Comfort isn't what a guy like Lebron necessarily wants. No doubt he wants a chip, first and foremost. Beyond that, it would be a safe bet that he wants to cement a lasting legacy, like MJ, one that will be remarked about for generations. Perhaps most of all he wants to be challenged, he wants to rise to new heights of accomplishment (e.g., restoring basketball supremacy to New York at MSG).
As for loving his teammates, that would be just as much a feeling for him in the Garden, because he leads men to achieve greatness. You can't do that if you don't love and trust your teammates and get the love in return. That's why it was imperative for Donnie to get rid of all the "Hooray for me" guys on the roster. We only need guys with basketball IQ, who can shoot, play D, and be selfless. Guys who buy into the "team first" concept, such as espoused in Riley's book from a few years back ("Winner Within"?).
As for being beloved, Lebron has already stated publicly his awareness that there is no place better than MSG to experience that feeling. And that's on us. We adored the Knicks during the Patrick era because they brought it every game and competed every year with intensity and determination. Personally, that is preferable for me as a fan than a one-and-done chip (e.g., Florida Marlins come to mind, if you'll pardon the baseball analogy). We rue the current Knicks because they are the last vestige of the Jimmy Dolan era, one of focus on the bottom line first and the fans last (that bitch).
The Knicks represent a shot at all of the above. Not sure he could get all three at Cleveland, especially if he is already "comfortable" there.
2/12/2010 2:10 PM