Well, there are a few different things to consider when you start projecting
Lebron's plans for his future.
One thing that is first, and foremost (even before rings and iconoclastic stature):
His children!
Sure, LebRon wants championships and to cement his legacy as a legend of the game (He has half of that already... and he isn't yet 24 years old), but his children will come before his lust for rings and an iconic standing in the sports-world. Even if LeBron was willing to ignore that portion of his life (he isn't), he'd have pressure from his mother, the press (
BIG TIME)and his mother, and others that helped raise him. Could LeBron ever be on the same level as Tiger or Jordan if there was an internal problem that included his children? Not a chance! What happens when his kids are in the bronx and are exposed to the gangs and other things there?
Yeah, we have that in Cleveland, but not nearly on the level of an L.A., Miami, NY, or Chicago!
Take into account the fact that his mother doesn't like New York. Nor does his girlfriend. Doesn't anyone think that those little "voices" in his ear may play a role? An unhappy mother, forced to live in New York... or a Star Basketball player who no-longer gets to take his kids to his games? Hmmmm.
Take into account that he has built a 50,000+ SQ ft. house in Akron. Are we to believe that this is for "
later?" Why the Cavaliers' logo on his personal basketball court? Yes, it could be changed... but why do it in the first place? His son will be in school when his contract comes up... is he going to rip his son away from there, and all of his friends? From the only place he has ever known as home? Remember - The children's mother... is she going to take this well? Is LeBron's mother going to?
Yes, there are arguments for everyone of these things that I have brought-up, but there is one thing that I have not-yet said, that has no argument:
"When LeBron was at the Obama-Rally, a fan explicity said: "Don't go to New York; stay here and win."
LeBron's response:
"Don't worry, I'm not going ANYWHERE! "
And yes, he could go back on that statement. But don't you think that the media would blitz him on that? Whether or not you were at the rally, and whether or not you heard LeBron say this is irrelevent... "Some" people did. That is enough. When it is combined with his other statements, where he has "led Cavalier fans to believe" that he would be staying, that will be enough to make an ugly mark on his otherwise flawless record. In Cleveland he will have lost his "Glodliness". Remember "Kosar" and how he was a "God" here in Cleveland? Remember after he left? Nobody even remembered him. Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome,etc,etc,etc. None were on LeBron's talent level (Ramirez was closest), but it doesn't matter. There will be a "New" hero in Cleveland, and LeBron will not hold sway in his hometown any longer. If he leaves and wins a championship for another team... we may be happy for "him" but, the most he'll get from anyone is an "atta-boy", he will not get a parade, no keys to the monetown, no billboards outside his house.... his very BIG house.
Consider what he has to lose by leaving. Not what he has to gain. Think about this as if it were you. Your future wife; your son; your mother; your friends.... everyone you have ever known. Would you want to risk a true, pure iconoclastic staure, plus the adoration of the fans and media around the world... to make on city happy? One that is not yours? One, that when his career is over will forget him? Ask Patrick Ewing. He walks around in NY all the time. No body-guards...no Limos...no stature.
LeBron can only reach his goal in Cleveland. His task has been set. He either does it in Cleveland, or he will never gain his goal of being the #1 player of all time.
Even if you want to ignore everything I said here, it does not change the fact that Cleveland is the only place where he can truly make history. Everything else, and anywhere else... and it's just another sports-figure, and another championship in a long line of championships.
I just don't see it as possible, him leaving. He has too much to lose. Yet, I think it "IS" in his best interests to let the rumors continue....nothing like free publicity.