If winning comes first, LeBron comes here

Regardless of what occurs from this point forward, it sure has been fun watching the NBA media chase its collective tail since the Cavs went belly-up against the Celtics.

The Summer of LeBron began seven weeks early as that same night speculation began to fly, rumors were floated and theories tossed about regarding James' future.

The King was the man who would be - if you were keeping score - a Bull, Knick, Mav, Clip, Net, Rocket and Heat player before it was over. Everything, actually, but a King.

And little has changed in the 49 days since, except that he's also been linked to nearly every potential free agent, including Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Carlos Boozer, Dirk Nowitzki, and even for the King, a Yao Ming.

What's so comical about it all is LeBron doesn't know himself, so how in the name of Ron Mercer and all that's holy, could anyone else?

What we also don't know, and perhaps what James has also failed to pinpoint, is what is most important to the man at the advanced age of 25.

After all, he may yet decide to sign with the team no one ever mentions, and that's the Cleveland Cavaliers.

There is evidence to suggest he might be unable to leave home, and in that case he stays in Cleveland and tries again.

Maybe he'll remain for a couple years while the Nets get their act - and arena - together in Brooklyn, and that would buy James some time before he has to make the call.

Obviously, if winning is what matters most, the Bulls can make the best case, but while some pay it lip service, not everyone is as concerned with titles as you may think.

Not everyone has the hunger - the innate need - of Michael Jordan, a guy who would eat his child's pet hamster if he thought it would further his championship chase.

Besides, LeBron doesn't have to win tomorrow. He's got time to make that happen before he's over the hill, if he so chooses.

The guy never went to college, so maybe he's thinking it wouldn't be such a bad life to be 25, single, famous, worth hundreds of millions and living on South Beach.

That sounds a little like college, well, except for the being 25, famous, worth hundreds of millions and the life on the beach.

I felt like a millionaire if I had two bucks for crazy hour on Friday and didn't freeze to death on the crawl back to the frat house.

But LeBron might be sick of the weather up here, and down in Miami he'd never have to worry about being cold - or lonely.

Besides, the whole certainty in NBA circles that Wade and James can't coexist or win together in Miami is ridiculous, and anyone who's watched Wade consistently in Miami - or in international play - knows that.

Wade's all about winning and can be completely unselfish when necessary.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have the biggest stage, if bright lights and big endorsements matter most, while the Mavs and Nets have billionaire owners willing to do everything and anything to make LeBron more wealthy off the court.

The Clippers - if David Geffen takes over - will have a billionaire owner who can hand him Hollywood.

But we don't know what really matters most for James today, and there's no indication he has figured that out himself.

So every World Wide Wonk with a "source" here and a "guy" there knows exactly where LBJ is going and with whom he will travel.

I can't make that claim. My guess is he either stays home, maybe for a short contract, or he comes to Chicago, where he's not afraid of Jordan's statue, but rather he worships it.

But I wish I had a dollar for every time I was asked about it, and another dollar for every time I said, "How can I possibly know when LeBron doesn't know?"

With all those dollars I'd have enough to sign James right now, full boat, and enough left over for LeBron's first mate.

brozner@dailyherald.com

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