So, we’re about a week removed from “Decisiongate,” when LeBron James decided to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami “SuperHeat.” The triumvirate in Miami has its sights on ruling the NBA for years to come. But what if he didn’t leave Cleveland, or decided to go somewhere different?
The ground rules for my simulations are as follows: The Lakers won the 2010 NBA title, Boozer will go to the Bulls and Amar’e will go to the Knicks. Wade will stay with the Heat, and Bosh will go to Miami with him. All things will be as they were in the hours before LeBron made his decision public. Simulations will be run as if LeBron signed with the Heat, Knicks or Cavs.
Reality: LeBron joins the Miami Heat
With three superstars in Miami, NBA 2K10 gives them a league-topping 97 rating, while the spurned Cavs have a league-worst 72.
The Heat finished the season with 60 wins and had the best record in the East. LeBron won both the MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year, and the entire triumvirate was named to the All-NBA 1st Team.
The Heat didn’t make things easy for themselves in the playoffs, with all their series going six or seven games. They took on our Oklahoma City Thunder in the finals, finally winning the series in Game 6, 109-76. LeBron won his first ring and got the Finals MVP in the process.
Loyalty: The King stays home
If James decided to remain in Cleveland, his Cavs would be well within contention, though less proficient than last year at 48-34, winning their division and getting the East’s second seed.
LeBron and the Cavs start slow in the playoffs but improve quickly, sweeping the Denver Nuggets in the Finals. LeBron wins the league MVP, the Finals MVP and the eternal love of the state of Ohio.
Fame: James’ ‘Empire State of Mind’
Given how the Knicks visibly improved even without LeBron in the other simulations, it’d be reasonable to expect that he’d make the Knicks instant contenders. Despite Amar’e being a walking injury most of the year, James got the Knicks to 50 wins, the third seed in the East and won himself another MVP award. LeBron’s Knicks went down in seven to the Nets in the second round of the playoffs, who went on to win the title.
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