Welcome to Miami

LeBron James is the bravest man in basketball.

James, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, announced his intentions to suit up for the Miami Heat for the 2010-11 season on national television. A lot of fans and critics might suggest James slowly pushed a knife into the back of Cleveland. Some might see LeBron as an arrogant, self-centered and selfish individual after leaving his hometown.

Some see a man personally destroying a city's dreams. I see a man grabbing his future and altering it himself.

An important factor in LeBron's choice to team with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh is seemingly overlooked. The fact that the trio decided to write their own history is unheard of in the modern sports world.

Look, it would have been easy for LeBron to re-sign with the Cavs and wait around until some help finally arrived. Or he could have signed with the Heat where Wade and Bosh had already united and are driven to become NBA legends.

In sports, players sign with a franchise and hope that the white, middle-aged men upstairs make the right roster moves to give the team a shot at a title. What's overlooked is the athlete's ability to decide their future. Now the trio has pushed money and egos aside to write their own destiny.

LeBron has sat around in Cleveland for seven years waiting for a general manager to make the correct trades and free-agent signings. The beautiful result is that James, Wade and Bosh have practically said "Screw this! Let's unite and dominate the league. Let's show the world that WE can put together a title team."

Personally, I wanted James to stay in Cleveland. But you can't hate the man for wanting what every star in the NBA is ultimately judged on: Championships. LeBron knew he didn't have the help in Cleveland to win anytime soon, so he bolted for South Beach to join forces with a couple of true players.

And next up is the talk that James and Wade can't play together. If anybody truly believes two of the most unselfish players in the NBA will cease to survive on the court together is an absolute fool. Both players have consistently shown they have the ability to create for others.

Also, props to Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. Thanks to his quick response to James' decision, sports fans around the country now know his true personality. I understand the guy is frustrated after probably losing around $100 million in franchise value, but show some class. LeBron hoisted that team on his shoulders for seven years and was the sole reason Quicken Loans Arena sold out every game.

A part of me wants to feel sorrow for the city of Cleveland. But I can't muster the emotions for such a sad sports town. Instead of wishing the guy well and thanking him for bringing unforeseen excitement to an otherwise abysmal city, the entire town wants to burn his jerseys and the owner wants to question the guy's character?

I'm proud of LeBron for doing what was best for him. It was the biggest decision of his life and he wasn't afraid to disappoint his fans.

Selling the franchise

It's been a while ...

Standing on the cold tile of my kitchen floor with a box of cereal in each hand, I let out a big yawn before I made a choice that affected the rest of my day. Peanut Butter Crunch or Cheerios?

That is my life.

On the morning of July 1, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and a handful of elite NBA free agents woke up free to sign with any team. Multi-million dollar contracts, endorsements and championship rings are weighing on the choices these guys are soon to make.

This is their life.

It's obvious James' decision is the beginning of the domino trail. Where he decides to spend the prime of his career will help create some clearance with guys like Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudamire and Carlos Boozer.

There's no doubt LBJ has some serious pondering to do. There is a legitimate argument for at least four possible destinations: Cleveland, Chicago, New York and Miami.

Cleveland

LeBron has become one of the biggest stars on the planet over his seven seasons with the Cavaliers. He's earned his share of individual awards, but the Cavs have fallen short of championships.

Cleveland's current roster is full of big contracts, a lack of young talent and mediocre play — not exactly selling points for LeBron — but it's where home is. LBJ has always seemed like a genuine guy and I believe he truly cares about the city and the effect of his potential departure.

One punch Cleveland can throw is the ability to offer LeBron an extra year worth close to $30 million. Due to the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement, a player can receive a six-year deal from his former team compared to a five-year contract from competing bidders. I can't help but think James will decide with his heart and stay in Ohio.

Chicago

Out of the potential departures for King James, Chicago seems to be most logical choice. Already owners of a talented and youthful roster, the Bulls have the room to sign two maximum contract free-agents. If James ends up in the Windy City, you can bet one of those A-list free-agents are following.

I have a hard time believing LeBron wants to follow in another player's footsteps. Chicago fans still close their eyes and see Michael Jordan hoisting trophies and it would take a lot of titles for James to reach a higher pinnacle than Jordan in Chicago. James needs to continue to build his own legacy in his own city.

I'm not diminishing the Bulls chances of landing the King. It's obvious Chicago has the upper-hand when compared to other teams, excluding Cleveland. I'm not saying LeBron would not OWN the city of Chicago if he signs with them.

But, you can't argue that he becomes bigger than MJ without winning the amount of titles his Airness accumulated.

New York

If James inks a deal with the Knicks on July 8, there's chance he becomes the most hated man in the NBA. Signing with New York has become such a cliche in sports that most athletes who end up in the Big Apple with huge contracts are not normally accepted as a popular figure around the country.

Can you imagine the boos that would fall on James' head if he entered Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland with a Knicks jersey wrapped around his physique?

Gross.

Miami

The sound of LeBron and D-Wade together in South Beach is very appealing. If these two superstars decide to control their own destiny, who wouldn't want to sign with the Heat?

I would bet a team with James, Wade and 10 men rounded up at the local YMCA would put the rest of the league on high alert. We're talking about two of the top three players in NBA joining forces to help put rings on each others fingers. I can assure if James and Wade team up, free-agents will check themselves at the door and actually contemplate taking a pay cut to be a part of something extremely special.

Oh, and did I mention Florida doesn't own a personal income tax? Mention that to a multi-millionaire and watch them drool with dollar signs.

Get a grip

As a dedicated NFL fan, I couldn't help but notice Michael Vick's signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. The seven text messages and three voicemails didn't hurt, either.

I'm a loyal Eagles fan, so this move hit home in an extra special way.

Personally, I was excited over the move. With Vick's extreme athleticism, I'm thinking his presence will definitely be noticed by opposing defenses no matter where he's lining up.

I've openly been a supporter of Vick during his journey back to football. I never supported what he was convicted of, but I believed the man deserved a second opportunity. Vick's road is not over, though.

The majority of NFL fans have not and will not forgive Vick for his wrong doing. Slurs and negativity will be thrown at him faster than his own football throws. And he will never rid himself of the burden he has earned. Mike Vick will always be tied with dogfighting.

A problem many fans of the league are complaining of is that with Vick's reinstatement, some parents are worried that the NFL is setting a bad example by rewarding an awful act with another chance in front of the young fans. My answer: don't let your kids look up to Vick, or athletes in general.

And to PETA: get off of your white horse and slap yourself in the face. Your bloodsucking and ruthless ways are walking the fine line of slander.