Predicto

LeBron James. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, a quick walk around a sports store can quickly clue you in on who is the reigning MVP.

Ever since his rookie year in 2003, King James has been a force on the basketball court, taking the former cellar-dwelling Cavs to new heights and playing a key part in the U.S. Olympic basketball team’s gold medal win. He has earned big-name sponsorship endorsement deals with companies such as Nike and with last year’s earnings of $40.5 million, making him the third highest paid U.S. athlete today.

One thing, however, has eluded him: an NBA championship.

Few doubt he will hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy over his head one day, especially given his immense talent and physical prowess. But the title has yet to reach Cleveland. Fans expected 2009, his MVP season, to be the year he would come away with a championship ring, but the Cavs were unceremoniously trounced by the Orlando Magic en route to the NBA Finals. The team bounced back, recruiting NBA super center Shaquille O’Neal to help “win a ring for the king” and optimism was restored for the coming 2009-2010 campaign.

Following a crushing opening-day home defeat to title rivals the Boston Celtics, questions abounded if the team has enough to win it all. More questions loom as whether or not James, whose contract expires by the end of this season, will want to stay on with the Cavs.

One wonders if his loyalty to his home state of Ohio will prevail over possible big-money moves to other teams or to play for a team with enough talent to contest for an NBA title. Will LeBron stay or will he leave? Is it loyalty, money or glory that will prevail?

While this debate rages on, the Predicto Mobile community also takes the debate to the text message polls. After nearly 3,000 votes, the debate is in dead heat, with both sides neck and neck at 50%.

The fans of the Cavs believe that LeBron James has the best shot at winning a championship right where he is. Predicto player “skin10806” says “LeBron is close to getting a championship with the Cavs [and should stay] rather than going somewhere else and starting over.”

Other views on the quality of Cleveland’s team may haunt him this season and the chance to win a title elsewhere may be more tantalizing. Predicto member “capttoddE” believes he will leave, adding “LeBron has paid his dues with the Cavs. He deserves to be on a team that can go all the way.”

What do you think? Log on to Predicto.com and text in your vote today!