The Norsk Defender

i love LBJ

As a sports fan, the entire free agency this summer has been entertaining to watch. Almost unreal in its ups and downs, speculation, and uncertainty. The fact that some of the best players in basketball today, who happen to be good buddies, have been able to pick and choose where they want to go play and thus completely change the landscape of the NBA, is awesome.  Its like something out of a video game where you “trade” players to make an allstar team for your franchise. I loved it.  

But I think what is lost in all of this spectacle, is that it appears friendship has won out over money, individual legacy, and the traditional ego-centric athlete action. Yes, “The Decision” show was ego-centric, unnecessary, and over the top, but the arguably ‘best basketball player on the planet’ decided to forgo any individual legacy, ego, and money that would have come with staying in Cleveland or going to any other team, to go play with some buddies because it would be fun, and oh yeah, they could be really good. In recent years the lure of money and endorsements has typically dominated the discussion, but not here. Here, three friends just wanted to play together, period.

So while many fans are angry by the decision, by the way it was announced and handled, and by the bad “lesson” it is sending to our kids, lets not forget that the traditional lure of mega-money and endorsements in an ever-increasing business environment that is professional sports, lost out this free agency. Lets not forget the motivation and prospect of simply “having fun” that won out this free agency. And please, lets not forget the amazing display of friendship, a value that so many people hold dear, that won out this free agency.

As a LeBron fan and a fan of sports, I have loved it, and cant wait to see the Three Amigos have some fun down in South Beach.