Why couldn’t LeBron James be Mark Price?

As LeBron James leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second time, it’s fair to ask: Why couldn’t he be more like Mark Price?

LeBron James left Cleveland…again.

Some are at peace. Others are peeved. Either way, you’re right! So, congratulations.

LeBron delivered for the city of Cleveland like other other athlete since 1964.

LeBron’s “Block”  and memories from the 2016 NBA Championship win over the Warriors will be passed down to younger generations. The more time passes, the more LeBron’s legend will grow.

James leaves again after setting out what he came to do when he returned in 2014, yet there’s still plenty reason to be salty.

Cavs’ great Mark Price offered Cleveland some well wishes after the news of James’ decision broke.

I kept thinking to myself: Why couldn’t James be more like Price?

The scrappy All-Star point guard loved being a Cavalier, and fans just knew it.

Before James, Price was the Bee’s Knees when it came to Cavalier fandom.

Other cities had their civic icons as well with greater legacies than price. Boston had Larry Bird. The Lakers had Magic Johnson. The Bulls had Michael Jordan.

Fans showed James the same kind of love these legends received on a nightly basis, it just doesn’t seem he embraced Cavaliers’ nation the way these other superstars took to their towns.

Look no further than James leaving twice!

Or how about the fact that the longest contracts he signed were with the Heat and Lakers, despite playing 11 of his 15 seasons with the Wine & Gold?

It just always seemed to be about James and there’s no doubt, it’s left a good sect of the fan base fatigued. His short contracts since returning in 2014 have left the Cavaliers in financial ruin, again.

Who exactly were the Cavs’ competing against to re-sign J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson? No one. Yet they were paid handsomely. Smith and Thompson are repeated by Klutch Sports, who is run by LeBron’s friend and agent, Rich Paul.

Keep LeBron happy. That was motto day-in, day-out and it led to countless amounts of drama surrounding when James would leave again.

Hey, it’s the cost of doing business with James on your roster. You cash in all of your chips because your franchise is transformed by his presence. It paid off for the Cavs. Four trips to the Finals? One championship.

Ask Price Austin Carr if he’d take that deal.

But James signing with the Lakers can be perceived as another example of a “James first” trend, something that can never be said of Price.

After all the drama and speculation, James had a chance to make good on his word that he would finish his career in Cleveland by finally signing a long-term, five-year, $206 million contract with his hometown team.

But he didn’t.

LeBron’s older. He’s played more games than he has left in his career. Priorities change, too. LeBron Jr. is going to ball with Scottie Pippen‘s and Kenyon Martin‘s kids on some ultimate California prep high school team in a year, according to Gary Payton. James has a production company that actually makes television shows.

Some said James’ move would be about lifestyle, and they appear to be right.

But he chose…the Lakers!? Why, because they apparently don’t have enough historically great players.

James’ had the chance to take his basketball legacy in Cleveland to heights unknown, and all he did was leave Cleveland fans scratching their heads.

Lonzo and Lavar Ball…that’s what your choosing over the Cavs? And say, what? The Lakers, whose fans haven’t had to deal with your drama and cryptic messages the past four years get you to sign a max?

If you’re counting, and believe me, I am, that’s two occasions that the Cavaliers offered LeBron an additional year and more money to stay in his hometown. It’s how the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement is set up to work. Smaller and not-as-popular markets have the leg up when it comes to keeping players because they can pay more.

At the very least, LeBron could’ve joined up with a squad that had a shot of beating the Warriors.

James’ legacy in the Cleveland-Akron region is secure, especially off the court. He delivered in between the lines as well as off the court. Through his family foundation, James has done things to better the community that most don’t even know about. He’s set to open a public school in Akron. Many athletes have causes, but few have the reach of James’ philanthropic arm.

And from a basketball standpoint, all will be forgotten. Time cures all wounds, especially when a championship is on the books to fight off hard feelings.

As LeBron ages continues to have a presence in northeast Ohio, he’ll be celebrated and remembered much like Jim Brown is now.

Next: 4 ways losing LeBron impacts the Cavs

For some though, leaving twice and the way he went about his contracts during this second reign will always be in the back of our minds as we wonder, “Why couldn’t he have been more like Mark Price.”