Lacking Leadership Skills: King James Kneels to Wade's Court!

I know the headline hurts. Picture speaks a 1000 words, look who is doing all the talking – deadcenter, Wade. Wade is holding court.

Through all of the media-generated free agent frenzy, I conjured up a vision of King James leading his colleagues to the negotiating table. I imagined Wade, Bosh and other notables lining the table, James being basketball royalty and equipped with crown, sitting solidly at the head of the table. I was fully convinced, he was spearheading and leading negotiations, “Who will join the King in a Cavalier quest for an NBA Championship.” Then suddenly, Thursday night I awoke from my dream and realized it was Wade sitting at the head of the table, championing Miami’s efforts for a NBAChampionship. Unfortunately, LeBron James exposed, lacking leadership sat teary-eyed as he announce the decision to follow a couple of buds to Miami, instantly falls his self-built kingdom.

There are many greats in the NBA, if we were to be honest, currently there are only two super-elite, powerhouse brands: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. However, James failed to leverage every ounce of his super-eliteness, athletic ability, powerhouse branding and dynamic charisma. I still find it hard to believe he couldn’t muster up enough ‘game’ to convince a major player or two to join him in Cleveland. This situation, truly boils down to the LeBron’s lack of leadership. He had the world to leverage. t’s a huge victory for the Heat, which got commitments from Wade and Bosh on Wednesday. That duo, along with James, formed the upper echelon of the most-celebrated free-agent period in league history and Wade wins the crown securing home court advantage.

In an attempt to make sense of James’ decision to join Wade and Bosh in Miami, I have to argue from his objective, which is, above all else, the desire to win a championship. “Winning is a huge thing for me,” James said from a studio in Greenwich, Conn., where an audience of kids from theBoys and Girls Club, stationed on site for his announcement to abandon Cleveland and chase dreams of winning a NBA Championship. With that said: Playing with Bosh and Wade in Miami does not guarantee him a championship. It increases his chances but if he wanted to risk everything, why didn’t he just join Kobe and the Lakers? That would’ve guaranteed him a championship. Now, I think that would be terrible mistake too. It’s all very bad for basketball and detriminal for a market like Cleveland.

Riley landed them all, a three-pack of stars to help shape his quest for a dynasty in Miami. James is even taking a pay cut to join his buds in Miami, in thinking that he will make up for the reduced salary in sponsorships, endorsements and merchandising. Meanwhile, the folk back in Ohio are burning every piece of merchandise with the mention of James. It is also very important to note that the dynamic of the LeBron James’ brand and fanbase will undoubtedly change. Sponsorships will continue, now perhaps corporate brands will become endorsers of “Three Kings” – that’s sounds so ridiculous. The most valued interest in corporate sponsorship is exclusivity, and with this decision, Lebron James has diluted his brand exclusivity. Ohio is lost, there will be a few LeBron James’ loyals and (of course) Heat fans. Miami fans will pick a favorite out of the three musketeers, and he will have to share market merchandising with both Wade and Bosh. Overall, he seems cool with a pay cut, in exchange for a chance to play with his buds in pursuit of a championship. He’s a multi-millionaire, but will definitely spend more money keeping up with theMiami Heat. As the old saying goes, “It’s not how much you make its what you keep.” Let’s start with loyalty and dignity.

The Three Amigos, Three Musketeers, Three Kings, Basketball Buds!

He stated that he plans to continue to live in Akron, Ohio. I hope that he is not that naive. As time passes, it will be interesting to witness the future of LeBron James, living the single life in Miami, out of the protection of Ohio and the city of Cleveland. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a series of unraveling, revelations regarding the man under the crown.

In conclusion, I believe he took the ‘follower’ way out, opting to trail behind a couple of buddies and kick it in Miami. This decision is like an after-school special, one for him to grow on.

Overall, bad decision which exposed Lebron James’ weakness: Leadership!

Posted via email from Picture Perfect Posterous by Tami Honesty