Chris Paul Has Already Started To Recruit LeBron To Houston

[NY Times] – Don’t get me wrong: There will still be plenty of talk over the next two weeks about what James will do July 1 and the growing belief that he’ll be leaving his home-state Cavaliers this offseason to join a team better suited to consistently challenge Golden State. Rest assured that the Rockets’ understandably devastated Chris Paul — who made a fast exit from Toyota Center late Monday night after being forced to watch the biggest game of his life from the bench because of his hamstring injury — has already begun his recruitment of James to Houston.

The season isn’t even over yet and we have our first Chris Paul is recruiting LeBron to Houston story. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely 0 to be surprised about here, but just the fact that it is coming out now and not after the Finals.

Paul and LeBron go back 15 years. They played together in the McDonald’s All-American game in 2003. They have been close friends since pretty much that time and make up part of the infamous banana boat picture. There were always rumors that Paul and LeBron would end up playing together. As Clem has talked about numerous times, many of us idiots actually thought the Knicks had a chance at getting both of them, especially after the toast at LeBron’s wedding.

Alas, this isn’t shocking because Daryl Morey and the Rockets have made it clear. Their goal is to beat the Warriors. That’s what they are concerned about. Morey talked about that last offseason. The entire focus of this team is to beat the Warriors. They know if that happens, the Rockets have a good chance of winning the NBA Finals. It’s the reason they went out and traded for Chris Paul this past offseason.

Now, will they be able to get LeBron? That’s where it gets a bit tricky. Morey will have to make some moves – most notably trying to get rid of Ryan Anderson’s contract as well as moving Eric Gordon to create enough cap space in order to get LeBron. They were able to make the room last year in order to get Paul, but it will be intriguing to see if Morey will be able to do it two years in a row.

As for LeBron, yes, it makes sense to leave for Houston and I wouldn’t blame him. He’s talked about wanting to play off the ball more. He will have that chance in Houston with Paul and Harden there. He has two other guys that can create and score, something he doesn’t have in Cleveland. Sure, moving to the West would be a risky move for him since he’s currently dominating the East, but the Rockets with him do pose a big challenge to the Warriors.

Now, I know people will get pissed about this, but if you’re LeBron – and take the hatred of him away- would you stay in Cleveland right now? Or would you go to Houston? Or Philly? I’d take my chances with Harden and Paul and get to play with one of my good friends. Oh, plus that whole no state tax thing is a plus.