But in an ESPN prime-time spectacle on Thursday, we all witnessed James announce that he was joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat, thus conceding that he couldn't win a championship on his own.
Let's be real. James was not going to re-sign with his "hometown" Cleveland Cavaliers. Last year, the organization surrounded him with the best supporting cast to date, and the team finished with an NBA-best 62-21 record. Yet, the Cavs were bounced from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Celtics, significantly underachieving.
James even leaked a quote this week saying, "I don't want to be 31 years old, with bad knees and no title," referring to remaining in Cleveland.
He wasn't going to the Clippers or Nets either. The current state of those franchises were too much of a rebuilding process and a risk that even a max contract couldn't buy.
So it truly came down to the Chicago Bulls, the New York Knicks, and the Miami Heat.
The Bulls went out and signed Carlos Boozer this week to entice James' decision, as well as plan "B" in the case James signed elsewhere. Joining up-and-coming stars like Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah was an attractive option, but number 23's shoes were too big to fill. James would have to win seven titles to outdo Michael Jordan's legacy...a task too tall even for a "King."
So, when the Knicks signed Amar'e Stoudemire, I really thought LeBron was going to New York. Stoudemire seemed like a good sidekick for James to make the Knicks competitive again in 2010-2011, laying the foundation this year until snagging a Carmelo Anthony and/or Tony Parker in next summer's free agency frenzy to complete the puzzle.
Maybe I'm biased being from New York, which has been starving for a competitive NBA team again. But it would have been his team. Madison Square Garden would have been his stage. The Big Apple could have been his city.
The same way Mark Messier brought the New York Rangers their first Stanley Cup in 54 years, LeBron could have been the Knicks' savior.
And New Yorkers were ready for him. They've been patiently waiting and counting down until July 1st, 2010. But it wasn't meant to be.
And don't think this is the same as when veterans Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce and became the "Big Three" in Beantown en route to an NBA title in 2008. This is bigger than that.
James and Wade each averaged 29.7 and 26.6 points per game last season, respectively. They are two young studs in the prime of their careers. Add Bosh in this "Miami Thrice," and something's gotta give.
Who gets the the last shot? It's all smiles in South Beach now, but one way or another, someone won't be happy.
This is no different than Alex Rodriguez joining Derek Jeter and the Evil Empire to win his World Series ring. But an insecure A-Rod was okay with joining Jeter's team.
I just never thought LeBron would accept this supporting role.
As Charles Barkley said yesterday, "LeBron will never be 'the guy' in Miami."
Only time will tell if LeBron gets his elusive ring with the Heat.
But even then, he'll always be Wade's sidekick in South Beach.
