But what no one is mentioning at all is the fact that Chris Paul, much like Carmelo Anthony did last year and Dwight Howard is in the process of doing now, has completely hijacked his team and is forcing it to trade him where he wants regardless of what it gets in return or other consequences. How does this not bring down the wrath of societal morality in the same way it did on the head of Lebron James last year? Actually, there’s really no comparison between the two trios because Lebron (and Wade and Bosh) were free agents. Let me repeat that: Lebron James was an unrestricted free agent. In other words he had completely fulfilled his contract and had NO more obligations toward the team he’d formerly been signed by. He was free and unrestricted and therefore allowed to play WHEREVER he so chose. 
That’s the way the system is set up and I see nothing wrong with that. Take it from a guy who sees his favorite players walk away EVERY off season in free agency to the Nets (Alonzo Mourning), Red Sox (Manny Ramirez), Phillies (Jim Thome). Pretty much every good player the Indians or Browns develop either leaves via free agency after three to five years (or is traded away before he gets the chance) to the best teams in their respective leagues every off season. That’s sports. Sure it sucks, but do I hate those players who decided to leave? Of course not, that’s freaking stupid. The only players I hate are the ones who did horrible things to my favorite teams on the field: John Elway (actually, I hate the Broncos altogether), Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, The ‘97 Marlins, and ‘95 Braves. But, I don’t really HATE these people or teams, I only hate them in respect to my teams that they beat in key games/series. So, why do people hate Lebron? They feel betrayed? Well, anyone outside of Cleveland is certainly not allowed to use that as an excuse, but honestly, its laughable for Clevelanders too. Hell, the only reason Lebron was even on the Cavs (despite the fact that he’s from Ohio and grew up a fan) was because Cleveland was lucky enough to not only SUCK the year Lebron came out, but also win the draft lottery and get the #1 pick. If they hadn’t, James would have gone to a different team, hometown Ohio hero or not. He played for the Cavs for money. I’m sure he was happy to be there and genuinely wanted to bring a title to Cleveland, but he was/is first and foremost an employee. He owes nothing to the city of Cleveland, the Cavaliers as a team, and most especially the Cleveland fans. Why should he? Please tell me why? Do you owe this loyalty to the place where you work? If you had a better opportunity elsewhere you’re telling me you wouldn’t go? Why do you Clevelanders and all Lebron haters feel this weird entitlement??? Which only leaves the decision show. If that’s your reason for hating Lebron James, you’re fooling yourself and I can prove it. Ask yourself this: if Lebron had made his ‘Decision’ and it was to “Keep his talents on Lake Erie” would you still hate him? That's right, you WOULDN'T. Thus, it wasn’t the show itself, but only the fact that he headed to Miami. If Lebron had used the show to inform us he was staying in Cleveland the only thing that would be remembered about it was that it raised a few hundred thousand for underprivileged kids.
Thus, if you liked Lebron before he went to Miami, (unless you’re a Cavs fan) you’re pretty stupid for suddenly hating him after. And to the Cavs fans, you kinda need to get over it. Take a page from the St. Louis Cardinals who just lost a player to free agency that critics are calling the best to have played in the last 50 years. I bet there won’t be any Cavs type backlash. I’d further bet that when Pujols returns to play a game against the Cards (interleague of course), that the fans give him a standing O for his wonderful time there. Even though his team was sure they would resign him right until the moment he blindsided them by heading elsewhere. Even though he was on a championship team and left for no reason other then money (and Lebron took less money to have his best shot at a title).But, of course all this is beside the point because Pujols and James were unrestricted free agents with the ability to sigh wherever they desired. And they used that freedom. Chris Paul and Dwight Howard on the other hand have not played out their contracts yet. They are the property of their respective teams for one more year. However, they are manipulating the system in a far more devious and malicious manner (much like Carmelo did last year) and no one seems to have a problem with it. We even forget that despite the fact that James and Bosh were free agents they did sign-and-trades with their respective teams so that the Cavs and the Raptors got a bunch of draft choices. Yes, it allowed the Heat to get the players for an extra contract year, but they didn’t have to do that. They didn’t have to give those former teams a single thing. But, the players and the Heat are class acts. Howard, Melo, and CP3? Not so classy. Yet, no one has any problem with them. In fact, we feel bad for Chris Paul because the League vetoed his trade! Niether he nor the others will be booed when they come to town with their new team. They won’t be despised (probably not even by people in Denver, Orlando, or New Orleans). No one will burn their jerseys or make signs with language that can’t be displayed on TV. Actually, I think I should stop for a moment and ask “What is fucking wrong with people?”.
Does anyone even REMEMBER the above photo???But, I’m not simply someone who will bitch about things without offering suggestions on how to fix them.
What if the only way a player can sign a max contract or even a near max (say anything over 12 million a year) is with the guarantee that he has to stay with the team he’s on and re-up every time his contract expires. If that player decides he wants to leave he has to inform the team during the off season before his last year and at that time the contract reverts to 40% of its value (but not in trade value (meaning that in a trade the other team would still have to give up the full value of the original contract)) and they’re allowed to become unrestricted free agents at years end. This way, the team knows a full year in advance that they have to make arrangements for either replacing him after that year or trading him AND the teams gets the 60% in cap space to use to help them out immediately. Star players will REALLY have to want to leave their team (which is fine) but owners are at least somewhat protected. Maybe the teams even get a sandwich draft choice (and cap allowance for signing) when those types of players leave as well? Perhaps not a perfect idea, but maybe a good start.
Ok, rant over…
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