The Houston Rockets are considered one of the favorites to land LeBron James this summer, but their geographic location may put them at a disadvantage over some other teams.
In an appearance on ESPN LA’s “Afternoons with Marcellus & Travis” show Monday, Maria Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal shared an interesting piece of information about LeBron’s thoughts on the city of Houston.
“I think the teams that have been mentioned are desirable places to live,” Ridenour said. “I will tell you this — I heard this from his own lips when we were in Houston this season that he does not like Houston as a city. So, that would require him moving to a place he’s not crazy about.”
What makes that particularly interesting is that LeBron’s good friend Dwyane Wade said earlier this week that he believes James will prioritize “lifestyle” in choosing his next team.
“I think at this point in his life, it’s more so of a lifestyle thing of where my family is going to be the most comfortable and where I’m going to be the most happiest at,” Wade said on FOX Sports Radio, as transcribed by Anthony Chiang of the Palm Beach Post. “Because basketball wise, he’s so great that he can bring along and take along whoever.”
If you really want to start throwing theories around, you could note that LeBron is good friends with Chris Paul. There has been some talk that the Rockets may not want to give Paul a max contract this summer, so what if both LeBron and CP3 decided they prefer the Los Angeles lifestyle and want to sign with the Lakers?
It seems like LeBron’s easiest path to the NBA Finals will always be through the Eastern Conference, but one of his former teammates predicts that is not going to matter this summer. Unless the Cavs make some major moves to convince LeBron they can somehow dethrone the Warriors, he may decide it is finally time to get a bigger taste of the L.A. life.
