DAMAGE CONTROL

Okay, so the smoke is starting to clear surrounding the bomb dropped on national TV last July in the form of "The Decision." And interestingly enough the person who's doing the most reparation in the explosion's aftermath is the person who detonated it in the first place, Lebron James.

Of course we're well beyond the stages of diffusing the bomb but the recent winning and dominant play on the basketball court by the King himself has definitely bought time, lightened the load and justified (to a certain degree) his journey to Miami.

And to chronicle the genesis of his on-court resurrection, ironically it all began in Cleveland or the " scene of the crime." In facing his ex-team, city and organization for the first time since his summer exodus, Lebron put on a display not many that are playing or have played could manage to pull off. In an overwhelmingly dominant, emotional, but short effort (his services were only needed for 3 quarters in Miami's blowout) he was able to off-set, absorb and stand-up to every chant, boo, slur and epithet hurled from the hostile crowd (I know they heard Jay-Z's track "Reminder" running in their minds overtime Lebron was able to immediately make them quiet w/ a three-pointer or jump-shot swish). Even if you still didn't like Lebron after that game, you had to respect him.

The show didn't stop there of course as the win in Cleveland proved to galvanize the team's chemistry issues and serve as a catalyst for a massive winning streak. One of those wins came against the Knicks in a pseudo-"HomeComing" in New York. If you could only hear and listened to the games at Cleveland and New York, you'd be stymied to differentiate the home crowds. Rejected and heartbroken Knicks fans boo'd mercilessly every time he touched the rock and Lebron went un-phased. Final outcome in that game? Blowout in Madison Square Garden thanks to a triple-double by the "honorary degree" New Yorker. Next stop: Tinseltown.

Christmas Day against the defending champion Lakers. In cementing his reputation (in my mind) as the best performer in a "big" game that's NOT in a playoff series, he exposed Kobe's age and a disappointing listless LakeShow on a grand stage. Whispers in circles around the NBA/hood/work were finally starting to favor Lebron's way. You can't please everyone and I'm sure that's not Lebron's intention. But as an acute businessman, he's aware and cognitive that fan disapproval can damage his brand and inevitably affect his commerce. No he won't be dunking for burgers anytime soon, but every dollar counts.

And with that said, wouldn't it be a fantastic idea on Lebron's behalf to ENTER the 2011 DUNK CONTEST? It wouldn't have to be for the Benjamin's per se, but in a grand gesture of good will to the fans who wants answers or apologies. It would be a blanketed and non-verbal message to all the fans, critics, advocates and pundits. Being the historian of hoops that Lebron is, he knows anyone that was once considered to be the best player in the league have also won the dunk contest (i.e. Dr. J, Mike, Kobe). That has to gnaw at him.

But that's where theory meets reality. When skipping the dunk contest became en vogue by marquee players, urban legend suggested players being noncommittal because they didn't see monetary bonuses when the shoe they wore during the contest increased in sales and popularity. The common excuse nowadays is that the exhibition is a toll on the body and it's too much wear and tear. The REAL reality for Lebron this year would be the white elephant in the room; umm the light skin elephant: Blake Griffin.

It hasn't been a lot or lately that Lebron isn't the best anything on the court, but Blake Griffin competing in the Contest threatens that. If you had to back me against a corner right now and ask me who would win in a dream dunk contest matching Blake and Lebron, I would reluctantly say Blake. But the overall show and electricity that these two could generate would render no losers. A lot of healing and forgiveness from the fans would transpire if he committed to dunk contest. The issue for Lebron I guess, is sacrificing his ego (a potential loss of the battle to win the war). He's doing that now on a team level, I'm wondering if he's willing to do that individually. Stay tuned.