Heat check

+ LeBron proves his critics right

At exactly 9:27PM EST of last night, LeBron James answered the question that the world has been waiting to hear. He decided to pack his bags and play alongside Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

I cannot say that this decision surprised me, seeing as all of his critics, myself included, have said all along that LeBron does not have what it takes to lead a team and win a title by himself. Ultimately, Miami was indeed the best place for LeBron to go and win multiple NBA championships. However, this decision will come at a steep price. Not only did LeBron?s brand take a hit last night, his legacy has been permanently stunted. He can no longer be compared to the legends of basketball such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird or even Kobe Bryant. All of these players have carried their teams to multiple championships and managed to do it with one franchise. Do not get me wrong, these players had their share of help from talented teammates, but none of them abandoned ship to go and join a team with two other NBA superstars. This was a cowardice act on LeBron?s behalf.

The Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert, hit the nail on the head when he referred to LeBron?s decision as a "shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own." Gilbert continued to criticize James almost to a fault. The Cavalier fans quickly followed suit in outrage and started to burn LeBron?s jersey in the streets. I don?t blame them.

When I look back and remember this night, I will point to how LeBron managed to go from the most beloved player in the NBA to the single most hated in a one-hour TV special titled, ?The Decision?. Maybe it was the complete lack of emotion he showed towards Cavs fans who gave him everything over the past seven seasons. On the other hand, maybe it is the simple fact that everyone finally realized how ridiculous it was that LeBron would agree to a one-hour special in which the ?chosen one? would be generous enough to help out the needy kids of Greenwich, CT (there are no needy kids Greenwich) and let everyone know where he was going. I don?t think Alex Rodriguez could have done it better himself.