For the love of the money or the game?

 With all the superstar commotion over the past week, we should thank God that ESPN isn't stacked with a December "Decision" marathon featuring 1 hour specials with the likes of Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Albert Pujols announce the next club they will be playing for.

In lieu of Pujols inking a 10-year $254 million deal with the Angels, CP3's vetoed trade to the Lakers and Superman formally requesting the Magic for a change of setting, we have to wonder: are these athlete soap operas a trend that's doomed to continue?

LeBron James set a precedent with his "Decision" two summers ago, opting to leave his home state of Ohio to pursue a championship in Miami. Arguably the most talented player in the NBA and by far the most marketed, his choice to leave the Cavaliers and team up with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade set an example for other stars around the league. LeBron proved to the world that he would do whatever it took to win, even it meant leaving the place where he was loved and adorned the most by some of the most dedicated hard luck fans on the planet in Cleveland.

So did Lebron make the right decision? Well, the Heat got to the NBA finals in his first year with the team coming up just short to the Mavs in six games, faring much better than he ever did in his seven years with the Cavaliers. If his goal was truly to solely win an NBA championship, he certainly is in one of the best places to do just that: Win a championship for the city of Miami.

That last sentence might have thrown you off a bit. I don't think LeBron thought about it that way either. Perhaps he was too caught up worrying about winning a ring for himself than he was realizing what it means to a team, organization and community to hoist a Larry O'Brien Trophy. LeBron's whole decision, the process, the means, and the ends can all be summarized with one simple word: selfish.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how we can describe these trials of our modern day athletes. Are they playing for themselves, the money, the stardom, the fame, or are they playing for the communities that come out to support them night in and night out, their drive to see the success of everyone around them and most importantly, their love for the game.

Pujols ‘decision was one that came down to dollars and cents. Reminiscent of A-Rod's record deal with the Texas Rangers (who were at the time a perennial loser in the American League) ultimately is was more important for Pujols to sign for more cash (the Cardinals offered him $224 million for 10 years to the Angels $254) than finish his career with the team he spent the first 11 years of his career with, won two World Series rings in a St. Louis community where his name is held at the same stature as Stan Musial.

Paul however is in a stickier situation. He plays in an organization that is a complete mess. The Hornets have no true owner, a sporadic fan base and have David Stern to overcome when it comes to personnel moves. To the media's knowledge, Paul has not come out and openly requested to be traded, but his departure seems inevitable as he approaches the final year of his contract. There's nothing really for Paul to be loyal to in New Orleans and the team as is isn't good enough to contend for a championship, so it would be absurd to think he would consider resigning with the Hornets this offseason.

Howard's request to the Magic to be traded reminds me all too much of LeBron. It was just four years ago when he signed his contract extension and joked that he and Mickey Mouse would remain in Orlando for forever. Two years removed from a NBA finals sweep and an early exit from the playoffs last year, D12 wants out. After year's trades and signings to give the Magic the best shot at winning, he wants out. In an organization completely dedicated to winning a championship with a team built around him, he still wants out. That's a lot of work to implode, Dwight.

In all, athletes should have the right to make these decisions for themselves. Like LeBron remises in his "What Should I Do?" commercial, they aren't going to be who we want them to be. Lebron, Dwight, Pujols, CP3, Carmelo Anthony, A-Rod, Deron Williams, they are entitled to make the decisions that are best for themselves.

But just because we give these athletes the right to make their own choices on where they go doesn't mean we have to agree with them. LeBron will always be hated by a portion of the basketball community and will continue to be exposed by his until he stops having an identity crisis on the court and defers the ball to Wade down the stretch, like he did in Games 5 and 6 of the NBA Finals. (You are selfish LeBron, stop trying to convince the world that you aren't.)

It might be undermining the fabric of perfect competition in the NBA to watch players hop on large market teams to chase championships (Why is there no franchise tag Stern? Did you all do anything but complain during the lockout?), and watch the team with the deepest pockets stack their team in baseball every year (I don't even want to get in to the fact how disgusting it is that the MLB has no salary cap), but at the end of the day, athletes are mature adults just trying to successful just like anyone else. It's up to them to decide what they want to do, not us.