Rooting for LeBron.

• Author: Zirin, Dave
• Position: Edge of Sports - LeBron James

It was a year ago that LeBron James shocked the world by telling us he was taking his talents to South Beach. It was the most publicized, scrutinized, and harshly criticized free agency decision in sports history. Some fans hated it because he was seen as stabbing Cleveland in the back. Others hated it because they saw LeBron shunning the chance to be "the man" in Chicago or New York. They resented that he was teaming up with Dwyane Wade and fellow All-Star Chris Bosh because he wanted, above all else, a shortcut to a title.

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LeBron's defenders had their own arguments. He took less money to play with his friends. Shouldn't that be admirable? If you were twenty-five and could live either in Cleveland or South Beach, what would you choose?

Perhaps the argument that both connected and rankled the most was made by the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who told an uncomfortable truth when he commented that LeBron was being treated like a "runaway slave." LeBron himself timidly put his toe in those waters when he said on CNN last summer that "there's always a race factor."

The great thing about sports, though, is that the answer wouldn't get settled by spin doctors or public relations flacks or the Koch brothers. We would find out on the court, and the ball does not lie.

We would also find out if the perils of the decision would change James himself. This is someone who once said that his goal in life was to be "a global icon . . . on the level of Muhammad Ali." Was this his time to find his political and basketball mojo?

On the court during the regular season, LeBron was nobody's second banana. He made first team All NBA, the only member of the Big Three to do so, averaging 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7 assists. James also shot a career-high 51 percent from the field. Given that he was playing with two other All-Stars, was asked to run the offense, and often guard the other team's best player, the numbers are simply remarkable. The team itself was less impressive. Occasionally, they looked like no one could hope to beat them. But often they...