National Basketball Association

LeBron's cars say he's thinking New York

Published Jun. 29, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Free-agent fever is hitting a new high, and the only known cure seems to be more LeBron coverage. Is King James leaving for New York? Chicago? Miami?

Everyone from Mayor Bloomberg to media mogul David Geffen has wooed him, but LeBron still hasn’t dropped any hints as to where he’s leaning.

Fact is, LeBron could turn any of the teams into a powerhouse with his arrival, but the man's a self-described competitor who desperately wants a ring. He needs a strong team that can seal the deal at the Finals next year.

LeBron’s consolation prize for losing the semifinals has been to steal attention away from the Lakers and Celtics. That he’s enjoying the coverage so much suggests James also wants to grow his share of the NBA spotlight.

So, what will it be?

Cars are our passion, and after checking LeBron’s garage for some insight, we’re pretty confident he’s headed to New York.

The King may have traded in the Hummer that earned him so much controversy years ago, but he still maintains a love for flashy, expensive cars. Parked in his driveway right now is a $1.1 million fleet that includes a Maybach 57S, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Mercedes S63 AMG and Ferrari F430 Spider.

Each car's confident and in-your-face powerful, just like its owner. But the thing that stands out for us is LeBron’s affinity for big sedans.

Most NBA players have driveways full of sport utility vehicles and luxury coupes. The Chosen One’s garage is instead full of decadent luxury cars – the kind of stately rides you’d expect to see bankers and financiers rolling around in on their way to Wall Street.

Big luxury sedans are practically indigenous to Manhattan. They have a subtle, powerful presence that’s perfectly in step with New York’s business elite and old-money society.

Chicagoans have their Escalades and Angelenos have their Porsches, but Gothamites love the drama of arriving in a sleek black sedan.

That LeBron has a garage full of stretch four-doors says to us he aspires to chauffeur-driven glamour, and a chauffeured car is definitely the way to get around crowded Manhattan. Just ask LeBron’s Big Apple buddy, and fellow Maybach enthusiast, Jay-Z.

As for that Ferrari F430 Spider, we suspect it would make a perfect toy for weekends in the Hamptons.

Let's put it this way: LeBron may speak fondly of Cleveland, but his fleet of cars is shouting New York.