Brilliant or Insane?: LeBron

LeBron James is coming back to Cleveland

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Gotcha! You thought this post title meant that LeBron James had decided to rejoin his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he becomes a free agent after this season, didn't you?

If you love the idea of LeBron wearing the Wine and Gold again, let me apologize. If you hate the idea, you can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now.

LeBron James is coming back to Cleveland on Saturday to honor his former teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Big Z, as he was known during his playing days, is having his number retired by the Cavaliers, and LeBron is returning to Cleveland to support his friend, during his big night. At least, this is what LeBron's visit appears to represent.

Beneath the surface

It would be wonderful to assume that LeBron's only intentions for his quick trip to Cleveland are to celebrate this momentous occasion with Ilgauskas, who is the seventh player in Cavs history to have his number hung from the rafters of Quicken Loans Arena. One must wonder, though, if there isn't more to LeBron's visit.

Sure, NBA team executives can't discuss free agency with players, until the season ends, but we all know what can happen in a casual conversation. I can just envision this interlude between LeBron James and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert:

Gilbert: "Thanks for coming, LeBron. How's it feel to be back home?"

LeBron: "I wouldn't have missed Big Z's night for anything. It feels great to be here, especially with my boys in Akron being just down the road."

Gilbert: "You know, LeBron, the fans here still love you, and the guys on the team, especially Kyrie Irving, respect you so much. I know that love and respect means a lot to you."

LeBron: "For sure. That's what I want more than anything."

Gilbert: "Good. Well, hey, LeBron, you be sure to have a safe trip back to Miami, and why don't we have dinner when the season ends."

LeBron: "No doubt. I'll text you the second our season ends."

Is it possible that LeBron's visit is a precursor to re-signing with the Cavaliers? Or is he really just a very supportive friend?

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Mark Barnes is an education author and consultant and the publisher of Brilliant or Insane. Learn more about Mark on our Team page. Follow him on Twitter here.

Buy or Sell LeBron James as NBA's best all-time player

About six years ago, I wrote an article for Suite101, naming LeBron James one of the NBA's top 5 players of all time. In fact, as stated in the article, I placed King James at number 3, and he had been in the league for less than five years at that time.

The old version of that article received many comments, and most of them were less than kind to yours truly (Suite101 has removed old comments from its updated site). How could I place LeBron on such a lofty pedestal in such a short time, readers wondered.

Although the slant of this post is similar to the Suite101 article, the debate is fresh. With a decade of experience, four NBA MVPs and two NBA championships to his credit, it's time to pose the question: Is LeBron the best ever?

I'm selling LeBron James as the NBA's best all-time player

Based on my high ranking of LeBron years ago, it may seem strange that I'm not yet convinced that he's number 1 overall, considering his hefty laurels, and a good argument might convince me, because it's a very close call.

As I did years ago, I'm still going with Michael Jordan as the NBA's all-time best player.

Although Michael's and LeBron's statistics are similar, each better than the other in one or more areas, my Buy or Sell barometer measures so much more than statistics.

Even though LeBron James can rip an opponent's heart out faster than a zombie in The Walking Dead, Michael Jordan was even deadlier, when it came to snatching victory away from opponents and jubilance from opposing fans.

According to sketchy historical data, outlined here, Jordan hit 50 percent of his game-tying or game-winning playoff shots. By comparison, King James has hit slightly less than 42 percent in fewer attempts. Game winners is still just one more measuring tool, but a key one for me.

It's NBA Finals Game 7. The clock is winding down. 3, 2, 1. . . . You can have any player in history take this shot.

I'll take Michael Jordan, the NBA's best all-time player.

Who do you want?