But since he can't do it on the basketball court, he's got to find another method. As such, LeBron went on CNN's Larry King Live on Friday night to discuss his background and his future in the NBA.
He talked about the upcoming free agent class that officially hits the open market on July 1. He called himself "the ringleader." He talked about Chicago, about L.A., about his current hometown of Cleveland. He said that the Cavaliers, with whom he's spent the last seven ringless years, have the "edge" in this summer's sweepstakes, being the sentimental favorite.
Meanwhile, there's a series being played in Los Angeles.
The Celtics, who knocked LeBron and the Cavaliers out of the Eastern Conference playoffs a month ago, are now trailing the Lakers one game to none in the NBA Finals, and the series resumes with Game 2 on Sunday evening. But rather than talk about L.A.'s success in Game 1 and Boston's adjustments for the rest of this series, much of the national media has been preoccupied with the LeBron saga.
The Cavs parted ways Friday with Danny Ferry, their general manager for the last five years. Officially, his exit is being called a voluntary resignation, but you have to think that just as with any other personnel move the Cavs make under owner Dan Gilbert, LeBron was consulted. After all, he's the ringleader. He's always the one pulling the strings.
Even in June. Even when he's not playing.
Kobe Bryant, with his four championship rings and his relentless drive to win a fifth, is the game's Mr. June. LeBron is Mr. July.
But LeBron's not content to wait until July 1 to make himself the center of attention. He wants it now, and neither the Lakers nor Celtics get a say.
For Boston, this isn't a first. Think back to Oct. 28, 2007, when the Red Sox were six outs away from winning the World Series, and Alex Rodriguez reached an oddly-timed decision to opt out of his contract with the Yankees. Scott Boras released a statement expressing his client's uncertainty about the Yankees' future — and meanwhile, the Red Sox had history to make.
In either of these cases, it should be obvious which is the bigger story. Which means more — speculation about a personnel change that could, potentially, if everything works out, impact how a championship is won at some uncertain point in the future? Or the championship itself? Take your pick.
But this is America, and the big superstar always wins. Whether it's LeBron, A-Rod or anyone else, the big name brings in the big bucks.
The two stars are similar. They were both rich and famous at an unusually early age. They both faced high expectations from the very beginning. They both had to answer to hordes of media members wondering when — if ever — they could win a championship.
They're also both a little insecure and a little obsessed with their own images. They're more worried about their own legacies than the greater good of the game.
LeBron talked to Larry King on Friday night about all the suitors lining up to woo him to their respective cities. President Barack Obama vouched for Chicago; Mayor Michael Bloomberg for New York. Across the country, everyone's letting LeBron know that it's all about him.
But is it really? Is it all about LeBron right this second? Can't this all wait?
Why now, LeBron? Why?
Someday, we'll have good reason to talk about LeBron in June. It'll work out for him in due time — people grow up, they mature, they learn to become champions. It worked for A-Rod, eventually, and it could easily work for LeBron too, someday. Someday, we could see LeBron James win a championship.
But until he does, June belongs to the Celtics and Lakers. Just as it always has.
