The Big Three

 

                This topic is not so much a controversial topic, however it is an interesting one nonetheless.  The combining of arguably three of the most dynamic, athletic, and well known players in the entire National Basketball Association on one team without a doubt raised eyebrows.  The summer of 2010 was known as the most potent free agency period in the history of the game.  However, in July, it changed and is now known as the summer that put together possibly the greatest NBA team in history.  The Miami Heat were beneficiaries of not only resigning their superstar and finals MVP Dwyane Wade, but also the signing of prolific scorer and athlete LeBron James, as well as signing an all-star power forward from the Toronto Raptors Chris Bosh.  The commissioner of the league David Stern was a bit skeptical at first for the well being of the NBA.  Having these superstars on one roster only is almost pure domination.  However, there was nothing that he could do and the three were signed to contracts and were the newest members of the Miami Heat. 

                A glaring question when rumors began to float around was that how were the Heat going to pay these players?  These players all had one thing in common.  That was the desire to not only win one NBA championship, but to win multiple ones.  As a result, they all decided to take pay cuts in their contracts in order to make these signings possible.  For LeBron James, this decision was not so simple.  While being courted by multiple different teams he never gave any indication as to where he was leaning on choosing.  Unlike any other athlete in sports history, he held a press conference in order to make his decision.  In his previous city, he was not only an athlete.  He brought hope to the entire city of Cleveland as a member of the cavaliers. He was their states only hope in bringing a championship to the city, and also economic boom to the city.  His play was so electrifying that it brought business to the entire city.  Fans would shell out ridiculous amounts of money to see him play.  Jersey sales were through the roof keeping Cleveland afloat during these tough economic times.  James’ decision to leave Cleveland and play in Miami literally brought riots throughout the streets.  There were burnings of his jersey, tearing down of billboards and absolute chaos.  Owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and founder of Fathead Dan Gilbert was furious about his decision.  As a result, he lowered the price of all LeBron James Fatheads to an astounding $17.41 to resemble the birth year of American traitor Benedict Arnold.  This is not a child we are talking about here.  This is a multi-million dollar business man with a multi-million dollar corporation.  Gilbert also made it known to the press that his Cavaliers would win an NBA championship before James was able to win one with his new teammates in South Beach.  However, this was already proven false due to the winning of the 2012 NBA championship by the Miami Heat while Cleveland remains at the bottom of the league mainly due to the departure of James.  The Heat look to be making a prominent run to repeat as champions this year and are currently riding a 27 game win streak which is 6 wins away from the all time record set by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1971-1972 season.