What’s Next for LeBron?

As Michael Buffer would introduce, “The Reigning Defending Three-Time Eastern Conference Champions...Your Cleveland C A V A L I E R S!” And as long as the greatest player on the planet, LeBron James, is wearing the Wine and Gold the Cavs will be relevant and contending for NBA Championships.

The bigger question is will he be wearing those colors after this season? Inquiring minds would like to know.

However, for now Cavs fans better learn to appreciate and relish the season that began this week because in reality that is all they have, and then sweat bullets when the season is over when Bron Bron will decide to opt out of the final year of his contract.

Now entering into his 15th season and having shattered most of Michael Jordan’s playoff scoring records and after this season will become the only player in NBA history to play in 13 NBA All Star Games, LeBron will be joined by former MVPs Derrick Rose and his BF Dwayne Wade on the retooled Cavs.

The 32- year old LeBron, is the most socially aware athlete since Muhammad Ali protesting against police brutality and openly criticizing President Trump at every opportunity.

While his zeal for becoming the greatest basketball player with the most NBA titles is still at the forefront of his lofty goals, his primary focus is his doting three children who are growing up in one of the most racially divisive eras of our time.

Eventually, like with all of foregone greats, the ball will stop bouncing and when it does the brilliant one want to have already decided where their next step will be and how to frame their legacy.

Michael Jordan’s legacy was already confirmed when he was just a shell of himself finishing with the Wizards, Kobe Bryant score 60 points in his final game and already had five ring but its was over before then and while his legacy is clear as a player off the court he is searching to find the what’s next.

Magic Johnson didn’t have a choice when he was forced to abruptly retire after contracting the virus HIV, but has rebounded post NBA to become one of the most beloved sports figures ever.

So, one can see why this season could possibly be the last one for LeBron in a Cleveland uniform.

Long gone is the nostalgia of the kid from Akron being selected No. 1 by the hometown team and leading them to their first NBA title in franchise history.

Forgiven, but not forgotten is LeBron leaving the hometown as a free agent to join the Miami Heat and Dan Gilbert pinning a ominous letter which contained overt hints of racism.

Those burning jersey fans not withstanding stung, but more than anything crushed his wife who is also a local Northeast Ohio girl.

LeBron James shared his distain for that letter and also indicated that he owes nobody anything.

Then again LeBron told reporters during the Cavs media day that he’s not changed his mind from wanting finishing his career with the team that drafted him, but he came short of assuring that.

It’s rather unfortunate that this cloud will be hovering above the season more that Kid Kyrie Irving’s trade to the Boston Celtics, but this comes with the territory when you have the athlete version of EF Hutton on your squad.

Quietly, the Cavs are preparing for life beyond James as indicated by the trade with the Celtics where the obtained the coveted Brooklyn Nets lottery pick.

This is a really good Cavs basketball team with a second unit that boast of JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert, Kyle Korver and Channing Frye.

Gone is Podcast star Richard Jefferson who was shipped to Atlanta for cap space, but the primary concern for the Cavs will be how soon will this team come together and how long can you keep both injury prone Rose and Wade upright.

Coach Tyron Lue decided early to roll with the Rose and Wade over the holder overs from the championship team, which is understandable if it works out.

An Eastern Conference title is the immediate goal and then the Cavs go as far as LeBron can take them until next time, if there is one.