This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
LeBron James won a championship and nothing changed.
Sure, there were a few events. The obligatory champagne shower at his stall in the Miami Heat locker room. The parade before an estimated 400,000 fans. A pep rally at his high school. And Tuesday night brings the ultimate capper, the ring-and-banner ceremony just minutes before the start of a new season.
Then it begins again, another year, another quest for a title.
Having one title is not completely satisfying for James, who put the he-can't-win notion to rest when the Heat beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games for last season's NBA crown. It was a perfect run for the perennial All-Star: Besides getting engaged and winning his second Olympic gold, James walked away with the NBA's three most coveted trophies: MVP, Finals MVP and the championship.
For an encore, he wants more.
"I want to be the best of all-time," James said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It's that simple."
Around the Association
Mavericks • Owner Mark Cuban says no decision has been made about Delonte West's future with the team after the guard was suspended for the second time in two weeks. Cuban says there is still a chance West will play again with the Mavericks and that he will make the final call on that decision. West was suspended Thursday for conduct detrimental to the team.
Knicks • New York waived guard Chris Smith, cutting its roster to 19 players. The rookie from Louisville didn't appear in any preseason games after having surgery on his left patella tendon.