Two Kings, 2 Cities, 1 Goal

One king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns; these are the pieces that make up a chess game for each player. Capturing the opponents King is the holy grail of the game. The King’s imminent capture results in a “checkmate” warning by the opposing player. Adept with the ability to move in any direction, including diagonally and to any adjacent square that is not attacked by an opponent's piece or pawn, the King is the most important chess piece.

Chess or sovereign states aside, every discipline hints at a quintessential figure they refer to as “King”. Most are conferred, some are self-acclaimed. In the music world, Michael Jackson is to Pop, what Jay z is to Rap – King. The sporting world has its own version of supreme performers that are always on the move not for the want of shunning battles but rather for the sake of competing at the highest level and setting records in the process. Step up Basketball’s Lebron James and Football's Cristiano Ronaldo !! 

Lebron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

It will go down as undoubtedly the most tranquil free agency decision Lebron James has had to make since entering the league as a rookie in 2003. This time around it has been devoid of past controversies; neither has there been a repeat of his infamous live televised documentary on ESPN in 2010 dubbed “The Decision” ( to join the Miami Heat) nor a letter via Sports Illustrated with the catchy caption “I am coming home” in 2014 (to rejoin the Cavs).

 So after 15 seasons, LeBron James has finally bid adieu to the pretty dormant Eastern Conference and yelled “Salut” at the “wild wild” Western Conference to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. His stellar career in the East has garnered 3 NBA championships, 4 NBA season MVP and 3 NBA Finals MVP awards, 14 NBA All Star appearances and host of extraordinary accolades. Hip Hop artist J Cole rapped “When the odds ain't great some fold and break, while greats let the dreams of a ring motivate”. The King has defied the NBA odds on countless occasions; The Cav’s  had amassed a league-worst 97 Wins –215 Losses record in the four seasons following his departure to the Heat (where alongside Wade and Bosh won 2 NBA championships) .His return engendered a string of sensational performances that included consecutive NBA final appearances and ultimately an NBA Championship in 2016, won in unprecedented fashion. The Cavs became the 1^st and only team in NBA history to come back from a 3–1 series deficit in the Finals. It was also Cleveland’s first championship in major professional sports since 1964, signaling the end of the so-called 52 year Cleveland sports curse.

For a franchise that boasts of 16 NBA championships and iconic figures like the legendary Zen master Phil Jackson, Show time renowned Magic Johnson and the terrific 3-peat achieving duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, success has taken a nose dive. The Lakers haven’t even made the playoff since the 2012/13 season. The Western Conference on the other hand is loaded with championship contenders; forget about the all-star studded Golden State Warriors. There still lingers the ever present Coach Greg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs, James Harden/Chris Paul ambitious Houston Rockets and also the Russell Westbrook & Paul George inspired OKC Thunder. 

At age 34, skeptics have questioned The King’s motive for signing up with the L.A Lakers, viewing it as a move to oversee his numerous business ventures in the city and not for the want of necessarily winning another championship.

Well, If The King has made it at Cleveland he can make it anywhere!!

 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

From the obscurity of Madeira through a transit at (Sporting) Lisbon, it only took a 45 minutes dazzling cameo and a dizzy John O’Shea to convince Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo was the real deal. A move to the upper echelons of Manchester ensued after. His time at Manchester United is well documented for all the right reasons; a spectacular professional with a dedicated attitude. The chutzpah of the prodigy knew no bounds. Was it the sublime goal vs. Porto that won him the maiden Fifa Puskas Award in 2009? Or maybe the free kick vs. Portsmouth which even some cynics believe defied the law of physics? Oh wait! Perhaps it was finally being crowned the World Player of the Year in 2008. A feat a host of premier league icons (Cantona, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, and Dennis Bergkamp) tried but failed to achieve.  After conquering England, Real Madrid came calling with a then world record fee of £80 million in 2009. Till date most pundits and fans alike think Manchester United were short-changed considering the remarkable stats and achievements Ronaldo achieved in Madrid.

In an epoch (2009-2012) where footballing standards were ascribed to Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barca, Ronaldo found himself playing second fiddle to rival Lionel Messi both trophy-wise and accolade-wise.  The Ballon D’or stat sheet  read 4-1 in favour of the diminutive Argentine by the end 2013.Renowned Clubs are defined by marquee moments thus the acquisitions of Coach Ancelloti and winger Bale in 2014, proved a masterstroke; The much awaited champions league title (La Decima) finally came to fruition. Further trophy laden successes followed. The pick of the bunch; Portugal’s unexpected Euro 2016 triumph. A feat Portuguese legends in the ilk of Eusebio, Figo, Pauletta and Deco never achieved. Also, the 3-peat Champions League win masterminded by tactician Zinedine Zidane may never be unmatched. His 9 unforgettable seasons are bedizened with, 16 titles, 451 goals in 438 games (an average of 1.03 goals per game), 4 Ballon D’ors, 4 European golden Boots and the all-time record goal scorer for Real Madrid, Portugal and in European club competitions.  He is just a Luka Modric "world cup overwhelming sympathy vote away" from registering his 6^th Ballon D’or award.

 Considering the prices flying around for bang average players in the modern-day transfer window, 112 million euros accepted by Real Madrid from Juventus looks a decent fee. Off the field the Bianconeri are experiencing a remarkable upsurge in ticket, jersey and club paraphernalia sales since his arrival. However, they will hope same is reciprocated on the pitch, especially in the Champions League to end their 21 year old drought.

 As J.K Rowling rightly summed it up in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince “Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies” there is no need to worry because  

You can be cocky, uppity and be the very best ……. just ask the greatest ever European goal scorer, not Thierry Henry nor Raul Gonzalez but definitely King Cristiano Ronaldo!!!

Twitter @Terence__Wood