destinations for Mr. James to leave Cleveland for.

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New York Knicks

Speculation has been made about what kind of bid the New York Knicks, a team that has lacked a superstar-power since Patrick Ewing's departure, would make for King James's services for nearly a year and a half now.

Positives:

• Second largest media market in the nation, the place to go for ad deals, and, as Frank Sinatra said, "If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere."
• The Knicks will likely throw as much money at LeBron as possible and, at the same time, have the financial flexibility to add another all-star caliber free agent such as Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, or Joe Johnson.

Negatives:

• The reason the Knicks can add so many pieces is because they essentially have no core nucleus returning and is a franchise that has been the laughing stock of the league nearly a decade.
• Criticism is a type of adversity LeBron James has yet to face on a consistent basis and the New York media and fans alike would give him a heavy dose on any slip-up he would make in the big apple.
• Spike Lee. Need I say more?

Verdict

Although the challenge of taking on the toughest city in the world may be something LeBron may spark his interest, it is not his best option. The Knicks have no significant pieces in-house to create a championship team, even with two superstars on the team. If LeBron were to Do the Right Thing (Yes, that was a Spike Lee reference) for his career, then he would stay from the Empire City.

Chicago Bulls

Over the last few weeks, much more noise has built up about the Bulls, who's nucleus that already includes the immensely talented Derrick Rose and always obnoxious Joakim Noah, are looking to add a superstar like LeBron James or Dwayne wade this offseason. Chicago has desperately been looking for the heir to Michael Jordan's throne for some time now and definitely have their opportunity this summer to add that type of player.

Positives:

• The aforementioned group of young players has promise to be an instant title contender with the presence of LeBron James.
• LeBron would have an opportunity to play for the same team as the greatest to ever play the game and his childhood idol, Michael Jordan.

Negatives:

• Possibly the biggest obstacle for the Chicago Bulls may be the current coaching situation. Since they fired Vinny del Negro, there has been speculation aplenty about potential candidates for the coaching vacancy. Names that range from Kentucky's John Calipari to Byron Scott to the great Phil Jackson have been rumored, but no clear candidate has been named.
• The shadow of #23. LeBron already is constantly compared to the greatest of all-time without ever dawning the Bulls jersey. Would LeBron want this type of added pressure?

Verdict

Whether the nostalgia of Michael Jordan would make a positive impact on his decision is unclear, but the Bulls seem to be the team most ready to compete for a championship with the addition of LeBron James. Although, who and when they choose to fill their coaching vacancy may be the bottom line for whether he comes to the Windy City. If they quickly add a proven name in a timely fashion, the Chicago has as good a chance as anyone to pay a king's ransom for the most talented free agent to hit the market since Shaq.

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Whether James leaves still remains to be seen, but what many people fail to remember is most saw his return to the Cavs as a foregone conclusion following this season until game 5 of the series with Boston. Cleveland will most certainly will and should do everything within their power to keep its greatest player in franchise history from walking away in the limelight of his career. However, if the hometown hero decides to leave Cleveland, this could be the most emotional departure of a sports figure since Wayne Gretzky was traded by the Edmonton Oilers in 1988.