Got My Bandwagon Ticket Ready!

Anyone who watches NBA basketball even a little bit, knows that one of the biggest discussions for the past few seasons is what superstar LeBron James will do when his contract runs out at the end of the upcoming 2009-2010 season.  More specifically, everyone is wondering whether or not he will leave his hometown Cleveland Caveliers for greener more concrete pastures in New York City.  The only thing us outsiders know is that the Knicks have done everything in their power to make LeBron happy, and have all but gotten rid of any trace of a superstar player, in order to free up money to pay King James.  All the while, Lebron has been hinting in interviews, award show and red carpet appearances, and Twitter updates that Manhattan will be his new Kingdom.  But as we all await his answer, the truth is that he has until July 1st, 2010 to officially announce his intentions.

Now being from Durham, North Carolina I have never officially declared a favorite NBA team.  I am a diehard Duke fan/Carolina Hater, and have been since I could talk.  But in the way of Professional sports teams, my state hasn’t exactly made it easy.  In 1988 we got the Charlotte Hornets, an army of B-listers that I tried to route for but could just never commit.  Then in 2001 they were sold to New Orleans and got good players.  That was the end of that.  Then in 2004, Michael Jordan and the guy that owned BET brought us the equally horrendous Charlotte Bobcats.  At 27 years old,  2 years deep into my stint as a New Yorker, and in a transitional time in my life where I was completely focused on figuring my life out (and not sports), I just couldn’t bring myself to care.

For the past few years, some native New Yorker friends of mine have included me in a small group that goes in on cheap Knicks tickets.   Because I can’t go to the Duke games like I used to in Durham, it cures my “jones” for live b-ball.  So a number of times I have asked myself  ”could I possibly just decide to be a Knicks fan?”  The problem is though I cheer for them when I attend games, I really have no emotional connection to the Knicks.  Sure, Duke’s Chris Duhon is a starter, and is really starting to find his niche as a Pro and a leader.  I’ve also been a New Yorker now for 7 years, I’m married, and neither of us have plans of ever leaving New York city.   So what could possibly push me over the edge and say “ok that’s it, I’m a Knicks fan?”  Well, I think I have found my answer ladies and gentlemen, and he goes by the name LeBron Raymone James.

Yes, you heard me right.  I am publicly declaring that if Bron-Bron joins the Knicks (which somehow I find highly unlikely), you can officially consider me a Knicks fan.  The bandwagon is leaving July 1st,  I already have a seat reserved, and it ain’t business class, baby.  Mr. Whutsiznaim is only riding in leather seats, that recline into a bed.  So tell the the wagon attendants to have my hot towels and champaign ready, cause I’m goin’ on a trip.  To my North Carolinians, sorry to sell out on you, but I never commit to those orange jersey wearing clowns, who are made up of like 50% UNC grads.   A man can only ride the suck train for so long.  I bid you adieu.  To LeBron, don’t mess this up for me.  I’ve never had an NBA team to route for, and it’s time.  Let’s go…..Knicks?