Lebron should leave right now

By Danny Sternfield Sports Central Columnist

What if Lebron James left early? Not leave early like fellow superstar Carmelo Anthony did after one year of college, but leave early as in now -- right now. Think back to your last three weeks of high school. What did you really learn during that time? And how much fun is Lebron really going to have at his June 7 graduation? If the prep phenom decided to leave tomorrow -- in the middle of the school day, would it really be the worst thing in the world? When you stop and think about it, the idea doesn't seem so farfetched ...

Teacher: "Harris (here), Howard (here), James... James... James? Is Lebron here?"

Little Jimmy in the front row: "Uh, uh, he's not here."

Teacher: "Well, where is he? Was he at lunch?"

LJITFR: "Yeah. I saw his Hummer at Burger King."

If Lebron were to consider the first ever jump from science class to the NBA, it wouldn't be the first time Camp James toyed with such an idea. James and his mother were close last year to challenging the rule that prohibits a person from entering the NBA draft until after that person's high school class has graduated (Section 5(a) of NBA-NBPA collective bargaining agreement). The Saint Vincent-Saint Mary's star would have been drafted after his sophomore year, and many think he would have been the No. 1 overall pick in this past year's draft (after his junior year).

The NBA would probably oppose James' decision, but I'm not so sure David Stern wouldn't find a way to get the NBA's next big thing into the draft. If not, there's always the United States Basketball League (the USBL's Brevard Blue Ducks selected James 18th in their draft).

Teacher: "Little Jimmy, did Lebron say if he'd be in class this afternoon?"

LJITFR: "Uh, uh... he just stuck his head out the window and waved."

Teacher: "Did he say anything?"

LJITFR: "Yeah, he said 'I'm leaving early.'"

When James declared for the draft in late April of this year, it was clear he had already learned some valuable lessons in business. Specifically, James seemed skilled in the basic principles of marketing, promotions, and publicity, as evidenced by the LebronJames.com wallpaper that served as the backdrop for his press conference.

Sitting in class for three more weeks really doesn't do much for the guy nicknamed King James. It simply doesn't add value. What will James, a future millionaire who is sure to have at least one personal chef, get out of a home economics class? And does such a physical specimen like James really need to be burdened by gym class?

Instead of toiling away in high school, Lebron could be better spending his time working on his already solid game. Although it's hard to imagine, scouts see a weakness or two in Lebron's game.

He could hire one of those free throw gurus who work with Shaq to help improve his mediocre foul shooting. James could hang out in Cleveland and Denver to see which losing city he likes best.

Or maybe bond with his newly-chosen agent, Aaron Goodwin. The two could work on James' fake surprise reaction to being picked No. 1, or discuss the myriad of record-breaking endorsement deals that are forthcoming, or just bond in a Rod Tidwell/Jerry Maguire sort of way.

Regardless of what products James opts to endorse, he'll soon realize that Andre Agassi spoke the truth when he proclaimed, "Image is everything." That being said, Lebron could turn leaving high school early into a PR coup; he'll be able to say in a few years how important it is to "go back and get my degree." So what if he'll mean his GED.

Teacher: "It seems Lebron has left school early."

LJITFR: "Why can Lebron leave early, but we can't?"

Teacher: "Uh, Lebron's situation is special."

LJITFR: "I don't understand. You've always told us that a high school diploma is key to being successful, and that education is so important. And Lebron just left high school and everyone says he'll be rich soon. So is education not important if you win three consecutive Ohio Mr. Basketball awards, throw down ferocious windmill dunks, and hold your own in NBA scrimmages? I don't understand."

Teacher: Get back to work, Little Jimmy."

Article courtesy of Sports Central.