But later, Bill Simmons thought this idea couldn't go on at all, as having LeBron announce his "escape" in such a manner seemed unseemly, and it would surely cause a massive controversy. Furthermore, getting teams to openly recruit LeBron on live TV was unrealistic; no one would agree to take part in this "basketball dating show."
Bill Simmons decided to completely withdraw from the project.
Only afterwards did Jim Gray take over, but he simplified the show's content. There were no other teams involved, no debates, just LBJ making an unprecedented announcement of his decision on live TV, that much-anticipated decision.
Even so, the show was not without controversy.
As soon as the show plan emerged, NBA Commissioner David Stern personally approached ESPN hoping to cancel it, because he thought the impact of the show would give players too much say and would cause the balance of power, tilted by Roger for years, to completely topple toward the players.
