Thoughts on LeBron’s Decision

Though I thought is a bit ridiculous that an entire show was devoted to the announcement of Lebron Jame’s decision (maybe I should capitalize that ‘D’), I was, of course, tuned in for more or less the entire time. I missed a little bit of the action because there was a good episode of Matlock on the Hallmark movie channel. I used to watch Matlock all the time and couldn’t help but check the episode out even though I knew the outcome. But I digress. Or maybe I don’t.

Anyhow, more than anything else, I really walked away saddened by the entire thing. I honestly felt sorry for James, because of the intense pressure he was under with this decision. So many people’s hopes were wrapped up in him. No doubt because of his dollar and entertainment value, two things most Americans hold way too dear. And you can’t help but feel bad for Cleveland. That city has had it tough when it comes to sports, though this serves as yet another example of why we must be very careful not to put too much hope in a human being.

All that being said, there was one thing that LeBron said that really stood out to me (so much so that I had to make a blog post out of it…and that is saying something as of late). When asked what helped him most with his decision, he said it was his Mom who said that he had to make the decision that he believed was best for him, because no one else was going to bear the consequences of it but him.

Allow me to make a few comments.

First, it is partly true and alright in its own respect. He will have to bear the ultimate consequences for his decision, even though his decision certainly directly and indirectly affects a lot of people. And certainly, it’s usually not wise to go somewhere that you really don’t want to go or decide on a course of action that is repulsive to you. Pursuing your own happiness is not necessarily wrong.

Second, though it has some truth to it, I am inclined to believe that it is not the best advice to give someone making such a big decision. The reason is that no ones live unto themselves or dies unto themselves. The decisions we make can’t just be about us, because ultimately, they aren’t just about us. Though on the surface, it might seem like wisdom, it is not really wise to say that we decide best when we think most about ourselves. Or that we see clearest when we think most about our own happiness.

The reason this is true is that what we think will make us most happy often isn’t what really makes us most happy. In this context, it seems that LeBron believes he will be most happy where he has the most chance to win the most championships. Clearly, he said that he values winning more than the money. And his decision supports that. But will winning be enough? I’m not so sure.

So what would be enough? I can’t help but ask myself that question. If I were sitting in his shoes, what question would I ask myself and others in order to gain the clarity of thought I desire? Indeed, what question should I continually be asking myself now?

One keeps coming to mind: Where can I do the most good for the most people?

I am sure there are others you can ask, but in the end, I think this is a good question to continually return to. The reason I believe so is because I believe that contrary to popular opinion, spreading the most happiness is the means to finding the most happiness. Where can you do the most good for the most people? Wherever that is, it is probably the happiest place to be.

From a Christian perspective, we don’t neglect our desire for happiness. No way. We just say that happiness is not found in living unto yourself, but in using the gifts you have to serve the greatest good of the most people. What that means for LeBron, I frankly don’t know. He still may have ended up in Miami or could have legitimately gone a number of different places. Or stayed. Whatever. All I really know is that it is still a great question to ask.

Third and finally, I have had to keep asking myself: How would you like LeBron to have responded in this situation? What would have been most refreshing to you and good for the world in general?

One thing I know is that I am not refreshed by LeBron placing more emphasis on winning that money. The talking heads have already made a big deal out of this, but I am having difficulty understanding how the pursuit of winning is more worthy than the pursuit of money. How have we reached the point that the pursuit of winning over money (though he isn’t losing much if anything at all by the way) is now a worthy thing?

That being said, I think I would have become a devoted LeBron fan if he had used this show as his soapbox or for that matter, his pulpit. I think I would have jumped up and down on my couch if LeBron just said, “Jim Gray, thanks for your prepared questions and everything, but allow me to take a moment in order to address a few things. For the past however many months, there has been countless speculation about my decision and what is driving my decision. So I first off want to say that in the end, my worldwide brand, multiple championships and personal basketball legacy really aren’t that big of a deal. They don’t define me. They aren’t the reason I play. Contrary to popular belief, that is not what I am all about. And I am glad, because all of us value these things way too much.

I love the game of basketball and my desire is to enjoy it and play it to the best of my ability not simply to make money or to win, but to spread joy. Not only that, but I want to use the opportunities being a great basketball player gives me to do the same in other areas of life. In the end, what’s the big deal if I never win a championship? Does that make me a failure? Does that make me less of a man? Somehow we all think so, but I just want to take this opportunity to say that if we believe all of that, we believe a lie. It’s nonsense. What I do as a basketball player doesn’t define me.

So I have come to this decision. And I have made this decision knowing that I don’t know everything, so that I cannot be completely, 100% sure that it is the perfect call. But here I go. I have decided to play in…”

And if he said Miami and Jim Gray asks him why, he can make it simple and say, “Listen, it is going to be very difficult not playing in Cleveland, but the reality is that I believe I can enjoy the game most and play it best for the joy of most people by enjoying it and playing it alongside a few of my highly talented friends. It is something we always spoke of, so I am excited to take a shot at it.”

And if he said I am staying in Cleveland and Jim Gray asked him why, he could say, “Listen, it was a very difficult decision, but I have decided to stay in Cleveland and I am committed to being here whether we win a championship or not. I will strive for it, but if I never win one, so be it. My aim is to serve people well here, championship or not. If you think I am less a man for caring less about winning that others, well, I tend to think you are less a man for caring about winning too much. So we are even.”

And on and on it could go. And of course, I would love for him to ultimate say that he doesn’t care about all these things as much as most other people do because his identity is found in Jesus Christ. And that through Him, he is free from the need to win, though he certainly still wants to win. Now that would be about as good as I can imagine.

Could you imagine it? Could you imagine an athlete standing up and saying that? I tend to think it would have been good for him and indeed, the entire world. Don’t you?

But it didn’t happen. And it probably won’t. Which leaves me longing for a better day that the Lord promises is soon to come. A perfect day that keeps getting better forever. And desiring that day is the best place to be. So in that respect, the entire show served me well.