Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: Top 5 Free Agency Moves In NBA History

By Ray Petree

Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left), Kevin Durant (center), and general manager Bob Myers (right) pose for a photo during a press conference after Durant signed with the Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left), Kevin Durant (center), and general manager Bob Myers (right) pose for a photo during a press conference after Durant signed with the Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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LeBron James to Miami (2010)

I find that all sports lists are generally rather anti-climactic. Otherwise, the writer is just fishing for outrageous responses. With that said, however, who else could have been No. 1?

Where do I even begin with LeBron’s departure from Cleveland? What storyline should I lead with? The fact he chose to announce his departure at a Boys and Girls Club as a charity event, broadcasting it on live television?

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Or maybe the fact that he was born and raised in Akron, Ohio? I suppose the fact that he was going to Miami to play with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh matters too.

LeBron James was/is a once-in-a-lifetime talent, blessed with a unique combination of unimaginable athleticism and a Einstein-like basketball IQ. When you imagine crafting the perfect player, LeBron is the product.

But, like the aforementioned Moses Malone’s tenure in Houston, playing in Cleveland left a lot to be desired. You just can’t win championships with teammates like Mo Williams, Eric Snow, Drew Gooden, Delonte West, Anderson Varejao or Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

So, we’ve established an upgrade was necessary, and that’s true. From there, the subsequent decisions made by LeBron James could be, and deserved to be, questioned both morally and ethically.

  1. Morally: LeBron was leaving his was leaving his hometown of Cleveland. A city plagued by sports tragedy after sports tragedy.
  2. Ethically: LeBron was joining a team consisting of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Logistically speaking, Wade and LeBron were two of the three best players in the world, and Bosh was easily top 20.  

Obviously, we all know LeBron realized waiting for the Cavaliers to align him with legitimate talent was like waiting for paint to dry. Insufferable. What was shocking about “The Decision” was how unprecedented a move like that was. Of course, basketball fans were sure to waive a red flag, questioning the move on an ethical level.

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The common comparison fabricated was (of course) to Jordan, who didn’t team up with Barkley and a lesser franchise player to win his rings. And, former NBA players were sure to voice their opinions as well.

Debating how ethically or morally sound the decision was is pointless, though. How effective was the move in the end?

Now that’s an easy answer. Four straight finals appearances, two NBA championships, two more MVP awards and invaluable experience to carry back home to Cleveland.

You can knock LeBron for leaving Cleveland, or his lackluster performance against Dallas in the 2011 NBA Finals, or his distaste for sleeves, or whatever really.

must read: NBA: Our End-All Top 10 Players Of All-Time Ranking

You know the deal, etc etc. But, the good far outweighs the bad. And, moving to Miami was the start of his winning ways. The true catalyst for the legendary body of work he has already strung together.  

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