NBA: LeBron James is now a member of the Miami heat, my reaction

After two months of a dog and pony show not seen this side of Brett Favre, LeBron James finally made it official signing with the Miami Heat.  This move changes the landscape of the basketball world.  Having Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James on the same team is absolutely ridiculous.  As a Knick fan this hurts on two levels.  One, I'll never see the Knicks represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals over the course of the next decade, and two having those three guys on the same team make the sport damn near unwatchable.

As far as my thoughts, anyone who knows me knows I wanted James on the Knicks very badly.  I wear my emotions on my sleeves when it comes to sports, and I wanted James here in NY as badly as anything sports related in a long time.  I admire James' basketball talents, and believe he is the best player in the sport.  I've longed for a Knicks title, for as long as I've been a fan, and thought James could be the man to bring it here.  I thought once the Knicks cleared enough cap space to sign a second max guy, I thought there was a good chance that James would sign here.  I thought the stars would align and he would be here.

When I heard him say 'I'll take my talents to South Beach', I honestly was crushed.  I never thought I'd be that upset about it, but all possible false bravado aside, I just sat there motionless, speechless.  Then my phone starts to blow up with calls and text messages.  I'm a bit surprised, but at the same time I'm not.  They signed the same contract four years ago, and opportunities like this don't come around too often.  You don't get the opportunity to play with two guys like Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh too often. 

As far as my thoughts on the signing itself, I'm surprised he signed there.  I mean, Miami is nicknamed 'Wade County'.  For all intents and purposes, Miami is Wade's city.  LeBron, as evidenced by this spectacle, has an ego the size of China.  As much as James will be criticized for taking the alleged easy way out, and I understand that point of view, and for being Wade's "lapdog", I can certainly understand why he did it.  James has played seven years in Cleveland with little to no help.  He has gotten lambasted for not being a "winner" and a whole heap of other simple-minded nonsense.  And the same people are going to now turn around and criticize him for taking less money, playing in a poor basketball market, and putting his ego aside for the best chance to win?

As much as I don't like it, and as much as it hurt as it was a kick to the gut, I can't sit here and blast the man for wanting to give himself the best chance to win consistently for the next few years.  It would be hypocritical, as I've been lamenting for more guys to do that exact thing.  I do think this affects his legacy, but obviously judging by his decision, he doesn't care.  I'm not a fan of the move, because it makes the NBA damn near unwatchable for the near future, but I certainly can't blame James for his move. 

As far as Cleveland Cavalier fans burning his jerseys, I certainly can't blame them.  Breakups are difficult.  It's hard to remember all the good times, when your lover leaves you.  I understand their feelings.  I understand why they'd feel betrayed.  I can honestly say though, I got a well needed laugh out of it.  Thank you Cleveland fans.