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Celebrate the 16-year anniversary of LeBron James’ ‘The Decision’

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It feels like déjà vu. We’ve been here before. To be exact, it was 16 years ago.

A then-25-year-old LeBron James stopped the sports world as he sat down with longtime reporter and Emmy Award-winning journalist Jim Gray as he announced which team he would sign with as a free agent in a 75 minute-long special broadcast on ESPN titled “The Decision.”

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It was the birth of a infamous phrase uttered by James when he announced as a free agent in 2010 that he would sign with the Miami Heat.

“In this fall, man, this is very tough, in this fall I’m going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat,” James said in 2010.

That fateful day rocked the entire Cleveland, actually, Ohio fanbase. Tears were shed and No. 23 jerseys were lit to flames.

It wasn’t so much the decision announcement, and where, but rather how it was orchestrated that really ticked some people off. Some called it a waste of time, others said it was attention-seeking and self-centered, despite the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, being the benefactor of $2.5 million that the show raised.

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Now 16 years later, at age 41, James faces another free agency decision.

For those keeping record, it’s like the fourth decision, not counting the one to skip college and go straight to the league.

So, “The Decision” was a TV special on ESPN in 2010.

Years later in 2014, he went to print. He informed the sports landscape that he’d leave Miami and go back to Cleveland in quest of bringing an NBA title to the city by penning a first person essay titled “I’m Coming Home” published by Sports Illustrated on July 11. But for sequential purposes, we’ll call it “The Decision: Part II.”

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Another four years passed and in 2018, James would leave Cleveland for Los Angeles to play for the Lakers. This decision surprised everyone as it came on the first day of free agency. It was a different route from the usual stalling, anticipation tactics fans that were expected in previous years. He informed everyone, taking a page from Michael Jordan’s book with a simple press release statement through his agency, Klutch Sports Group. It’s unofficially “The Decision: Part III.”

After eight seasons with the Lakers, James is set to make another decision yet again, “The Decision: Part IV,” as he decides which team he’ll play for next season and potentially, the remainder of his career, whenever that’ll be.

It’s not really a matter of when but moreso, how? We’ve got a TV special, a sports magazine excerpt and a press release statement. We’ve got some ideas for how the fourth could even be better. So LeBron or Rich Paul, if you’re reading this, consider these options:

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LeBron James: See his rise from high school basketball standout to NBA legend

LeBron James, regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, entered the NBA straight out of high school as the number one pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Take a look back at the four-time NBA champ’s career from high school to the Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, back to Cleveland, and most recently with the Los Angeles Lakers.

(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)

How LeBron James should announce his free agency decision

It could be done through a basic press release again. But that’s no fun. A social media post is more personable, but still kind of bland. A TV special is a bit too much, although the charity proceeds aspect is highly commendable. Shameless pitch but the offer to pen an essay via USA TODAY Sports is always an option, too.

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But let’s have fun with it. Here are a few ways LeBron James should consider making his announcement to the sports world about his next team.

Let “Air Corgi” decide

Completely hit everyone from the blindside and allow the fluffy, viral sensation oddsmaker “Air Corgi” to make the decision. Whatever the dog decides is the team James chooses. It’s kind of roulette style.

Scavenger hunt in every potential city

Organize a scavenger hunt in all of the cities that James could potentially play in for fans to participate in. How would it work? Leave certain clues, have them solve riddles for answers that will ultimately let them know whether their city is chosen or not by the time the hunt is finished.

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Put it on a blimp

Remember in Ice Cube’s “It Was A Good Day” how he read his name on the lights of a Goodyear blimp? Yeah that’s what James should do. Have a Goodyear blimp cruise the air of whatever is the destined city and have the lights caption: “LeBron James: Coming to an arena near you.” Now if you really want to ruffle some feathers, do it for all 30 NBA teams, but have the phrase blink for the team you intend to play for.

Make a commercial

Everybody wants to know. Put a together a fun commercial with family and friends that tell a story of James’ career. In the commercial, have a collage of videos asking where James will go. Do it like he’s being drafted all over again, or a highly recruited high school standout that’s going to choose his college. Have him in a suit, lay out different hats or jerseys and make the selection. Make it a Nike or NBA commercial, so everybody eats.

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Tease it in a movie or TV show

Remember the days when prominent figures such as athletes, musicians and entertainers made cameos on sitcoms. Yeah, let’s get back that for this decision. Get creative.

Put it in a song

Hop on the track and give us 16 bars about the next destination. Jay-Z is your boy. Link with 2 Chainz. Or get with the artist or artists that best represent whichever city you choose. Thinking Cleveland? Phone Bone Thugz N Harmony, maybe Kid Cudi, or how about your guy Al Fatz (if you know, you know). Thinking Miami again? Tap in with DJ Khaled and Rick Ross. Philly? Grab Meek Mill. Let’s get creative. Going to the Bay? It’s only right that you hit E-40 or Too $hort, but consider Larry June.

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Hop on stream

Hop on someone’s stream and announce it. There’s plenty of streams James could join. Pick one. Kai Cenat, he’s back by the way and James has been a guest on his stream before. Neon just had Giannis Antetokounmpo on his stream, so maybe that’s an option. Whether James chooses the 76ers or not, hopping on Jaylen Brown’s stream for the announcement would definitely create buzz.

Banana Boat trip

We all remember the “iconic” banana boat trip. Take another banana boat trip, this time, with select individuals that represent a particular destination. Have someone snap a picture and let the narratives fly.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Celebrate the 16-year anniversary of LeBron James’ ‘The Decision’

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