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The Summer of Answers takes on every NBA question you've ever wanted to ask ... such as, "Which player would you build a franchise around?"
It's a no-brainer that LeBron James would end up on this list. Hell, it's probably a no-brainer that he'd be in the top two or three. The question is, though, how much can we still see the King as tantalizing potential? Will he get better, or are we closing in on the final product? LeBron is the stem cell research of franchise-building; his value depends on how much real basketball matter can be wrung out of him.
Pros: Where to start? He has the body of a basketball god, unreal court vision, and athleticism to match anyone in the league. If James drives the lane, he's going to get some points, somehow; if his teammates saw his passes coming, he might lead the league in assists from the wing. He could bang in the paint, run an offense, or develop a deadly mid-range game. In theory, LeBron James could do anything for a team, and he's still only twenty-two.
Cons: James has now been in the league for four seasons. His defense remains spotty, he settles for jumpers too often, he would destroy the world with some legit post moves, and his shooting form has been all over the place. Not to mention his free throws, which have gotten worse over time. The playoff massacre of the Pistons has quieted some of the questions about his heart or leadership, but LeBron is far from well-rounded--much less perfect.
Final Verdict: Tim Duncan may be winning now, but James is younger. And while Duncan is easy to build around, James can (could) switch his role to suit his teammates. For the practical man, LeBron over Dwyane Wade is a tough one. Wade has heart for days, but is also more likely to break down. The dreamer will always go with James, since he could wake up the next morning and decided to play Magic for a decade. It's that mix of potential and actual that places him so high on the list, but it's also what keeps James locked out of the top spot.
NBA Cornerstones:
Kobe is the Biggest Cornerstone
Wade is the 3rd Biggest Cornerstone
Duncan is the 4th Biggest Cornerstone
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